When it comes to Queensland’s State of Origin team, nothing is more true to its brand than a victory against all odds. The Maroons faithful are revelling – again – after the most Queensland of wins in Wednesday’s decider at Suncorp Stadium. Backs against the wall, given a chance by few, outclassed and outmanned, the Maroons did what they have done for four decades – they won on courage, smarts and passion.
Billy Slater’s team went into the decider as one of the biggest underdogs in Origin history. A team already well and truly outclassed on paper had lost star Cameron Munster. Tom Dearden and Tom Gilbert were both named to debut in the hottest of furnaces. The rest, they say, is history, and the legend of the Queensland Origin jumper has been added to.
