New South Wales Blues v Queensland Maroons, talking points, Mitchell Moses, Billy Slater, Jarome Luai, Zac Lomax, Kalyn Ponga – MASHAHER

New South Wales made history in the Origin decider on Wednesday night as Queensland were left asking themselves where it all went wrong after surrendering a 1-0 series lead.

Blues’ dynamic duo Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai came of age together in the halves, while Maroons coach Billy Slater is under pressure for the first time.

Read on for all the biggest talking points out of State of Origin III.

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WILL MOSES KEEP CLEARY OUT OF THIS WINNING BLUES SIDE?

NSW halfback Mitchell Moses finally nailed his moment on the big stage.

Moses has been criticised for years in clubland as being unable to take step up when it matters and deliver the Eels a drought-breaking premiership.

But with the weight of New South Wales resting on his shoulders, Moses etched his name into the history books as just the third Blues halfback to win an Origin decider in Brisbane.

The 29-year-old had a night to remember at Suncorp Stadium.

Moses made a try-saving tackle on Reece Walsh in full flight with the game in the balance in the second half in one of several big defensive plays.

But his attack wasn’t to be outdone, Moses stepped off his left foot twice to beat Harry Grant then Walsh to score the match-sealer in the 68th minute.

Now the question must be asked – does he deserve to hold onto his jersey next year?

Moses only had the No. 7 on his back because Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary was injured.

But do you mess with a winning formula?

NSW coach Michael Maguire is known for his loyalty and it wouldn’t surprise to see him give the first crack next year to his incumbent, who dominated this series.

Moses can now lay claim to being a proven big-game winner in the Origin arena, which is the only blemish on Cleary’s otherwise outstanding resume.

Moses appeared to tear his bicep at the end of the game in a season-ending injury, but he’ll be firing fit next year and undoubtedly providing Maguire with a selection headache.

MORE ORIGIN NEWS

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BILLY’S BIZARRE CALLS MUST BE QUESTIONED

Queensland coach Billy Slater is under pressure for the first time in his coaching career.

Slater burst out of the blocks with two straight series wins, but now he’s just the third Maroons coach to surrender a 1-0 lead in a series.

Slater’s bizarre tactics must be scrutinised to work out where it all went wrong for the Queenslander this year.

Why was 31-year-old backrower Kurt Capewell, who is clearly past his prime, selected over 24-year-old sensation David Fifita?

Why did Slater start another ageing backrower, Felise Kaufusi, but then only use him for the opening 15 minutes of the game?

Why didn’t Slater replace a clearly hampered Reece Walsh in the second half with the reigning Dally M Medal winner and fellow superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga?

Why was Selwyn Cobbo dropped for Game 2? The young outside back at times on Wednesday night didn’t exactly look like someone who was playing for his coach.

These are all fair questions and if Slater can’t deliver a result next year then he’ll be under huge pressure to see out the end of his contract, which runs until 2026.

Slater largely blamed the officiating for Queensland’s tight loss in the decider instead of taking responsibility for his calls.

“Things just weren’t going our way, it didn’t feel like we got the bounce of the ball or the rub of the green and that tells in the end with fatigue,” Slater said.

“I’m sure the referee will review his own game. I’m sure his boss will review his game.”

It’s going to be a long 12 months for Slater waiting for a shot at redemption.

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‘BANISHED’: Wild scenes as NRL evicts NSW reserve over role in ugly melee

‘I CAN’T DISAPPEAR’: Walsh in hot water over ugly kick on Blues flyer

FORMER BLUES WHIPPING BOY ENJOYS LAST LAUGH

It’s been quite the State of Origin journey for Jarome Luai, who has now experienced the highest of highs in this arena in addition to several lows.

He has been a whipping boy following Blues defeats in recent seasons, and incidents which include standing over a concussed Selwyn Cobbo in 2022 hasn’t helped his public image.

Then, there was his controversial social media post in the wake of New South Wales’ series loss last year which caused plenty of heat to come his way.

There were many who thought that heavy Game II loss could have been Luai’s last game in sky blue, but his form in the first half of this season for Penrith coupled with some injuries in the halves, made it hard for new coach Michael Maguire to overlook him.

Luai played all three games of the series, and was close to the Blues’ best in 2024, providing many highlights.

However, it was his 65th minute run and try assist which proved to be the most crucial play of the entire series and potentially the defining moment of Luai’s representative career.

With the game in an arm wrestle and the Blues down 4-2, it was going to take some individual brilliance to break the game open.

Up stepped Luai, who took advantage of some tiring Maroons defenders down the left edge and broke the line to find open space.

He didn’t panic despite the initial lack of support from his teammates, instead slowing down to wait for Bradman Best to his left, who received the Luai pass and finished the job to score in the corner and give the Blues an 8-4 lead after Zac Lomax nailed the conversion.

