Nathan Cleary of the Blues is tackled by Patrick Carrigan of the Maroons during Game III in 2025 (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Photo: Cameron Spencer
James Tedesco has scored a spectacular try with 90 seconds left in State of Origin I to cap off a stunning comeback to win State of Origin I 22-20 at a sodden Stadium Australia.
An electric Queensland outfit shot out to a 20-0 lead after 20 minutes of the series opener in Sydney, before spending an hour desperately trying to cling on.
That task was made harder when superstar Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge on a flying Tolu Koula after 57 minutes, despite the Queensland fullback’s insistence that his head, not his shoulder, hit Koula high.
Debutant Ethan Strange and halfback Nathan Cleary scored on 62 and 71 minutes, as the Maroons’ defence scrambled in the wet.
They repelled the Blues until the final moments, when Cleary’s bomb landed a metre in front of the tryline and Tedesco outleapt Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, pinched the ball, juggled and regathered on the way to grounding the ball.
Cleary potted the extras from just next to the posts and NSW took a 1-0 series lead before the series heads to Melbourne for Game II in three weeks’ time.
Kiwi forward Briton Nikora made his Origin debut, after being named for Queensland.
He makes history as the first Kiwi international to be allowed to play in rugby league’s biggest showpiece after a change in eligibility rules.
Two Warriors are also playing in Origin I; co-captain Mitch Barnett for New South Wales and second rower Kurt Capewell for Queensland.
See how the action unfolded in our blog:
– ABC
Additional reporting by RNZ
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