The Blues led 18-10 at halftime because to scores from Bradman Best, Josh Addo-Carr, and Brian To’o. David Fifita and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored in response.A closer game, both teams engaged in an arm-wrestle in the second half until Best added his vital second.
It was sufficient to give the Blues a victory at home in Sydney and prevent a rout.
This was the ideal answer from the Blues and their under-fire coach Brad Fittler after they dropped the series opener in Adelaide and were subsequently humiliated at Queensland’s Suncorp fortress.
With Cody Walker’s selection of the halves duo and the debuts of Newcastle center Best and South Sydney back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi, Fittler’s risks paid off handsomely to deal a blow to the prevailing Maroons.Stand-off Walker and Parramatta scrum-half Mitchell Moses consistently bit into the line to generate space that had been lacking in the other performances, and Walker demonstrated the effectiveness of another Souths combination with lock Cameron Murray in maneuvering the Blues.
Their combination frequently breached Queensland’s right-edge defense, and one such devastating shift led to Addo-Carr’s spectacular single score (a chip ahead and regather).
Walker provided the decisive pass for both of Best’s tries, and captain Tedesco tore through the defense before tossing inside for the game-winning touchdown.
To’o’s goal was scored by an outstanding Koloamatangi tip-on after Addo-Carr had charged down the opposing wing to set up the opportunity.
Billy Slater’s Maroons provided ample proof as to why they were the series victors by forcing the Blues line back, while props Lindsay Collins and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui further enhanced his reputation with an all-action performance.
After Cameron Munster lofted a ball to the corner, he provided the tap-back for Fifita’s surge over, copying Addo-Carr’s genius to grubber in behind and dot down.
Despite their best efforts, the Blues had the Queenslanders covered defensively and deserved this victory; nonetheless, the fact that the Queenslanders received the winner’s shield on ‘enemy’ soil more than made up for the disappointment.
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