NATHAN Cleary led New South Wales to an upset series-winning victory over Queensland in enemy territory tonight.
The superstar halfback scored the Blues’ first two tries, set up their next four-pointer and booted five vital goals to conjure NSW’s second triumph in a Suncorp Stadium decider in three years.
The Maroons threatened a late comeback, with Blues pair James Tedesco and Jack Bostock failing head-injury assessments. But after the Bunker chalked off Robert Toia’s 68th-minute try, Cleary’s men kicked away.
Under-fire coach Laurie Daley was in tears on the touchline at full-time after withstanding a stack of criticism following their 2025 series defeat and last month’s Game Two thrashing in Melbourne.
Cleary has also faced heat for struggling to convert his dominance at NRL level into the Origin arena, but this performance proved his quality.
The 2026 series went to a decider after Kalyn Ponga’s dismissal led to the Blues’ big comeback in Game One in Sydney, then the Maroons steamed home with a thumping victory in Game Two in Melbourne.
Back home in Brisbane, the Cane Toads carried the unfamiliar favourites tag and buckled under the expectation.
With the series on the line, Daley made six changes to his team sheet.
First-gamer Bostock replaced veteran Brian To’o, Haumole Olakau’atu and Blayke Brailey returned after being dropped for Game Two, and fit-again trio Bradman Best, Stephen Crichton and Liam Martin strengthened the 17.
Queensland coach Billy Slater also brought in Patrick Carrigan (ankle) and Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder) for Lindsay Collins (concussion) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Cleary sidestepped his way between Kurt Capewell and Reuben Cotter from close range for a signature four-pointer to open the scoring.
Then, after Hudson Young came close, Martin’s offload to Crichton launched another raid. Crichton flick-passed to Mark Nawaqanitawase, who calmly drew the cover defence and released Cleary for his second.
On the end of Cleary’s one-on-one steal off Selwyn Cobbo, Cameron Murray overpowered Trent Loiero for NSW’s third.
But when the Maroons finally got some territory, thanks to a Nawaqanitawase error, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow slashed past Crichton to claim his 14th try from 13 Origins.
Both sides swapped their fullback either side of half-time — Tolutau Koula came on for Tedesco due to a head clash with Briton Nikora, then Reece Walsh replaced Kalyn Ponga when Sam Walker’s HIA (which he passed) forced a back-line reshuffle.
Queensland had a slice of luck when Cobbo’s kick ricocheted off Koula for four points, but with the Maroons probing for another, the Blues soon enjoyed an even bigger piece of fortune.
Bostock appeared to knock on a high kick before Best burned club team-mate Ponga to sprint the length of the field … but the Bunker confirmed the controversial try.
With Bostock then off for a HIA, Queensland targeted Murray at centre and Best on the wing — and Jojo Fifita beat them into the right corner.
When Koula let a Walker bomb bounce, and Toia pounced on the loose ball to score, we seemed to have a grandstand finish on our hands … but the officials spotted Max Plath marginally offside from the kick.
Instead, Cleary nailed a tough penalty goal and Hudson Young added an after-the-siren exclamation mark as the Blues romped home.