The Albany Gazette - Cleary leads NSW past Queensland to regain State of Origin crown

Cleary led an inspired Blues to an 18-0 lead within the opening half an hour before the visitors weathered a fightback to clinch the best-of-three series in front of 52,452 fans.

It was NSW's 18th triumph and the second time in three years that they secured victory at Queensland's fortress.

Cleary's outstanding performance also included four try conversions and a long-range penalty goal in the 70th minute to ensure the Blues reclaimed the title.

"We were written off. We came together as a group and rallied around each other," Cleary said of the Blues, who finished with five tries to three.

The series had major momentum shifts, with NSW producing the biggest comeback win in Origin history in the opener at home before Queensland drew level in Melbourne.

"We didn't help ourselves and execute, but credit to New South Wales who played a really good game," Maroons hooker Harry Grant said.

The underdog Blues entered a cauldron at Suncorp Stadium and their best efforts to silence the partisan crowd went begging when Jack Bostock fumbled with an open path to the goal line ahead.

But the Blues were rewarded for their toil when Cleary barrelled over the line in the 14th minute before converting his try.

Queensland struggled to match their pumped-up opponent's intensity and were helpless when Cleary dove over the line after a slick offload from Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Cameron Murray added another try before the Maroons finally hit the scoreboard when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored in the left corner just before half-time.

Tensions boiled over before the interval when James Tedesco was flattened by Briton Nikora. Tedesco did not return to the field after failing a head injury assessment.

The never-say-die Queensland inched closer when play resumed after a lucky try to Selwyn Cobbo, who gathered a ricochet off the leg of NSW's Tolutau Koula.

The Maroons threatened to draw closer before Bradman Best steadied after running the length of the field having picked up a loose ball.

There was controversy with replays suggesting that Bostock knocked on in the aerial contest, but the try stood.

The Maroons had faint hope when Jojo Fifita launched over the right corner in the 63th minute.

But Sam Walker missed his third conversion attempt as Queensland's hopes of defending their title fell away.

(Y.Harris--TAG)