New South Wales win State of Origin decider

<p>NSW coach Laurie Daley has labelled Nathan Cleary a legend of modern-day rugby league after the halfback starred in a stunning 30-12 upset win over Queensland in the decisive third State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium.</p> <p>In a victory that gives the under-fire Daley the last laugh, No. 7 Cleary helped the Blues to a surprise 18-0 lead by scoring two first-half tries and stripping the ball ahead of their third.</p> <p>Game-ending head injuries to veteran fullback James Tedesco and first-gamer Jack Bostock weakened the Blues, who were troubled by the injection of Maroons livewire Reece Walsh in the second half.</p> <p>Chasing points, the Maroons had a try chalked off that would have put them six points behind in the final 15 minutes, with the bunker ruling Max Plath had been offside chasing Sam Walker's kick.</p> <p>Wally Lewis Medallist Cleary then nailed a penalty goal that made it a three-score game, all but putting the result beyond doubt.</p> <p>"What he (Cleary) has done has been remarkable, consecutive premierships, and I don't get why people want to take down champions," Daley said.</p> <p>"He's a champion, and he's done some terrific things and why does he have to do something like he's done for people to go, 'Oh, you know, he's not a bad player'. </p> <p>"It does my head in that type of stuff - he's a legend of the game for what he's done."</p> <p>Daley also took a swing at critics of his coaching in the aftermath of a famous Blues victory.</p> <p>"It annoys me when I hear people talk about NSW not getting it, and they've got no passion for the jersey," Daley said.</p> <p>"That's two of the last three years we've won State of Origin with this group… I'm just so happy for the group because I know that was a performance that was coming."</p> <p>The result marked only the Blues' fourth victory in a decider at Suncorp Stadium from 14 attempts, and their first time winning consecutive deciders at the venue following their 2024 triumph.</p> <p>The victory came after the Blues were written off by all and sundry, having conceded 36 second-half points in a demoralising 20-point game-two loss.</p> <p>With last year's series loss fresh in memory, coach Daley faced heavy scrutiny ahead of the decider.</p> <p>"There was so much being said about him, but we took the onus on us," said Blues captain Isaah Yeo. </p> <p>"We understand that (criticism) comes with scrutiny when you don't perform like you'd want to, but ultimately you win, it silences everything."</p> <p>No player had been under more pressure to deliver in Brisbane than Cleary, for so long criticised for his track record in big Origin moments.</p> <p>The four-time premiership winner wasted little time silencing his doubters on Wednesday night.</p> <p>After an error-prone start from the Maroons, Cleary had the Blues' first try stepping inside Kurt Capewell at close range and gliding over.</p> <p>Blues second-rower Liam Martin, back from a knee injury, burst through Cameron Munster and found Stephen Crichton, who flicked to Mark Nawaqanitawase ahead of Cleary's second try.</p> <p>In the Maroons' next set, Cleary stripped the ball from Selwyn Cobbo to put the Blues into position for another four-pointer through Cameron Murray.</p> <p>The Blues lost Tedesco in the final minute before half-time when the former captain clashed heads with Maroons second-rower Briton Nikora.</p> <p>Tolu Koula came on at fullback, but the Blues were later forced into another backline reshuffle when winger Bostock fell awkwardly contesting a kick.</p> <p>Walsh and Kalyn Ponga combined to give the Maroons a sniff, the pair helping Cobbo to a try and cutting the deficit to 10.</p> <p>But just as the Maroons were on the attack again, Jojo Fifita fumbled Walsh's kick into the arms of Bradman Best, who ran 100 metres to score the Blues' fourth.</p> <p>After Fifita atoned on the right, the Maroons thought they had a fourth try when Koula allowed a Walker kick to bounce up for Rob Toia.</p> <p>But the offside penalty against Plath thwarted the Maroons, and the Blues held on, with Hudson Young crossing late.</p> <p>"We just weren't quite good enough tonight," said Queensland coach Billy Slater. </p> <p>"I thought there was a fair bit of heart and we never gave up. We had our chances, but we made it pretty hard on ourselves." </p>