It was another close run series but as had become customary Queensland handled the big moments better as Michael Jennings endured a night to forget.
Result: Queensland 2, NSW 1
Series summary:
With the Queenslanders entering another series accused by some of being too long in the tooth, they responded in typical fashion. A Johnathan Thurston penalty goal proved the difference in a 6-4 win in Sydney, setting them up for yet another series win in Brisbane.
Too old, too slow … still far too good.Credit:AAP
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Stop us if you've heard this before but the second game was another tight affair with Queensland's experience and composure proving the difference in a 26-16 victory and a 10th series win from 11 attempts.
The Blues gained a modicum of respectability back – and another helping of hope for the future – with an 18-14 win in the dead rubber, but Queensland's dominance had continued under first-year coach Kevin Walters, who had replaced the wildly successful Mal Meninga.
Remember this?
With 15 minutes remaining and a 20-10 lead, Queensland gave the Blues an absolute gift with an errant pass five metres from the try line landing straight in James Maloney's hands. The five-eighth pumped his little legs all the way up the other end of the field to give NSW a fighting chance.
Enter Michael Jennings, who was already having a night to forget. A Maloney grubber in the 70th minute looked likely to end in another NSW try when Jennings' outstretched finger tips knocked the ball on and denied Tyson Frizzell a certain try (see above).
A Corey Oates try three minutes later sealed the win and the series for those seemingly ageless Canetoads.
Memorable quote:
"We're not deviating, we're not changing, we are staying on this course. We're going to keep pushing ahead with what we have been doing for the last few years. It will turn." Laurie Daley after game two. They did keep going, it didn't turn, and he was gone as coach the following year.
More from this series:
From the Herald archives:
State of Origin 2016: Blues must heed words of guru Phil Gould: Andrew Webster dissects yet another series lost for NSW.
Photo gallery:
Tease: Boyd Cordner, Robbie Farah and Michael Jennings celebrate the former's try in game one.Credit:AAP
Greg Inglis attempting to discard James Roberts at the MCG.Credit:Paul Barkley
James Tedesco was given his opportunity in game three.Credit:Paul Barkley
Matt Scott and teammates are all smiles at ANZ Stadium.Credit:NRL Photos
Cameron Smith, yet again holding the shield aloft.Credit:Ryan Pierse
Series breakdown:
Game I: Queensland 6 NSW 4, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New South Wales: Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen (c), Boyd Cordner, Josh Jackson. Replacements: James Tamou, David Klemmer, Dylan Walker, Andrew FifitRead More – Source
It was another close run series but as had become customary Queensland handled the big moments better as Michael Jennings endured a night to forget.
Result: Queensland 2, NSW 1
Series summary:
With the Queenslanders entering another series accused by some of being too long in the tooth, they responded in typical fashion. A Johnathan Thurston penalty goal proved the difference in a 6-4 win in Sydney, setting them up for yet another series win in Brisbane.
Too old, too slow … still far too good.Credit:AAP
Advertisement
Stop us if you've heard this before but the second game was another tight affair with Queensland's experience and composure proving the difference in a 26-16 victory and a 10th series win from 11 attempts.
The Blues gained a modicum of respectability back – and another helping of hope for the future – with an 18-14 win in the dead rubber, but Queensland's dominance had continued under first-year coach Kevin Walters, who had replaced the wildly successful Mal Meninga.
Remember this?
With 15 minutes remaining and a 20-10 lead, Queensland gave the Blues an absolute gift with an errant pass five metres from the try line landing straight in James Maloney's hands. The five-eighth pumped his little legs all the way up the other end of the field to give NSW a fighting chance.
Enter Michael Jennings, who was already having a night to forget. A Maloney grubber in the 70th minute looked likely to end in another NSW try when Jennings' outstretched finger tips knocked the ball on and denied Tyson Frizzell a certain try (see above).
A Corey Oates try three minutes later sealed the win and the series for those seemingly ageless Canetoads.
Memorable quote:
"We're not deviating, we're not changing, we are staying on this course. We're going to keep pushing ahead with what we have been doing for the last few years. It will turn." Laurie Daley after game two. They did keep going, it didn't turn, and he was gone as coach the following year.
More from this series:
From the Herald archives:
State of Origin 2016: Blues must heed words of guru Phil Gould: Andrew Webster dissects yet another series lost for NSW.
Photo gallery:
Tease: Boyd Cordner, Robbie Farah and Michael Jennings celebrate the former's try in game one.Credit:AAP
Greg Inglis attempting to discard James Roberts at the MCG.Credit:Paul Barkley
James Tedesco was given his opportunity in game three.Credit:Paul Barkley
Matt Scott and teammates are all smiles at ANZ Stadium.Credit:NRL Photos
Cameron Smith, yet again holding the shield aloft.Credit:Ryan Pierse
Series breakdown:
Game I: Queensland 6 NSW 4, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New South Wales: Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen (c), Boyd Cordner, Josh Jackson. Replacements: James Tamou, David Klemmer, Dylan Walker, Andrew FifitRead More – Source
