New South Wales had a chance to snatch a consolation win when they hosted Queensland at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Result
New South Wales Blues 24
Tries: Brian To’o 14th; Josh Addo-Carr 20th; Bradman Best 23rd, 64th
Goals: Stephen Crichton 18th, 24th, 39th, 66th
Queensland Maroons 10
Tries: David Fifita 11th; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 35th
Goals: Valentine Holmes 12th
Report
New South Wales have avoided a clean sweep and restored some pride on their way to defeating Queensland 24-10 at Accor Stadium.
Looking for their first clean sweep since 2010 the Maroons struck early with Cameron Munster’s kick tapped back by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for David Fifita to score.
It wouldn’t be long until New South Wales were back in the hunt when Josh Addo-Carr strode down the left-hand touchline before the ball was spread to the other wing for Brian To’o to cross.
New South Wales hit the lead after twenty minutes as the impact of Cody Walker in attack was paying dividends. Quick hands out to Addo-Carr’s wing saw him break clear before he kicked, regathered to score their second.
Three minutes later and Damien Cook along with Walker set up Bradman Best to cross in his debut for New South Wales.
Five minutes from half time Queensland drew within six points with a switch in play from Harry Grant leading to a kick and chase by Tabuai-Fidow to score.
New South Wales led for 20 minutes in the first half eclipsing their 17 minutes in the whole of game 1 to lead 18-10 at the break.
A brutal beginning to the second half saw both sides match up physically. Tempers boiled over temporarily when a smart piece of play by Stephen Crichton dislodged the ball from Grant’s hands to hand New South Wales possession on their own line.
It took 49 minutes for Queensland debutant Corey Horsburgh to enter the field where he was met with some brutal defence for his first carry.
Opportunities would be squandered by both teams until New South Wales scored with 15 minutes remaining with Walker putting Tedesco clear before Best was on hand to score his second.
Despite several further chances to the Maroons, New South Wales held on to take out the contest 24-10.
Addo-Carr will be in doubt for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs clash with Brisbane in round 20 after leaving the field late with a hamstring problem.
It was the first time since June 26 2022, that Queensland had failed to score a point in the second half.
North Queensland Cowboys forward Reuben Cotter won the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Cody Walker (New South Wales)
2 – James Tedesco (New South Wales)
1 – Brian To’o (New South Wales)
