Queensland dominated from the opening minutes Wednesday to overwhelm New South Wales 52-6 and clinch the annual State of Origin rugby league series in the third and deciding match.
It was the largest victory margin in any State of Origin game in 35 years as Queensland ran in eight tries and Johnathan Thurston kicked a perfect nine from nine goals.
The Maroons led 22-2 at halftime and ended any hopes of a New South Wales comeback with two converted tries early in the second half. Michael Jennings scored the only New South Wales try on an intercept in the 60th minute — long after the match was decided.
Justin Hodges took the final kick for goal, converting the eighth Queensland try in a tribute to his career in his final match for Queensland.
"This is exactly the way I wanted to go out," Hodges said.
Queensland won the Origin series eight years in a row before New South Wales reclaimed the title in 2014. Queensland took a 1-0 lead this year in Sydney with an 11-10 win on May 27 before New South Wales levelled the series with a 26-18 victory on June 17 in Melbourne.
It was an extraordinary 55th birthday present for Queensland coach Mal Meninga, who has been involved in 62 Origin matches as either player or coach since the series began in 1980.
"They wrote us off in this series, but it goes to show what a champion side we are," Thurston said. "It's all about proving a point after we lost the series last year.
"Full credit to the Blues, they pushed us hard in the second game. But we understand what it means to the state of Queensland. A win with 52 points is such a pleasure."
First-half tries to Dane Gagai, Josh Papalii and Greg Inglis paved the way for the big Queensland win as the Blues' poor discipline and turnovers were costly.
Matt Gillett, Michael Morgan, Darius Boyd, Will Chambers and Aidan Guerra added second-half four-pointers for the home side.
New South Wales captain Paul Gallen said it was "just one of those nights."
"There's not a lot more to say," Gallen said.
Queensland captain Cameron Smith said his side had answered its critics in emphatic fashion.
"There were a lot of question marks raised after our performance in the last game, but look at the scoreboard — that is the best answer," Smith said.
The match, clinching Queensland's ninth win in the past 10 Origin series, was played in front of 52,500 spectators at the former Lang Park in Brisbane.
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Scores:
Queensland 52 (Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Matt Gillett, Aidan Guerra, Greg Inglis, Michael Morgan, Josh Papalii tries; Johnathan Thurston 9, Justin Hodges goals), New South Wales 6 (Michael Jennings try Trent Hodkinson goal). HT: 22-2.
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