The Blues spoilt the Maroons party by denying them the first State of Origin series sweep since 1995. Queensland scored first through Dallas Johnson, but NSW Blues struck back with tries from Ben Creagh and David Williams to go into the break at 6-14.

The second period and the Maroons scored through Hodges and Slater though this was more than matched by the Blues with scores from Creagh getting his second and Josh Morris. The game was marred by several puch-ups in the closing stages as the pressure rose and this culminated in the sending off of Waterhouse and a couple of sin-binnings for Ben Creagh and Sam Thaiday.

However for all this New South Wales took a well deserved win:

Queensland 16 NSW 28

Scorers

Queensland
Tries: Johnson, Hodges, Slater Goals: Thurston 2
NSW
Tries: Creagh 2, Williams, Morris Goals: Ennis 3, Gidley 3

Teams

Queensland: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Willie Tonga, Darren Lockyer (captain), Johnathan Thurston, Steve Price, Cameron Smith, Matt Scott, Ashley Harrison, Sam Thaiday, Dallas Johnson.
Replacements: Karmichael Hunt, David Shillington, Neville Costigan, Michael Crocker.

New South Wales: Kurt Gidley (captain), Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, David Williams, Trent Barrett, Brett Kimmorley, Justin Poore, Michael Ennis, Josh Perry, Ben Creagh, Trent Waterhouse, Anthony Watmough.
Replacements: Brett White, Craig Wing, Glenn Stewart, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.