'Lucky' Fittler pays tribute to Blues guns
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NSW coach Brad Fittler insists players make their own luck after lauding the efforts of Mitchell Pearce, James Tedesco and Blake Ferguson to come up with a winning play in the dying seconds of the Origin decider.
Fittler was criticised by a report earlier in the week that indicated the Blues mentor had got the coaching gig at the right time following Queensland's dominating era, a claim Fittler acknowledged following the side's 26-20 victory on Wednesday night.
NSW recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since 2005 in front of a sellout crowd of 82,565 at Sydney Olympic Park.
Fittler ran amok following Tedesco's efforts to ground the ball on the stroke of fulltime to send the Blatchys Blues down the northern end into a frenzy.
"Someone wrote I have luck and without a doubt, I never disregard how good those players were," Fittler said after the clash.
"It's been a lucky time, I've got it at a good time. But we've worked hard as staff and made big calls when we've thought we had to do it.
Fittler praises Pearce and Tedesco
"The fact is Queensland were going to be different. I thought they were better than us considering the week they had and the players we pulled in.
"But you make your own [luck], it's only three games. Mitchell Pearce found some space and give it to our three fastest blokes and they managed to find a try. I really applaud Mitch from that. He set the try up, if he doesn't throw the ball out we go to extra time.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
"To be able to have that moment was just fantastic. We had a theme all week about finishing fast and finishing the game.
"I can only imagine [the feeling], Queensland have done that a lot to us."
The Blues looked to have surrendered a 12-point lead in devastating fashion after skipping out to a 20-8 advantage with only nine minutes remaining.
Tries to Josh McGuire and Josh Papalii on the Blues' left edge levelled the scores before Daly Cherry-Evans had a chance for a field goal late but opted to turn possession over.
"We were going to go into extra time. Ethan Lowe was outstanding, I can't believe he kicked it," Fittler said.
"They've been under the pump for a couple of weeks now. The players stood up. It was unbelievable enjoyable, so exciting and the paper is full of stories. We've just got to keep working hard and excite the fans."
Meanwhile, the celebrations were bittersweet for NSW back-rower Wade Graham with the Sharks forward suffering a hamstring injury.
Fittler said he hoped it "wasn't too serious" but he will require scans on Thursday.
