NSW Blues five-eighth Cody Walker has been lauded for his phenomenal performance in State of Origin III, having not played for the side since 2020.
The South Sydney star had a hand in a number of tries, finishing with a try assist and line break assist each, as the Blues defeated Queensland 24-10.
On Walker’s left side, debutant Bradman Best finished with a double and Josh Addo-Carr one try, with the five-eighth playing a role every time, earning the admiration of Blues legend Andrew Johns.
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“He’s just got magic in his hands, it’s the only way to describe him,” he said on Nine’s coverage.
“He could go for another five, six, seven years.”
Post-game, Queensland assistant coach Johnathan Thurston was also full of praise for the five-eighth.
“I thought Cody was the difference tonight,” he said.
After Best was denied a try inside the first three minutes due to an offside call, Queensland scored first moments later when David Fifita pounced on a loose ball close to the line.
Watch the State of Origin decider on catch up on 9Now
Blues go sideline to sideline for electric try
The Blues then went into action with Brian To’o and Addo-Carr helping NSW take the lead inside the first 20 minutes, after the latter’s chip and chase effort.
Denied a try earlier, Best finally had his debut four-pointer in the 23rd minute, with Walker putting him through a hole to stroll over.
Both sides then had their fair share of errors and penalties before a piece of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow brilliance put Queensland back in the game. The centre grubbered ahead after a line break, running past Brian To’o to make it 16-10.
Right on half-time, the Blues went further ahead at 18-10 after a Stephen Crichton penalty goal.
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Origin-winning coach Phil Gould believed a change in the Blues’ combinations was key to the strong start.
“I think the South Sydney combination have been the difference tonight,” he said at half-time.
“You know, having (Damien) Cook at dummy half, Cameron Murray in the middle, and Cody Walker has been outstanding on that left edge.
“Every time he gets the ball, the pace of the play changes and he threatens the defence.
“He’s got Foxx (Josh Addo-Carr) away a couple of times. Bradman Best, he nearly got a kick try in the first couple of minutes. He’s got them bamboozled on that left edge.”
Teddy puts Best away for second try
After a physical second half, Walker’s fingerprints were all over another try in the 65th minute when he put James Tedesco in the clear for a line break before the skipper found Best in support to score his second of the night.
Despite a number of close calls to both sides, NSW held on for the 24-10 victory to stop a Queensland sweep with Walker awarded man of the match.
Reuben Cotter was given the Wally Lewis Medal for man of the series.
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