Josh Jackson has been a standout for the Blues throughout the 2016 State of Origin series, having played all but 10 minutes in the back row.
Down 2-0 in the Origin series, NSW were able to avoid a clean sweep for the first time ever in Sydney when Michael Jennings crossed in the 79th minute to give the Blues an 18-14 victory and while it’s disappointing to not take the series, Jackson did say it was nice to end the series on a winning note.
“Yeah it’s great to get the win,” Jackson told nswrl.com.au
“It’s disappointing we couldn’t get the series in game two, but we spoke about how much game three meant to us during the week and how much it meant to the state.
“We wanted to get the win for Laurie and for Gal (Paul Gallen) as well.”
Outgoing skipper Paul Gallen delivered the final pass to Jennings before the speedster crossed the try-line and although the Blues will look back at a couple of missed opportunities that could have turned the series, sending out the most capped Blues captain with a victory was great to see, according to Jackson.
“To send him out a winner is pretty special. He deserves it.”
“He’s a great leader and he deserves to go out a winner.”
When Queensland fullback Darius Boyd scored in the final six minutes to help the Maroons to a 14-12 lead, a whitewash looked inevitable, but a shift to the Blues right hand edge and some handy lead-up play from winger Blake Ferguson allowed for Blues debutant James Tedesco's break in the final 90 seconds only to be cut short of the line thanks to an amazing Cooper Cronk try-saver.
The following play saw New South Wales shift the ball to their left and see Jennings crash over for the winner, but the Boyd try did have the Blues thinking the worse.
“When they scored their last try, it was shattering.
“We spoke behind the try- line about staying positive and getting back into the game.
“Origin is a different beast and anything can happen and you saw it tonight.
“We were lucky to get away with it, but we will take it any day of the week.”
Jackson has been one of the Blues best throughout the series and he spoke of his growing confidence each time he pulls on the sky blue jersey.
“I feel more confident with every game I play.
“The experience that you gain from playing more Origin games, you definitely get the confidence.”
