MICHAEL MAGUIRE lauded a "special group of players" who made his job as New South Wales coach easy after securing this year's State of Origin series.
In a decider that was spectacular and brutal even by Origin standards, the Blues won 14-4 in Maroon territory at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium last Wednesday.
Bradman Best and Mitchell Moses scored late tries, Zac Lomax kicked three goals and fearless defence kept Queensland try-less. It sealed success in Maguire's first year as New South Wales coach, adding Origin to a haul of personal titles that also includes Super League and the Challenge Cup with Wigan, plus the NRL and World Club Challenge at South Sydney.