sportschat


MAROONS TAKE OUT ORIGIN SERIES 2-1	BRAD'S NEWS ROOM
	Queensland are on the verge of an unprecedented period of Origin dominance after capturing their third straight series with a pulsating 16-10 win in the decider at ANZ Stadium. The Maroons reaffirmed themselves as one of the great Origin sides in the history of interstate contests by becoming the third Queensland team - and the first since 1987-89 - to win a hattrick of titles. While none of those sides went on to make it four in a row, this outfit looks better placed to create a dynasty with the Maroons blessed with talent and youth in plentiful doses. "We've won three in a row, how good is that," Queensland coach Mal Meninga said. "As far as I'm concerned these guys deserve all the accolades they get. "It was a bit of a war zone, losing Prince after 15 minute, that put a bit of a dent in the way we played. "But JT (Johnathan Thurston) stood up, Karmichael (Hunt) stood up, Smithy stood up ... and we grinded (sic) a really good game out." Israel Folau dominated from the wing like few in the game ever have with a spectacular two try performance, while in Thurston they proved the post Darren Lockyer era was in safe hands. That Queensland won this series without Lockyer showed just how powerful a force they are, and that they had to do without his replacement Scott Prince for 65 minutes due to a broken arm showed just how talented Thurston is. With the scores locked at 10-all and 12 minutes remaining on the clock the game was anyone's. But cometh the hour cometh the man. Thurston, who took out the player of the series award, dummied his way through to send Billy Slater away for the match-winning try. "Quite unbelievable really, with our half going out early in the game and winning down here, it's pretty special winning at home but winning down is pretty sweet," Maroons skipper Smith said. "It was a tough game, I think it's probably up there with one of Queensland's best wins, it was our toughest win by far. "It's always good winning 30 blot, but to tough it out down here is even better." For defeated Blues skipper Danny Buderus, it was a tough way to bow out of Origin football, but the closeness of the scoreline wasn't indicative of a NSW side that was outplayed in the final two games of the series. Matt Cooper's 15th minute try, when he took advantage of a Maroons defensive line missing Prince as he made his way up the tunnel, proved to be their only four-pointer over the two games, compared to eight for the Maroons. Just like the previous 20 games, Buderus was one of NSW's best. His combination with Newcastle teammate Kurt Gidley - who started in place of Brett Stewart - proved a masterstroke from coach Craig Bellamy, but a record equalling third series win as NSW skipper was not to be. "At the end of the day there's nothing between the two states but the individual brilliance of JT," Buderus said. "I could not be prouder of the boys, they came up and apologised to me after the game but I won't have any of that." Bellamy refused to speculate on whether he would go around again. "I haven't really thought about it, I just concentrate on each game and each preparation, I haven't thought about it and I probably won't for a while." An early penalty gave the Blues the lead and the natives an opportunity to release some tension with a bit of push and shove, but it was the Maroons who made the first impression with Folau gifted the opening try thanks to an Anthony Quinn fumble. Cooper replied but with Thurston now pulling the strings, Folau played the most nimble of puppets for his second try - the 19-year-old using Quinn as a step ladder before grasping the ball in one hand to touch down. NSW regained ascendancy through another Craig Fitzgibbon penalty goal but it was matched after the break when Paul Gallen ridiculously took out Thurston in front of his own sticks. Queensland backrower Nate Myles was lucky to stay on the field following a spear tackle on Ben Cross, the Blues prop replying with a bevy of right hooks. From there Thurston turned the game as he sent Slater away, Queensland withstanding a barrage of NSW raids on their line with a crucial forward pass call against Braith Anasta with 45 seconds on the clock killing off the Blues hopes. AUSTRALIAN WORLD CHAMPION CASEY STONER WINS HIS SECOND CONSECUTIVE BRITISH GRAND PRIX AT DONINGTON RACEWAY, AND HIS SECOND VICTORY IN THIS YEAR'S MOTO GP CHAMPIONSHIPS

MAROONS TAKE OUT ORIGIN SERIES 2-1

BRAD'S NEWS ROOM

Queensland are on the verge of an unprecedented period of Origin dominance after capturing their third straight series with a pulsating 16-10 win in the decider at ANZ Stadium.

The Maroons reaffirmed themselves as one of the great Origin sides in the history of interstate contests by becoming the third Queensland team - and the first since 1987-89 - to win a hattrick of titles.

While none of those sides went on to make it four in a row, this outfit looks better placed to create a dynasty with the Maroons blessed with talent and youth in plentiful doses.

"We've won three in a row, how good is that," Queensland coach Mal Meninga said.

"As far as I'm concerned these guys deserve all the accolades they get.

"It was a bit of a war zone, losing Prince after 15 minute, that put a bit of a dent in the way we played.

"But JT (Johnathan Thurston) stood up, Karmichael (Hunt) stood up, Smithy stood up ... and we grinded (sic) a really good game out."

Israel Folau dominated from the wing like few in the game ever have with a spectacular two try performance, while in Thurston they proved the post Darren Lockyer era was in safe hands.

That Queensland won this series without Lockyer showed just how powerful a force they are, and that they had to do without his replacement Scott Prince for 65 minutes due to a broken arm showed just how talented Thurston is.

With the scores locked at 10-all and 12 minutes remaining on the clock the game was anyone's.

But cometh the hour cometh the man.

Thurston, who took out the player of the series award, dummied his way through to send Billy Slater away for the match-winning try.

