Blue-ribbon win! Amazing scenes as NSW score try in the dying seconds to overcome courageous Queensland and secure first back-to-back Origin titles since 2005
- Final State of Origin clash went right down to the wire before NSW sealed win
- Flying fullback James Tedesco scored a try right on fulltime for 26-20 victory
- Protest against the national anthem continued during build up to third game
- Seesawing clash saw the teams trade scores before heading to halftime at 8-all
The deciding State of Origin clash has gone right down to the wire, as a James Tedesco try in the last play of the game sealed a thrilling win for New South Wales.
The teams traded scores through the final game of the series at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday night before a Blake Ferguson break up the sideline was finished off by flying fullback Tedesco to give the Blues their first back-to-back series wins since 2005.
NSW took an early lead in the game through a penalty goal to James Maloney before Felise Kaufusi scored the first try of the game for Queensland.
The deciding State of Origin clash has gone right down to the wire, as a James Tedesco try in the last play of the game sealed a thrilling win for New South Wales. Pictured: Josh Addo-Carr celebrates
The teams traded scores through the final game of the series at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday night. Pictured: A grumpy Josh McGuire watches a replay
NSW fullback James Tedesco (pictured) crashed over in the left-hand corner 10 minutes after halftime to regain the lead for his side
Paul Vaughan muscled his way through three defenders to even up the scores just before halftime
Kaufusi latched onto a clever Corey Norman grubber to score Queensland's first points.
The try was converted, giving the Maroons an early 6-2 lead.
After a series of penalties, Ethan Lowe kicked a penalty for Queensland to push the lead out to 8-2 after 30 minutes.
Paul Vaughan hit back for NSW as the front-rower dotted down just before halftime to level the scores.
Vaughan muscled his way through three Queensland defenders to make it 8-all.
NSW fullback James Tedesco crashed over in the left-hand corner 10 minutes into the second half to regain the lead for his side.
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Hooker Damien Cook scooted out of dummy half with 20 minutes to go and used his speed to swerve past Maroons fullback Cameron Munster and extend NSW's advantage to 20-8.
With 10 minutes left in the contest, constant pressure from Queensland resulted in points as forward Josh McGuire slid over near the posts to give his side a fighting chance at 20-14.
Debutant Ethan Lowe charged down a James Maloney kick, giving Queensland a set with prime field position.
Josh Papalii brushed off Maloney's attempted tackle to cruise through to the line and set up a thrilling finish.
Lowe's conversion again brought the scores level, this time at 20-20.
Tedesco's score right on fulltime won the game and the series for NSW, sealing the decider 26-20.
Felise Kaufusi (centre) opened the scoring for Queensland by pouncing on a clever grubber kick
A protest against the national anthem has continued during the build up to the third and deciding State of Origin game
Seven players including Josh Addo-Carr (pictured) refused to sing 'Advance Australia Fair' as New South Wales and Queensland lined up for the anthem at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday night
A group of Indigenous and Pacific Island players from both sides did not sing the anthem in the two previous games in the series
Frustrated fans and former players took to social media to complain about the referees, saying there were too many penalties being called.
'These penalties are a gee up for both teams, fans and the game!' former NSW captain Kurt Gidley tweeted.
Commentator Phil Gould complained about a penalty against NSW enforcer Tyson Frizell.
Frizell was pinged for diving into Dane Gagai, but Gould saw it differently.
'He had no effect on it,' Gould said.
'We don't come to see how good the referees, referee. We come to see how well these great players play the game.'
Michael Morgan suffered a nasty knock in the second half, connecting with the elbow of teammate Josh McGuire.
Morgan was knocked out before he hit the ground, and was seen twitching on the field.
Michael Morgan suffered a nasty knock in the second half, connecting with the elbow of teammate Josh McGuire
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was spotted in the crowd wearing a NSW scarf, watching the game with ARL chairman Peter Beattie and NRL boss Todd Greenberg
A sold-out crowd of more than 80,000 packed into ANZ Stadium for the deciding game of the 2019 State of Origin series
Moses Mbye clashes with James Maloney during game three at ANZ Stadium
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was spotted in the crowd wearing a NSW scarf, watching the game with ARL chairman Peter Beattie and NRL boss Todd Greenberg.
A protest against the national anthem has continued during the build up to the third and deciding State of Origin game.
Seven players refused to sing 'Advance Australia Fair' as New South Wales and Queensland lined up for the anthem.
A group of Indigenous and Pacific Island players from both sides did not sing the anthem in the two previous games in the series.
Before the series opener in Brisbane, Blues teammates Josh Addo-Carr and Cody Walker vowed not to sing the national anthem.
'The anthem doesn't represent us as Indigenous people. We have to change it,' Addo-Carr told the Sydney Morning Herald.
'I am a proud Australian man but a proud Indigenous man, too. If it's not going to stand for my people, why should I sing it?'
Felise Kaufusi's (pictured) try gave Queensland the lead after James Maloney's penalty goal for NSW
Queensland were hoping to cause an upset at ANZ Stadium by defeating the home team in the series decider. Pictured: Corey Oates of Queensland gets tangled up in a tackle
Walker said not singing the anthem was him expressing his 'opinion'.
'I'm not pushing my views on anyone, it's just how me and my family have grown up and how I feel. I've already voiced my opinion, and I want to reiterate it's just my opinion,' he said.
NSW are favourites to take out the series but Queensland will be hoping more than a decade of dominance over their interstate rivals will continue on Wednesday night.
Tom Trbojevic of the Blues is tackled during game three of the 2019 State of Origin series
Queensland assistant coach Justin Hodges admitted the Maroons were hurting from the 38-6 game two rout in Perth, but kept up the mind games when he pointed out Queensland's record in Origin deciders.
The Maroons have won 13 deciders compared to NSW's four, including the past seven.
And they have claimed the past two deciders in Sydney - in 2008 and 2013.
'Over the last 10 to 14 years our record has been better down here,' Hodges said.
James Tedesco of the Blues is tackled by Josh McGuire of the Maroons
Daniel Saifiti of the Blues tackles Josh Papalii of the Maroons as David Klemmer, Corey Norman and Jake Trbojevic look on
'Our game three deciders have always been better than NSW, so we are very confident to come down here to win this game.'
Hodges said the Origin II result - Queensland's second worst loss - had ensured the Maroons were up for the challenge.
'In game two we got what we deserved. We didn't turn up with the right attitude,' he said.
'Our boys are now primed and ready to go. If you can't get up for a decider then you are probably in the wrong game.
'Our boys are ready, they are confident. We are here to do a job and we will do it.'
NSW took an early lead in the game before Queensland struck back. Pictured: Queensland's Ben Hunt tries to evade Blues defenders
