QUEENSLAND produced a famous State of Origin fightback to beat NSW 20-18 in game three at CBus Stadium last night, denying the Blues a rare series clean sweep.
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NSW, who last enjoyed a 3-0 shut-out in 2000, were chasing a unique piece of history because this year marked the first time all three games in a series have been played in the same state.
Game III was initially scheduled for Stadium Australia, before being switched to Newcastle and then the Gold Coast last week because of Sydney's coronavirus lockdown.
Queensland, hammered 50-6 and 26-0 in the first two games of the series, led 8-6 at the end of a gripping first half.
The Maroons opened the scoring with a Valentine Holmes penalty goal in the fifth minute - the first time all series they had been in front on the scoreboard.
NSW hit back in the 11th minute when centre Latrell Mitchell beat his opposite number Dane Gagai with a sidestep to score and then converted his own try.
Queensland produced the perfect response seven minutes later, when lock Tino Fa'asuamaleaui offloaded in a tackle and debutant centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow backed up to score. Holmes' conversion gave Queensland a two-point lead at the break.
The Blues were obviously disjointed in the first half in the absence of playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, while they missed the muscle Newcastle's Daniel Saifiti has been providing up front.
Queensland were depleted by the suspensions of David Fifita and Jai Arrow, although they were boosted by the return of Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.
Ponga, playing his fourth Origin and first in more than two years, showed glimpses of his talent in the first half but was closely marked by the Blues.
NSW regained the ascendancy eight minutes after the resumption when five-eighth Jack Wighton dummied and speared his way through Queensland's right-edge defence. But the Maroons, so harshly criticised for their lack of resilience in games one and two, were not about to surrender so easily this time.
Nine minutes after Wighton edged NSW ahead, Ben Hunt burrowed over from dummy-half to put Queensland in front, 14-12.
Seven minutes later, Hunt backed up to score his second try and give the Maroons a priceless eight-point buffer.
NSW substitute Api Koroisau then ensured a cliff-hanging finish when he won the race to ground a Mitchell Moses grubber in the 70th minute, reducing the Blues' deficit to two points.
Mitchell had a chance to equalise with a 79th-minute penalty goal from the halfway line, but it fell just short.
AAP reports: The NRL will start its Queensland bubble with crowds at double-headers to be played at the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Friday night's games between Gold Coast and Parramatta as well as Manly and St George Illawarra will be played as double-header at Cbus Super Stadium.
Games will also be played there on Saturday and Sunday, meaning the ground will have five matches in the space of five days following Wednesday night's State of Origin on the Gold Coast.
Another double-header will also be played at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, with the Warriors and Penrith to run out before Brisbane hosts South Sydney.
It appeared the round 18 Queensland games would be played in empty stadiums but fans will be allowed to attend after 24 hours of negotiations between the NRL and the state government.
"We have moved as quickly as possible to provide certainty to our clubs, fans and partners," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
"Two double-headers across the weekend is an exciting outcome for our fans in Queensland, it gives them an opportunity to see four teams at one venue, in one day.
"We are continuing the biggest logistical operation our game has ever faced, moving teams and families into their southeast Queensland hubs over the coming days."
The NRL have also foreshadowed further double-headers and even triple-headers, with the Queensland stay at this stage set for a month but expected to last much longer.
Players and staff from all NSW and ACT-based teams will take charter flights to Queensland on Wednesday.
Families will arrive on the Gold Coast next week with the NRL to provide teachers and entertainment for children.
Each member of the game's bubble has been warned about their behaviour and need to follow quarantine rules and they will be kicked out of the state if they don't comply.
Most players have so far committed to the trip after being told late Monday night to have their bags packed to be sent north on Tuesday.
The biggest question surrounds Cronulla prop Aaron Woods, whose wife Sarah is due to give birth this week.
He was on Tuesday named by the Sharks to take on Canberra on Saturday.
Melbourne have also been given clearance to host Newcastle at AAMI Park on Saturday, with the Victorian government giving the Knights an exemption to fly in and out.
