2007 State of Origin 3:
New South Wales 18 defeated Queensland 4.
New South Wales avoided a whitewash in an entertaining game three, but it took a massive injury toll to Queensland, and the whole 80 minutes for them to seal the win.
Queensland lost Brent Tate and Greg Inglis to knee injuries, plus lost Dallas Johnson for a long period of time when he knocked himself out making they first tackle of the match. However they battled on despite their reduced stocks in one of the more courageous origin performances. New South Wales needed every inch of their skill, eventually over-running the Maroons in the final five minutes.
Jarryd Hayne opened the scoring in the 21st minute when he crossed out wide, but Queensland returned serve to only trail by two at the break when Justin Hodges scored in the 26th.
New South Wales butchered two simple opportunities in the second half, but finally sealed the match in the 72nd minute when Matt King forced his way across from short range. Debutant Hazem El Masri was left with a sideline conversion to make the margin eight points, which he slotted straight down the middle.
El Masri further exaggerated the margin in the 79th minute when he dived over out wide, and again converted from touch.
Danny Buderus was close to the best on field for the Blues, while Kurt Gidley came on the final 20 minutes and provided the spark for New South Wales to hit the lead (particularly when he moved to fullback once Brett Kimmorley succumbed to injury). The Cronulla pair of Greg Bird and Paul Gallen were also outstanding for New South Wales.