Luai relived the try to Channel 9 post-game.

“I felt pretty slow. Besty was there. I think he done really well to take that pass. He beat another three tackles. Good to see him get the job done for us,” Luai said.

The Blues five-eighth also spoke about his team’s resolve to come back from a 1-0 series hole and trailing at half time of Game III to win New South Wales’ first series since 2021.

“Going down by two points at half time, I don’t think I have ever felt so calm.

“I just had that belief in what we had as a group. Just had that mentality of we don’t mind if we’re going to win this in the 79th minute, we’re going to get it done.

“Hopefully the Blues fans can appreciate that.”

Phil Gould credited the play of the Blues’ halves, believing they “came of age”.

“That’s why the champion halves were so important in rugby league. You don’t win comps without Origin-class halfbacks,” Gould said.

“Both players really came of age tonight. Jarome Luai and Mitchell Moses on the biggest stage possible.

“Both of them had big moments in that game which eventually got NSW the win.”

CRUCIAL LOMAX MOMENT GOES UNNOTICED AS ORIGIN ROOKIE STARS

There were many key moments in an entertaining decider, but a Maroons legend has highlighted one that might be overlooked.

With the Blues down 2-0 in the 45th minute, New South Wales received a penalty after Maroons lock Pat Carrigan contacted the kicker late.

Facing a tough sideline conversion, Blues skipper Isaah Yeo decided to place his faith in Origin rookie Zac Lomax to attempt the kick to tie the game up.

Lomax, in just his third Origin, was cool under pressure and slotted the conversion.

The points gave the Blues some confidence and relieved a little bit of scoreboard pressure.

Queensland great Paul Vautin lauded the Blues decision making in that moment as well as Lomax’s poise.

“I thought one of the gutsiest things I saw tonight was to give Zac Lomax the kick to get it back to 2-2 from two inches in from the sideline,” Vautin said on Channel 9.

“That’s confidence. You know, he got it, nailed it, it’s a confidence booster. All right, boys, we’re 2-2. Let’s go ahead now. Let’s fire up now. Let’s just rip and tear.

“The two-point lead to Queensland was in their heads. They wanted to try to erase that to be thinking straight about the game.

“Taking the kick from the sideline like that was a brave call, it was a brave kick and it seemed to settle NSW down. He came up with another kick that extended the lead (later in the game).”

Lomax was perfect with the boot, kicking three from three and eight of ten for the series.

However, his kicking deeds were only a small part of the massive impact he had for the Blues this series.

The Temora product’s outstanding aerial ability was on display in all three games, as was his strong ball-carrying.

In the decider, Lomax had 141 running metres and six tackle busts.

The followed 111 metres, six tackle busts and two tries in Game II as well as 205 metres and a try in Game I.

Former Blues coach Phil Gould says Lomax is made for Origin, revealing he had been pushing for his selection for some time.

“I’ve been saying for years that he was probably underachieving but I saw Origin in him the whole time,” Gould said.

“I used to say to (former Blues coach) Brad (Fittler) years ago, ‘don’t be afraid to pick him for Origin’.

“He showed tonight he’s got the tenacity, the constitution for hard work, the toughness and he’s got the ability.”

KAUFUSI CALL RAISES EYEBROWS

Felise Kaufusi was promoted to the starting side in one of the four changes Queensland coach Billy Slater sprung before kick-off. But how the veteran forward was used will surely raise some eyebrows around the game.

The opening 20 minutes were always going to be brutal so the idea of having Kaufusi — and his 16 games of Origin experience — on deck to take the sting out of the game made sense.

But in the 15 minutes he spent on the field, the 32-year-old was barely sighted, taking just one run for four metres and making five tackles with two misses.

That’s on Kaufusi, but the call not to use him again is on Slater.

While Kaufusi sat on the bench it was up to the likes of Moeaki Fotuaika, Kurt Capewell and Reuben Cotter to carry the load while Patrick Carrigan pulled out a superhuman effort by playing 80 minutes.

This series was always going to be tough for Queensland’s engine room given Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Gilbert and Thomas Flegler were unavailable due to injury. Game three was made even tougher for the big men when Slater decided to use a bench spot on Kalyn Ponga.

The forwards fatigued, understandably, and a gap opened up in the middle for Mitchell Moses to score NSW’s match-sealing try.

That’s what Darren Lockyer believes “was the difference” with the Queensland legend conceding after the game “we just didn’t have enough big men.”

And he’s right. In hindsight, Queensland didn’t have enough big men because a hooker/half in Ben Hunt and a fullback/five-eighth in Ponga were on the bench.

But there was still Kaufusi — versatile enough to play prop or second row — who sat relatively fresh on the sideline for 65 minutes of the game.

If Slater wants to carry a back on the bench he needs to make the most of every forward he has available in the 17.