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QUEENSLAND are on their way to a historic fourth straight State of Origin series triumph after a nail-biting 28-18 win over NSW in Melbourne.

But the Maroons could have to do it without Justin Hodges, who limped from the field in the 25th minute with medial ligament damage, the Broncos Test centre returning to the bench for the second half on crutches and with the right knee heavily strapped.



His injury, which is likely to sideline him for at least a month, could open the way for Cowboys star Willie Tonga to return to Origin football after a four-year absence.
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In front of a near-capacity crowd of 50,967 at Docklands Stadium Queensland attempted to blow NSW off the park.

Perhaps they were heeding the call from 1970s Maroon stars John Grant and Greg Veivers to show no mercy after the Blues went through that entire decade without losing a series. Grant and Veivers presented the Queensland players with their caps on Monday at the invitation of coach Mal Meninga.

NSW had seven players making their debuts, and while there could be some mental scars for the return clash in Sydney on June 24, their second-half effort showed this is a team that could build into something special if the selectors are willing to be patient.

Up 18-2 after 18 minutes and 18-6 at halftime, Queensland looked to have delivered the knockout punch three minutes after the interval when centre Greg Inglis scored his second try, a magnificent 73m effort from a superb Johnathan Thurston pass.

That made it 24-6, but to the Blues' credit they clawed their way back into the contest with utility Craig Wing scoring in the 56th minute after Ben Creagh swooped on a well-placed Peter Wallace kick.

When the Blues' best player, winger Jarryd Hayne, crossed in the 68th minute, the stage was set for yet another thrilling Origin finish.

Queensland could scarcely believe their luck, ahead 18-2 after 18 minutes, particularly as NSW had drawn first blood through a penalty goal to skipper Kurt Gidley in the fourth minute.

This was followed four minutes later by a sideline dash by Hayne, who was denied one of the tries of the year by video referees Bill Harrigan and Tim Mander.

Hayne was ruled to have put his foot on the touchline after scooting into the clear from a clever blindside move and then beating fullback Billy Slater.

The irony of it all was Hayne managed to stay in when under pressure from Israel Folau, but put his foot on the line when there was no one near him.

Just to prove it is a game of centimetres, Slater scored for Queensland in the 10th minute, getting the ball down just before it went dead from a Cameron Smith grubber kick.

Queensland turned on the razzle dazzle with Inglis and Thurston scoring in the 14th and 18th minutes.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,25581725-5003409,00.html