Advertisement

Queensland win thriller in fiery State of Origin finale

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Ben Hunt (pictured) points after the Maroons score against New South Wales.
The Maroons clinched a thrilling Game Three in State of Origin, despite losing the series 2-1 to NSW. (Getty Images)

There is no such thing as a dead-rubber in State of Origin after Queensland won a fiery 20-18 battle against NSW, despite the Blues winning the series 2-1.

Despite a large majority of the crowd appearing in Blues jerseys on the Gold Coast and cheering on the series winner, the Maroons took an 8-6 lead into half time.

'WHAT'S GOING ON': State of Origin rocked by 'ugly' scenes before kick-off

'DIDN'T THINK': Dragons star's damning revelation about Covid breach

ANALYSIS: Rugby league fans don't buy the tears of 'sorry' stars

A Maroons penalty opened the scoring, before Latrell Mitchel scored to put the Blues 6-2 ahead.

But Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, also known as The Hammer, scored on debut to give a gutsy Maroons outfit a well-deserved 8-6 lead in Game Three.

However, it was the Blues that came out firing in the second half.

Five-eight Jack Wighton, making his first start of the series, threw a dummy and charged over to give the Blues the lead.

However, in a rollercoaster match, Ben Hunt replied with a double to cap off a brilliant return to the Origin arena for the Dragons star.

The series winner's replied immediately with debutant Api Koroisau charging onto a Mitchell Moses kick to put NSW within two.

Ben Hunt celebrates with team mates after scoring his second try during game three of the 2021 State of Origin Series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.
Ben Hunt celebrates with team mates after scoring his second try during game three of the 2021 State of Origin Series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) (Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images)

And to top off the thrilling encounter, NSW received a penalty just beyond the halfway line in the 77th minute.

Mitchell kicked for goal to level the score, but the attempt fell agonisingly short and the Maroons claimed the final match of the series.

Scuffle breaks out after Maroons win

Following the 80 minutes, a scuffle broke out as tempers continued to flare from a frustrated NSW outfit.

But the referee officially ended the match with NSW lifting the shield in celebration.

Due to Covid-19, NSW didn't play a game at home.

However, the shield will return to a strong Blues outfit who will look to build on a brilliant series next year with their young squad.

Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.