Queensland foil NSW's clean-sweep dream with Game III win

Queensland has foiled New South Wales’ hopes of an Origin series clean sweep winning Game III 20-18 on the Gold Coast on Wednesday night.

The Blues came into the third and final game hoping for their fourth ever 3-0 score line in Origin history, but they’ll instead have to settle for a 2-1 result after dropping tonight’s clash.

The Maroons opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the fifth minute, but it was Latrell Mitchell who was the first to cross over and hand his side the lead in the 10th minute.

Debutant Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow went over eight minutes later to give the home side the ascendancy and a tight tussle thereafter would ensure Queensland went into half-time with a two-point lead.

Shortly after the main break Jack Wighton went over until a brace of tries from Queensland hooker Ben Hunt gave his side an eight-point buffer.

Blues substitute Api Koroisau scored with 12 minutes remaining to shorten the margin but New South Wales weren’t able to breakthrough late with the Maroons defending defiantly in their own half to hold on for victory.

FINAL SCORE:

New South Wales 18 def by 20 Queensland

TRIES:

New South Wales: Mitchell 10’, Wighton 48’, Koroisau 68’

Queensland: Tabuai-Fidow 18’, Hunt 57’ 63’