New South Wales has thumped Queensland 26-0 to secure the 2021 State of Origin shield.
James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic were again the difference, aided by a huge collective effort in defence, as Queensland were kept scoreless at home for the first time.
In many ways, this defeat was worse for Queensland than the first game: in Townsville, they were blitzed, but in Brisbane, they were dominated.
Advert
The Maroons never looked like scoring. Cam Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans looked like they'd just met.
The first few minutes were equal enough - even slightly in the Maroons favour - but one magic play changed the course of the action.
After a smart ball steal from Latrell Mitchell - Kyle Feldt's poor series continuing - the Blues spread the ball to the right. Tedesco through the cutout to Addo-Carr and, having missed out last time, the Foxx had his try.
Latrell would get his try moments later. With Queensland on the attack and going for the corner, he stuck out a paw, grabbed Valentine Holmes' pass and went the length to double the Blues' lead.
Tom Trbojevic had been quiet to this point, but it wasn't to last. He rinsed Kurt Capewell, but couldn't find a pass to get over. It didn't matter: moments later, after Addo-Carr had flown past Xavier Coates, the Manly fullback was on hand to touch down.
Advert
In the background as Trbojevic crossed, you could see Foxx beating the Blues badge on his chest, noising up the Suncorp crowd. It fairly summed up the first dig.
It got little better after the break. Where the first half was a story of superb NSW attack, the second was about their defence.
Tom Trbojevic stopped Xavier Coates with a pinpoint slap to the arm to dislodge the ball as he dived for the line. Brian To'o robbed Kyle Feldt as he looked certain to score.
Advert
It's hard to pinpoint a nadir, but Kyle Feldt might have managed it. His dropout, 15 from time, managed to go dead in goal.
From the resulting penalty, New South Wales spread to Addo-Carr, who sealed the deal.
Relive all the action from the match in our live blog BELOW. If you can't see the blog, CLICK HERE.
Topics: score, Rugby League, nrl, Australia