"Quite unbelievable really, with our half going out early in the game and winning down here, it's pretty special winning at home but winning down is pretty sweet," Maroons skipper Smith said.

"It was a tough game, I think it's probably up there with one of Queensland's best wins, it was our toughest win by far.

"It's always good winning 30 blot, but to tough it out down here is even better."

For defeated Blues skipper Danny Buderus, it was a tough way to bow out of Origin football, but the closeness of the scoreline wasn't indicative of a NSW side that was outplayed in the final two games of the series.

Matt Cooper's 15th minute try, when he took advantage of a Maroons defensive line missing Prince as he made his way up the tunnel, proved to be their only four-pointer over the two games, compared to eight for the Maroons.

Just like the previous 20 games, Buderus was one of NSW's best.

His combination with Newcastle teammate Kurt Gidley - who started in place of Brett Stewart - proved a masterstroke from coach Craig Bellamy, but a record equalling third series win as NSW skipper was not to be.

"At the end of the day there's nothing between the two states but the individual brilliance of JT," Buderus said.

"I could not be prouder of the boys, they came up and apologised to me after the game but I won't have any of that."

Bellamy refused to speculate on whether he would go around again.

"I haven't really thought about it, I just concentrate on each game and each preparation, I haven't thought about it and I probably won't for a while."

An early penalty gave the Blues the lead and the natives an opportunity to release some tension with a bit of push and shove, but it was the Maroons who made the first impression with Folau gifted the opening try thanks to an Anthony Quinn fumble.

Cooper replied but with Thurston now pulling the strings, Folau played the most nimble of puppets for his second try - the 19-year-old using Quinn as a step ladder before grasping the ball in one hand to touch down.

NSW regained ascendancy through another Craig Fitzgibbon penalty goal but it was matched after the break when Paul Gallen ridiculously took out Thurston in front of his own sticks.

Queensland backrower Nate Myles was lucky to stay on the field following a spear tackle on Ben Cross, the Blues prop replying with a bevy of right hooks.

From there Thurston turned the game as he sent Slater away, Queensland withstanding a barrage of NSW raids on their line with a crucial forward pass call against Braith Anasta with 45 seconds on the clock killing off the Blues hopes.

AUSTRALIAN WORLD CHAMPION CASEY STONER WINS HIS SECOND CONSECUTIVE BRITISH GRAND PRIX AT DONINGTON RACEWAY, AND HIS SECOND VICTORY IN THIS YEAR'S MOTO GP CHAMPIONSHIPS

WELCOME TO THE AMPHITHEATRE

Forum	Topics	Replies	Last Post Info
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. If you're interested in registering, and becoming a member here, then all you need to do is to click on the forum title, and you'll be directed to the registration page, where it will only take a minute or two to register. There is no ADMIN validation required, so becoming a member here is simple, and fast.	-	-	Redirected Hits: 29
Introductions. If you're new to this board, then feel free to post a thread in this forum so that you can introduce yourself to everybody else. Alternatively, anyone who notices a newbie can post a welcome thread for them..	83	1,562	Jul 5 2008, 01:29 AM In: Welcome Strabhsach�n By: Big Al
Suggestions and help. If you need any help, or have a suggestion to make this board a wee bit better, then post it in here so that we can either try to help you, or have a read of whatever your suggestion may be.	74	1,241	Jul 4 2008, 11:36 AM In: How To Upload An Image By: ~Wild Child~

SPORTS

Forum	Topics	Replies	Last Post Info
The Olympic Games The countdown to Bejing is on, they aren't far away, will china dominate in it's own backyard?	13	77	Jul 5 2008, 01:42 PM In: Athletes turn to Viagra for... By: Brasco
Rugby league. Talk about all the rugby league comps you can think of, the NRL, ESL, and any other that you are interested in.	567	4,121	Jul 6 2008, 01:37 AM In: Future Cloudy For Lockyer a... By: Big Al
Rugby union. With the world cup over and done with for another 4 years, there is still plenty of other rugby comps to talk about..	215	1,054	Jul 6 2008, 01:06 AM In: The Causalty Ward. By: linds7612
Cricket With so many cricket comps on, there is always a game somewhere to talk about, the ashes, and any other comp you can think of.	265	2,906	Jul 6 2008, 02:25 AM In: NZ will tour Zimbabwe despi... By: kwicket
AFL This brand of football is native to australia, and it's a mystery to some how it's played, but it's an aussie favourite.	35	78	Jun 30 2008, 01:08 PM In: AFL player Polak wakes from... By: linds7612
Other sports This forum is for all other sports that have a limited following here at the moment.	193	694	Jul 4 2008, 02:47 PM In: Federer Beats Safin By: linds7612

OFF TOPIC

	Forum	Topics	Replies	Last Post Info
	Advertise Your Forum. If you are staff at any other forum, and you'd like to advertise it, then post a thread in here, but make sure that the guidelines are followed exactly as they're laid out.	11	26	Jul 1 2008, 05:57 PM In: Planet Ads By: Garethlover

Board Statistics

9 user(s) active in the past 120 minutes
	5 guests, 4 members, 0 anonymous members Paddles, linds7612, JF., kwicket Show detailed list by: Last Click, Member Name
Today's Birthdays
	No members are celebrating a birthday today
Forthcoming Calendar Events within the next 30 days
	1st Tri-nations test: ABs v SA_05/07/07
Board Statistics
	Our members have made a total of 57,810 posts We have 196 registered members The newest member is deaddyses Most users ever online was 61 on Mar 8 2008, 12:19 AM