Context:

In a thrilling conclusion to the State of Origin rugby league series, Queensland secured a decisive 24-12 victory over New South Wales, clinching the series in the third and final match. The game, held before a packed crowd of 80,256 at Sydney's Olympic stadium, saw Queensland dominate the first half by scoring 20 unanswered points. Notable performances included Xavier Coates's early try and Tom Dearden's two tries, including the decisive one in the final minutes. Emotions ran high as Queensland captain Cameron Munster played shortly after his father's death, with teammates expressing their support through their performance. Queensland's victory marked their 25th series win since the competition's inception in 1982, reinforcing their dominance in this storied rivalry.

Dive Deeper:

• Queensland opened the scoring with 20 unanswered points in the first half, including tries from Xavier Coates and Tom Dearden, to establish a commanding lead against New South Wales.

• Xavier Coates's try in the 18th minute and Tom Dearden's try in the 27th minute were crucial in building an early 14-0 advantage for Queensland, with Valentine Holmes successfully converting both tries.

• Harry Grant's try just before halftime extended Queensland's lead to 20-0, effectively putting them in a strong position going into the second half.

• Despite a second-half try from New South Wales's Stephen Crichton, Tom Dearden's second try in the 73rd minute secured the victory for Queensland, marking their first points scored in the second half of this year's series.

• Cameron Munster's participation in the match, following the recent passing of his father, added an emotional layer to Queensland's victory, with his teammates dedicating their performance to him.

• Queensland's victory not only clinched the series but also highlighted their historical success in the State of Origin, achieving their 25th series win since its inception in 1982.

• New South Wales had initially taken the series lead with a victory in Brisbane, but Queensland's resilience in the subsequent matches, including a narrow win in Perth, showcased their tenacity and skill.