Queensland coach Mal Meninga declined to declare the Maroons are on the verge of long-term Origin domination despite taking the series for the third year in a row with a gutsy 16-10 win over NSW in Wednesday night's decider at ANZ Stadium.
Labelling the current crop of players 'special', Meninga pointed out that Queensland was already living through a golden period after holding the Origin crown from 2006-08.
"We've won three in a row - how good's that?" a jubilant Meninga said.
"We're satisfied with that. We'll go and celebrate."
"They are a special group of young men."
Asked what made Maroons teams so hard to beat when their backs are to the wall, Meninga replied: "It's something that we're born with, simple as that."
"Yes they've got the passion and desire and will to win and we like the underdog tag and we don't like coming here (to Sydney), but it's something that's in-bred in us."
"We seem to bring it out when it's needed."
Adversity is often Queensland's best friend and again it was the case as the Maroons fought back from 1-0 down in the series to win two straight matches.
They had their problems in the decider, losing half-back Scott Prince to injury early and trailing for long periods of the match at a ground where they had only won once before.
"It felt like a war zone. Losing Scotty Prince after 15 minutes put a bit of a dent in the way we wanted to play with the footy, but then 'JT' (Jonathan Thurston) stood up and Karmichael (Hunt) stood up and 'Smithy' (Cameron Smith) stood up and directed us around the park," Meninga said.
"It was a fantastic effort. They were talking the right language at half-time."
"They knew what they had to do and they did it."
"We just had to hang in there and be patient."
"Defensively we were outstanding. They were willing to do whatever it took to win the game."
"They deserve all the accolades they can get. It was a really tough win against the odds."
Thurston added: "You'd do anything for a win and I'm very proud of the boys and very proud to be part of the team."
Meanwhile, Queensland prop Nate Myles faces a six-eight week suspension after being charged with a dangerous throw (grade three) on NSW prop Ben Cross.
Labelling the current crop of players 'special', Meninga pointed out that Queensland was already living through a golden period after holding the Origin crown from 2006-08.
"We've won three in a row - how good's that?" a jubilant Meninga said.
"We're satisfied with that. We'll go and celebrate."
"They are a special group of young men."
Asked what made Maroons teams so hard to beat when their backs are to the wall, Meninga replied: "It's something that we're born with, simple as that."
"Yes they've got the passion and desire and will to win and we like the underdog tag and we don't like coming here (to Sydney), but it's something that's in-bred in us."
"We seem to bring it out when it's needed."
Adversity is often Queensland's best friend and again it was the case as the Maroons fought back from 1-0 down in the series to win two straight matches.
They had their problems in the decider, losing half-back Scott Prince to injury early and trailing for long periods of the match at a ground where they had only won once before.
"It felt like a war zone. Losing Scotty Prince after 15 minutes put a bit of a dent in the way we wanted to play with the footy, but then 'JT' (Jonathan Thurston) stood up and Karmichael (Hunt) stood up and 'Smithy' (Cameron Smith) stood up and directed us around the park," Meninga said.
"It was a fantastic effort. They were talking the right language at half-time."
"They knew what they had to do and they did it."
"We just had to hang in there and be patient."
"Defensively we were outstanding. They were willing to do whatever it took to win the game."
"They deserve all the accolades they can get. It was a really tough win against the odds."
Thurston added: "You'd do anything for a win and I'm very proud of the boys and very proud to be part of the team."
Meanwhile, Queensland prop Nate Myles faces a six-eight week suspension after being charged with a dangerous throw (grade three) on NSW prop Ben Cross.
