How good was State of Origin? You have to love the hype, the tension, the drama and the pay-off that big matches provide and in Rugby League – it doesn’t get much bigger than Origin. All week critics were questioning NSW and how they could possibly win with only two props, how could they hope to compete against the Maroons juggernaut?
In the end it comes down to 80 minutes of high intensity football, with the pre-match words and speculation rendered meaningless. For those 80 minutes it is about fighting for every inch, for every second of every minute. Both sides were courageous, both gave it everything and ultimately on the back of a parochial crowd of all but 82,000, the Blues edged out Queensland to level the series.
Re-live the biggest hits and best tries from Origin Game 2 with our game analyser. You control the action!
The build-up to Game 3 will be epic. In truth, it is already in full-swing. Strap yourselves in for a crazy three weeks and get ready for an emotion-charged finale as the Blues try to win their first series since 2005, while Queensland look to send immortal-in-waiting Darren Lockyer off for a fairytale finish.
July 6 can’t come soon enough!
DID YOU KNOW?
• 14,000 wigs and t-shirts were handed out to the Blatchy’s Blues and Maroon Crusade in the space of three hours at State of Origin at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night. That is an average of 78 per minute – that’s more than one a second!
• The Harvey Norman State of Origin Series has already claimed the top two programs of 2011, with Game Two in Sydney attracting an average national audience of 3.410million viewers.
THIS WEEK ON NRL.com
Official View: Why there have been more forward passes detected this year
NRL Mailbox: This week we look at the match review process and how the judiciary works.
Stats Insider: The best and worst at defusing kicks
NRL.com COLUMNISTS
You can now access all our opinion writers in the one location! Each week their latest column will be featured and you can find them all here.
Sterling Gold – Peter Sterling looked at where NSW needed to improve before the second game
In Touch – Leila McKinnon looks at the week to celebrate women in Rugby League
Inside Word – Trent Barrett from inside the NSW shed after Game II
From the Mind of Middo – Are Keiran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans the new Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny?
Coach’s Box – Graham Murray looks at Ricky Stuart’s masterstroke
Next Gen – Matt Russell looks at a thrilling round of the Toyota Cup
On the Road – Steve Mascord looks at the scheduling debate
MATCH CENTRE – ROUND 15
Get all the team lists, head-to-head stats and our match previews in the match centre. Plus live stats and scores, match highlights and much much more!
Updated Team Lists - all the latest team news
Broncos v Dragons last time they played
Rabbitohs v Titans last time they played
Knights v Panthers last time they played
Cowboys v Warriors last time they played
Bulldogs v Sharks last time they played
Wests Tigers v Storm last time the played
Sea Eagles v Eels last time they played
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS ON NRL.com
NRL News - with Joel Caine
Late Mail - with Peter Sterling
Dylan Farrell says Bunnies will be strong
Johnathan Thurston Post match interview
Ben Hannant post match interview
Coming up this weekend on NRL.com
Saturday / Sunday 3:00pm – 4:30pm: NRL Deluxe on League TV with Freddy Fittler and John Gibbs
Full Match replays or just watch the best bits with Game Analyser. (All matches available 24 hours after final siren)
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