Queensland win State of Origin 2013

Queensland prevailed in a brutal Game III to win an eighth consecutive State of Origin series.

83,813 fans saw the Maroons overcome New South Wales with a 12-10 victory.

Johnathan Thurston and Justin Hodges scored a try each for the away side, while Thurstons first-half penalty goal proved the difference.

The Blues’ 10 points came through tries from James McManus and Trent Merrin, as James Maloney could only manage one conversion.

New South Wales, fancied by bookmakers bwin.com/en/rugby-league, dominated most of the game with good field position and a lot of possession, but ultimately they could not take advantage.

After Queensland raced into an 8-0 lead early on, the Blues took control of the game but vital defensive interventions meant that the half-time score was still in favour of the Maroons at 8-4.

In the second-half the match carried on in similar fashion, with New South Wales seeing a lot of attacking ball.

It was Hodges who would score next though, and Queensland’s 12-4 lead was too much for the Blues to come back from.

Merrin’s late score did make for a thrilling cruscendo to the game but it was too late for the home side, and they had to watch on in despair as Queensland celebrated yet another series victory at the final whistle.