Today, New South Welshmen woke up with a smile on their face and Queenslanders woke up with a hangover after drowning their sorrows. The 18-8 victory to the Blues was described by some as a turning point for the Blues, showing off some spectacularly innovative football.

As part of an elite athlete exchange program, the Wombats were guests of the NSW Blues for Origin II, spending part of the week in camp with the boys and origin night in the Blues dugout. It was an experience described by the Wombats as “the greatest week ever, with a happy ending.”

After a cracker first half, the Blues headed into the sheds with their chins up, knowing that they were in with a chance. While Ricky Stuart addressed the team to work out who owed what for dinner the night before, our own Jem pulled Mitch Pearce and Jamie Soward to one side to offer some advice – the rest, as they say, is history.

When asked what he said to the two NSW halves, Jem replied “We never go into what goes on in our team shower, so it would be wrong of me to tell you what we did in the Blues’ shed…” Whatever was said, it was appreciated by Blues captain, Paul Gallen, thanking the Wombats on behalf of all of the Blues during the press conference. So to Gal and the boys, you’re welcome and thanks for a great week.