BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Maroons hold on in epic

Rugby union target Lote Tuqiri gave them the lead after just five minutes by equalling the Origin try-scoring record with his fifth touchdown of the series.

But the Queensland wing converted only one of his team's four tries and, without Carlaw's last gasp score, that failure with the boot would have cost his team the series.

Tuqiri's try came courtesy of NSW wing Timana Tahu losing possession deep in his own half.

Darren Lockyer capitalised to slide a well-weighted kick through the Blues' defence for Tuqiri to touch down the try that equalled Ryan Girdler's series record.

Queensland square series

However, the lead lasted just five minutes as the hosts scored with their first serious attack.

Trent Barrett's sharp inside pass sent Steve Menzies charging through on a clever angle to score a try that Johns converted for a 6-4 lead.

Queensland maintained their grip on territory, though, and regained their advantage midway through the half when Shaun Berrigan found a gap after Chris Walker and Lockyer had been stopped short.

Halfbacks Andrew Johns and Allan Langer
Andrew Johns (left) was on target with the boot
But Tuqiri missed a simple conversion, with the consequence that the Maroons would end the half trailing 12-8 once the Blues had levelled the try-count.

That second NSW touchdown came in the 27th minute and was again created by Barrett, whose clean break in centre field set up Moodie for a simple score.

Queensland emerged from the break to dominate the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

But they could not breach the Blues rearguard and even required a vital intervention from Lockyer and a video referee's verdict to avoid falling further behind.

Tahu was adjudged to have dropped the ball over the line and the Maroons made the most of their escape to score again on the hour, prop Shaun Webcke proving unstoppable from 12 metres out.

NSW take opener

This time, Tuqiri converted for a 14-12 lead and Queensland set about defending their two-point cushion for the final quarter.

But Wayne Bennett's team looked to have fallen tantalisingly short when the Blues edged back in front with just four minutes to play.

NSW produced a textbook passing movement before Barrett's superb offload created room for Moodie to score on the left.

Johns' touchline conversion appeared to have sealed victory but the hosts had reckoned without Carlaw's last minute heroics, which ensured the trophy remained in Quensland hands.

New South Wales: Brett Hodgson, Timana Tahu, Matthew Gidley, Shaun Timmins, Jason Moodie, Trent Barrett, Andrew Johns (capt), Luke Bailey, Danny Buderus, Jason Ryles, Steve Simpson, Steve Menzies, Luke Ricketson Replacements: Scott Hill, Bryan Fletcher, Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Vella.

Queensland: Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuqiri, Chris Walker, Chris McKenna, Robbie O'Davis, Shaun Berrigan, Allan Langer, Shane Webcke, PJ Marsh, Petero Civoniceva, Gorden Tallis (capt), Dane Carlaw, Darren Smith Replacements: Travis Norton, Steven Price, Andrew Gee, Brent Tate.

Referee: B Harrigan


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