The New South Wales rugby league coach Laurie Daley has hailed the Blues drought-breaking State of Origin win as the highlight of his glittering career.
Trent Hodkinson's try and conversion seven minutes from time sealed the tense 6-4 win in front of a crowd of 83,421, as New South Wales ended eight years of Queensland Origin dominance.
Star fullback Jarryd Hayne ran the ball dead to end the match before being overcome by emotion, the Eels flyer in tears as he told reporters the win had been "a long time coming."
Coach Daley becomes just the second man to play, captain and coach a Blues side to a series win over Queensland and the 44-year-old says the experience of watching his side win a first series in nine years eclipses anything he achieved as a player.
