THE New South Wales Blues repelled a surging Maroons outfit in tonight’s 100th Origin match at Suncorp Stadium to record a 12-8 victory.
In a bruising Origin opener in front of more than 52,000 fans in Brisbane, the Blues stood tall in a nerve-racking finish to deny the Maroons a fairytale win.
The visiting Blues took a 10-4 lead into half-time and pulled a further two points clear via a Trent Hodkinson penalty goal early in the second half.
Spurred on by the famous “Queenslander” chant, the Maroons kept coming and finally broke the line when Darius Boyd crossed for his second try of the night - his 14th try in his 18th Origin appearance.
Queensland came agonisingly close to pulling off yet another miracle try in the final few seconds, but when fullback Billy Slater was stopped in his tracks by the committed Blues, the NSW players were able to celebrate a memorable win.
Earlier, Queensland fans were immediately on their feet when Boyd slid over in the left corner.
But the Blues wrestled the momentum away from the Maroons with the silky skills of Jarryd Hayne sparking a try for Brett Morris.
The conversion was waved away but the Blues soon had the lead when debutant Hodkinson booted a penalty goal from in front.
Hayne then did it all himself, with the elusive Eel slipping out of a tackle for an important four pointer.
Queensland fans called for a double movement, however the video referee confirmed a try.
The Maroons suffered a massive blow early in the first half when Cooper Cronk left the field with an arm injury.
NSW BLUES 12 (Jarryd Hayne, Brett Morris tries; Trent Hodkinson 2) def XXXX QUEENSLAND MAROONS 8 (Darius Boyd 2 tries)
Crowd: 52, 111
Half-time: NSW 10-4
