Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
New South Wales Blues fans were back in the firing line after their side beat the Queensland Maroons 30-12 at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night to claim the State of Origin series 2-1.
The Blues entered Game 3 as underdogs but delivered their best performance of the series, with Nathan Cleary starring as New South Wales closed out a famous win in Brisbane.
The victory also gave the Blues a strong answer to recent criticism, with New South Wales’ State of Origin triumph putting Laurie Daley’s side back on top after a heated campaign.
Read Revisits Origin Debate
Queensland-aligned pundit Brent Read had taken aim at New South Wales supporters after Game 2, when the Queensland Maroons won 44-24 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to force a decider.
“It’s an unusual feeling. You pathetic fools are the losers. You fluked the first game; the series should have been over. You got very lucky,” Read said via the CODE Sports podcast.
“Queensland got no luck in this series. You forgot what it’s like to celebrate so I understand.
“Enjoy your moment in the sun. All you idiots pinging me, enjoy your moment in the sun because it doesn’t last long because you don’t get it.”
The first match of the series had turned when Kalyn Ponga was sent off in the 57th minute, with Queensland leading 20-6 before New South Wales rallied to win 22-20 at Accor Stadium.
Official State of Origin match updates and fixtures are available through the National Rugby League.
Cleary Leads Blues Response
Read admitted Queensland were well beaten in the deciding match, with New South Wales sharper from the opening stages and stronger through the middle.
“It was very disappointing. They got very outplayed and all my fears came true,” he said.
“Nathan Cleary played out of his skin. He was the one fear I had. He won man of the match and the Wally Lewis Medal, so that was my concern.
“Queensland were off the pace from the start, completely disappointing.”
