Haas and Blues big men unsung heroes in NSW ambush

For most of the State of Origin series, the NSW pack had struggled to match their Queensland rivals, leaving the Blues on the back foot.

But when it mattered most, with interstate bragging rights on the line at Suncorp Stadium, Laurie Daley’s forwards stood up and delivered.

Nathan Cleary will rightfully receive much of the credit for NSW’s memorable series-winning victory, having finally secured the Origin greatness that had eluded him by leading the way on Wednesday.

But the platform for Cleary’s star turn – and the freewheeling team’s historic fourth win in a Brisbane decider – was set by a dominant performance from the big men in blue.

A typically destructive Payne Haas set the tone in the first half, steamrolling over Queensland talisman Cameron Munster.

Deployed at times wider on the field rather than down the middle, the game’s best front-rower was instrumental to the NSW upset, racking up a handful of tackle breaks and a more than a half-century of post-contact metres.

He was not alone and few others made a greater impact than Liam Martin, the Penrith back-rower unafraid to get his hands dirty.

Daley’s selections had been a point of much debate during this series but the return of Martin for game three paid off handsomely.

After sitting out the first two games following a knee injury the 29-year-old was eager to make up for lost time, targeting Munster in particular in a superb 80-minute performance.

He set up Cleary’s second try after running at the Queensland captain and releasing Stephen Crichton and was fierce in defence, bringing his customary niggle into the Blues’ game to drive home his presence.

At hooker, Reece Robson looked a different player to the one who had begun Wednesday night with his place in the side being questioned.

The Roosters No.9 is a defensive specialist but after offering little in attack in Sydney and Melbourne, he excelled in Brisbane, offering a sharpness out of dummy half as well as terrific service for Cleary and halves partner Mitchell Moses.

Hudson Young, meanwhile, completed every minute of the series with a tireless, workmanlike showing while captain Isaah Yeo was his dependable self all evening.

Daley’s bench rotation also came off.

His haphazard use of the NSW interchange had been heavily criticised after the Blues fell apart at the MCG.

It was complicated on Wednesday night by James Tedesco’s concussion, which meant Haumole Olakau’atu didn’t get on, but those who did start the game on the sideline made an impact when they got on.

Cameron Murray, who many thought should have started during this series, was chief among them, capitalising on Cleary’s opportunistic steal from Selwyn Cobbo to barge over the line and score NSW’s third try at the half-hour mark.

Addin Fonua-Blake, who only briefly got on the field in game two and was barely noticed, was another to excel, bumping off defenders and offloading in a strong outing.

Not to be outdone, Blayke Brailey helped complete a win for the ages, sending Young over as the siren was about to sound.

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