Years of heartache will ensure NSW keep the foot on Queensland's throat as they aim for a State of Origin series whitewash against the rebuilding Maroons.
For just the second time in 13 years, the Blues have sealed a series victory after clinching an 18-14 game two win at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.
Now NSW will look to pull off something even more rare in July 11's game three at Suncorp Stadium.
After the once mighty Maroons won 11 of the past 12 series, Blues playmaker James Maloney believes it's NSW's turn to start piling on the pain by pulling off just their fourth whitewash – and first in 18 years.
NSW had previously put a blue rinse through Queensland with a 3-0 series triumph in 1986, 1996 and 2000. Queensland have completed the feat four times – 1988, 1989, 1995 and 2010.
"The biggest challenge is mental. It's easy when Queensland go back and have nothing but pride to play for," Maloney said.
"The series is done so we don't really have so much to play for so we need to find (a reason), it needs to be important to us.
"But I am sure we will make it important, go up there and have a real crack."
NSW savoured their first series win in four years after a rollercoaster ride at a sold-out ANZ Stadium.
The Blues were gifted four points with a 31st minute penalty try to captain Boyd Cordner but had to dig in when centre James Roberts was sin binned for a professional foul in the 69th minute.
It was a nightmare start to life without retired greats Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk and big forward Matt Scott for Queensland but the stuff of dreams for long suffering Blues fans.
Asked if he thought winning a series against a Maroons outfit without their Big Three had made it a hollow victory, Maloney said: “Not really.
“They made their decision and you can only play who is in front of you.
“That was a good Queensland side out there. In the first two games there was a slightly better NSW side.”
Sparked by veteran fullback Billy Slater and exciting debutant Kalyn Ponga, Queensland threatened to break NSW hearts with Roberts banished and skipper Cordner coming off in the final five minutes with concussion.
But NSW coach Brad Fittler reckoned the thought of yet another Maroons miracle never crossed his mind.
Sporting a blue wig and sipping a celebratory beer at the post-match press conference with Fittler, Maloney said: “It was never going to go to plan, it never does.
“We said things will go against us and it is how we react. We reacted the right way, we turned up for each other.”
AAP
