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Tough going for NSW coming out of their own end. Queensland defending well. NSW with a shift and there’s a hand from Xavier Coates Full set to the Blues. Three minutes left.
NSW trying everything. To’o and Leniu with yardage carries. There’s metres to be had down the left, Dearden wraps up Latrell Mitchell with an important tackle. Luai bombs and Ponga fumbles it. We’re going upstairs for a captain’s challenge from Queensland.
It’s ruled a knock-on against Ponga. Lomax had a touch there. That’s called backwards though. It’s Ponga pulling the ball forward. NSW on the attack.
NSW 24 Qld 26
Spencer Leniu takes the kick-off after running onto the field. This really is a fairytale ending. He charges back at them. Queensland’s defence holds strong as Cleary takes a clearing kick from his own 40-metre line.
Into the final five minutes we go. Maroons with the better of this yardage exchange. Even with the suggestion of a bobble from Val Holmes in contact. NSW end up taking Queensland’s kick deep in their own half.
NSW 24 Queensland 26
Queensland survive, but only until Latrell Mitchell nabs a one-on-one steal from Jeremiah Nanai. Hudson Young trying to shove his way over from close range. Desperation stuff now. Passes everywhere.
Tension. Drama. Buzz. Atmosphere. And then Jarome Luai – he’s had a shocker all night – but he grubbers in behind the line and Angus Crichton is flying through. Touches down.
NSW now just two behind. The greatest comeback in history beckons. Zac Lomax knocks over an easier conversion.
NSW 24 Queensland 26
Blues on the march, we’re almost inside the final 10 minutes. Cleary with a long, high kick that’s fielded easily by Coates. Then an error from Rob Toia coming out of trouble. NSW with great field position – attacking from 40 out.
Play slows down, NSW need someone to straighten them up, it’s Payne Haas. Six again. Dylan Edwards tries a kick that doesn’t get through the defence. Six again, again. Nathan Cleary almost slides through. Again the Blues attack breaks down and goes into touch – Connor Watson with a short side raid that just wasn’t on.
NSW 18 Queensland 26
Connor Watson runs the ball.Credit: Getty Images
From the kick-off, Latrell Mitchell is chancing a flick pass in his own 20. Then Kurt Capewell with a telling shot that forces the ball loose from Hudson Young. That’s big. Queensland with an attacking set right when they need one. Dearden, Munster and Mann all combining at the ruck.
Mann really getting involved now. Dearden opts to run on the last tackle but there’s a forward pass.
NSW 18 Queensland 26
From the scrum, NSW come downfield. Fourth tackle and they swing left. Hands will do it. Hands does it. Latrell Mitchell with a brilliant catch and pass for Brian To’o’s hat-trick.
To’o has 12 metres to the tryline, he races three Maroons to the line and barges his way over. Lomax lines up from five metres inside the left touchline and it swings right of the posts. Goal kicking is a killer.
NSW 18 Queensland 26
Connor Watson is into the fray. And Kalyn Ponga makes a telling run before Rob Toia rolls a lovely grubber into the corner. Dylan Edwards somehow manages to stay in the field of play.
Really tough set for the Blues. They make 18 metres in five tackles, Jarome Luai kicks long and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with a shocking error. He tries to trap it with his foot, it beats him and bounces straight into his arm. Knock-on on halfway.
NSW 14 Queensland 26
NSW are running downhill now. Payne Haas with a massive carry from the kick-off, almost goes straight through. Series on the line in the next 20 minutes.
Nathan Cleary is hammered by Val Holmes out wide. But it’s a good set from NSW.
The Blues starting to dominate in defence too. They’re winning the yardage game. Cleary kicking from better positions with each set now. Stephen Crichton finds space down the right now.
NSW 14 Queensland 26
