Blues Halfback Nathan Cleary was named man of the match in New South Wales' stunning comeback victory over Queensland, erasing a 20-0 deficit to secure a historic win.
"Cleary recorded a 40/20 kick, a try, two try assists, and 651 kick metres."
Key Moments
- Cleary's masterclass: The halfback delivered a performance for the ages, including a crucial 40/20 kick, a try, two try assists, and an astonishing 651 kick metres.
- Debutant shines: Ethan Strange impressed on his Origin debut.
- Captain's finish: James Tedesco scored the game-winning try to seal the comeback.
- Redemption arc: The win was widely described as redemption for Cleary, whose previous Origin performances had faced significant criticism.
Support from the Sidelines
Blues coach Laurie Daley defended Cleary before the match, pushing back against claims that the halfback had not 'owned' the Origin arena. Daley called the criticism "unfair," adding:
"Success requires a team performance. Relying solely on Cleary would be unrealistic."