Stars say goodbye as NSW win State of Origin

New South Wales coach Phil Gould and legendary stand-off Brad Fittler bowed out of representative rugby league football as winners today as the Blues beat Queensland 36-14 to retain the State of Origin series.

Fittler brought the capacity crowd of more than 82,000 packed into Sydney’s Telstra Stadium to its feet after he charged down an attempted clearance kick with six minutes left and scored under the posts.

It was a fitting end to a series decider that NSW deserved to win.

Mark Gasnier, who has been linked with a move to Wigan and was dropped from the opening game of the series for disciplinary reasons, touched down twice as the Blues established a lead in the first half.

Trent Barrett, Luke Rooney and Anthony Minichello also crossed before Fittler wrapped up a fine night for NSW.

Billy Slater scored early on for Queensland but by the time Matthew Bowen grabbed their second three minutes from time the game was over.