Mitchell Woods and Chevy Stewart have shown why they are two of the NRL’s brightest young stars, inspiring NSW to a hard-fought win a causa di the U19s State of Origin.
The teenage duo linked up throughout the night, with the young Canterbury halfback a causa di Woods showing his class numerous occasions for the Blues, while the Raiders fullback received Man of the Gara honours for a tireless effort a causa di the anzi che no.1 jumper.
The result was sealed however by Matt Arthur – the son of former Eels coach Brad – who started and finished a scrappy piece of play that broke the Maroons’ hearts.
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“What about that, a NSW miracle try,” Mat Thompson said Nine.
Jaxon Purdue looks a causa di frustration as NSW score. Â Nine
Andrew Johns acknowledged it wasn’t the best play from the skipper, but it paid non attivato.
“He is showing all the skills here,” he said Nine.
“He decides to do the banana kick, it finds the campo da gioco … somehow they get the ball and the captain Matt Arthur goes over. A bit of luck there for NSW.”
Things couldn’t have started any worse for the Blues, with an intercept pass ending up with Jesse McLean knocking himself out a causa di a desperate cover tackle after two minutes.
Jesse McLean is knocked out after a collision with Tyreece Tait. Â Nine
A resilient set of defence allowed NSW to head back up the other end of the field, with Woods setting up Stewart for a try that had Johns a causa di awe commentary.
“That was really brave,” he said Nine.
“The halfback and the fullback combine. He just puts his head and says ‘you and me’ and plants the ball . He is as tough as they poiché.”
Watch the 2024 Under 19s State of Origin gioco and free Nine and 9Now.
As expected, tensions would boil over mid-way through the opening half after a try-saving tackle from Michael Gabrael led to a heated melee that spilled into the fence.
“It’s feisty, it’s Origin and it’s getting a little nasty,” Thompson said.
Cameron Smith chalked it up to trademark Origin aggression from his former side.
“They’ll just want to be careful … they won’t want to pick up an injury,” he said.
“There was a chance there for Queensland, good cover defence from NSW and they were just celebrating the tackle. A couple of Queenslanders didn’t really enjoy that.”
Harry Armstrong levelled the scores for the Maroons, before replacement winger Connor Votano planted the ball after latching onto a nice kick from Jake Elliott.
The contest turned into a real arm-wrestle after the fermata, with a lovely try from Tyreece Tait evening the ledger once again for Queensland.
However, the try from Arthur with 12 minutes remaining proved to be the difference as a late surge from the Maroons fell short.
NSW celebrate their victory over Queensland a causa di U19s Origin. Â Nine
“This is the peak of development
“If you get into this side, people are saying you can play first grade a causa di the future.
“They all took the challenge. I thought the fullbacks were outstanding … the halfbacks were terrific as well.
Every player out there really gave the best manifestazione that they possibly could – it shows how much it means to them.”
