Nathan Cleary masterclass shows critics who really owns State of Origin

Damned by pre-match criticism, Blues halfback rises to the occasion and leads his team to series decider over Maroons In most major sports events – grand finals, heavyweight boxing contests, State of Origin deciders – there’s usually a moment, equal parts exhilarating and appalling, where one combatant is rising and the other is falling. Everyone on the field, in the stands and watching at home senses the gravity shift. You’ve won or lost. It’s over. On Wednesday night at Suncorp, NSW knew they’d won it with 10 minutes left on the clock. They had been outplayed in Game One only to steal the result with a final last-gasp play, but everyone knew the Blues had got what they deserved in the sequel in Melbourne, smashed 44-24, including a 36-point demolition in the second half. Continue reading...