Blues young gun Ethan Strange announced himself as a potential future star of the NRL on Thursday night, crossing for a hat-trick as New South Wales trounced Queensland in the under-19 men’s State of Origin clash.
Strange, playing at right centre, scored three impressive tries in a man-of-the-match performance as the Blues beat the Maroons 32-14 at Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe.
For the Central Coast product’s first try, he pulled off a right-foot step and bustled over, before adding another four-pointer when he chased a kick, soccered the footy, mopped up and scored.
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He then completed his hat-trick when he leapt above a defender, gobbled up a kick from playmaker Joash Papalii and dotted down.
“Gold watch,” Andrew Johns said on Nine’s coverage when Strange bagged his third try.
“That’s great vision from young Joash Papalii,” Phil Gould added on the Nine broadcast.
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U19 Men’s State of Origin Highlights: NSW v QLD
“If you’re going to kick it to someone, kick it to someone who can put their hand down a toilet and pull out a gold watch.
“The vision from Joash Papalii — he’s been playing NSW Cup against men — was just perfectly placed.
“Give me that gold watch, baby!”
The result did not go the way of the Blues in the under-19 women’s match, with Queensland overcoming NSW 20-14 at Dolphin Stadium.
Maroons lock Rilee Jorgensen claimed player of the match.
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