07/03/2009 New quake hits devastated Italian city
ANOTHER earthquake shook the Italian town of L`Aquila today, days before a summit of the G8 is to open there, civil defence authorities said
07/03/2009 Croatian swine flu victim was in Australia
THE Croatian Government has announced the country`s first swine flu case in a woman who recently returned from Australia
07/03/2009 Musician jailed in forced abortion case
MUSIC star Cheb Mami has been sentenced to five years in jail for trying to make a former lover undergo a forced abortion, despite pleading for forgiveness at his trial near Paris
07/03/2009 Boonen given 11th hour reprieve
Belgian cycling star Tom Boonen has been granted a shock eleventh hour reprieve to compete in the Tour de France which starts on Saturday, his team have confirmed
07/03/2009 Magpies make it six straight
Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke found his best form of the season as the Magpies stretched their winning streak to six with a 35-point victory over Essendon at the MCG on Friday night
07/03/2009 Lady Gaga greets fans in risque outfit
LADY Gaga has let it all hang out with her breasts on show while mingling with patrons at a post-show signing
07/03/2009 Breaking news as Roscoe quits Seven
NINE newsreader Mark Ferguson was poached by Channel Seven to replace Ian Ross, who will quit the network at the end of the year
07/03/2009 Tom and Katie take a trip to the footy
TOM Cruise has celebrated his 47th birthday at a packed MCG for the blockbuster showdown between Collingwood and Essendon
07/03/2009 Marines in `hell of a fight`
US Marines are in a "hell of a fight" as they storm into Taliban strongholds in a major assault in Afghanistan, their commanding officer said today
07/03/2009 Iran ups the ante over embassy arrests
THE head of Iran`s powerful Guardians Council said some local British embassy staff arrested for allegedly playing a role in post-election violence will be put on trial
07/03/2009 US Marines in `hell of a fight`
US Marines are in a "hell of a fight" as they storm into Taliban strongholds in a major assault in Afghanistan, their commanding officer said today
07/03/2009 `Sex, potions and rock n` roll` for Harry
BOY wizard Harry Potter is back in cinemas later this month with the sixth instalment of the movie franchise, and another box office bonanza looks assured for the Warner Bros. studio
07/03/2009 Slippery Soward slices Roosters
A second-half double from Jamie Soward ensured St George Illawarra retained their place at the top of the NRL table after a 34-12 win over Sydney Roosters at WIN Jubilee Oval
07/03/2009 Broncos count cost of victory
South Sydney-bound prop Dave Taylor has finally delivered on his potential, inspiring Brisbane Broncos to a much-needed 28-14 NRL win over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium
07/03/2009 Stoner California dreaming
Valentino Rossi may have stolen a narrow lead in the MotoGP championship standings but Australia`s Casey Stoner is looking to bounce back in the United States this weekend
07/03/2009 British embassy staff to be put on trial
THE head of Iran`s powerful Guardians Council said some local British embassy staff arrested for allegedly playing a role in post-election violence will be put on trial
07/03/2009 Reds close in on Owen
Manchester United are set to sign out-of-favour England striker Michael Owen on a surprise free transfer deal, according to reports in the British press on Friday
07/03/2009 McGrath fires Lee into action
With his Test career on the line and Australia being humbled by the England Lions, Brett Lee was busy playing up to the crowd at the picturesque New Road
07/03/2009 Williams show takes centre stage
Venus and Serena Williams clash in a fourth all-sister Wimbledon final determined to prove their domination of the event is not a backward step for the sport`s future welfare
07/03/2009 Tuqiri weighs up league v rugby
Dumped Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri has revealed he is weighing up whether to return to rugby league or chance his arm in the overseas rugby market
A nightmare build-up was bad enough, but nothing compared to the suffering that awaited New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium.

When the dust settled on a spiteful clash, Queensland had staked their claim as Origin`s greatest by sealing a record fifth straight Origin series with a 34-6 victory.

But more pain is expected for fiery NSW backrower Luke O`Donnell.

The Maroons faithful in the 52,452-strong crowd went into party mode as Queensland continued their golden run - a 10-4 win-loss record since their winning streak began in 2006.

Only Queensland`s 13-3 record from 1922-26 is better.

It was going to take something special to take the focus away from the Andrew Johns racial row that had marred NSW`s shocking countdown to Origin II - but it became a subplot after O`Donnell`s brain explosion.

The Cowboys enforcer was considered lucky not to be sent off in the 26th minute when the match erupted following his ugly spear tackle on Maroons winger Darius Boyd.

He was placed on report - but that may be the least of his worries.

After O`Donnell`s shocking tackle sparked an all-in, the fired-up North Queensland forward could be seen headbutting David Taylor as the Queenslander was restrained by NSW`s Joel Monaghan.

While O`Donnell appeared to come off second best in the end after Sam Thaiday had finished with him, the Cowboys backrower looks set to have an even bigger headache when he appears before the judiciary considering his NRL rap sheet.

Not much had gone right for NSW in the countdown to arguably their most important clash in Origin`s 30-year history.

And the trend certainly continued from the kick-off.

Days after Johns` now infamous racial slurs rocked the countdown to Origin II, the question remained: ``How would the Maroons` indigenous stars respond?``

The fired-up Suncorp Stadium crowd didn`t have to wait long for the answer.

In the third minute a pumped Greg Inglis - the focus of Johns` rant that cost him his NSW assistant-coaching gig - had dragged two defenders over to score.

By the 12th, Israel Folau - another reportedly in Johns` sights on last week`s Blues bonding night - had latched onto a floating Willie Tonga pass and crossed with one of his first touches of the game to make it 10-0.

Asked how the Johns saga had affected him, Inglis told Channel Nine: ``It showed in my game tonight.

"I was pretty upset about it, and it`s pretty disappointing."

Cameron Smith gave NSW a sniff when he inexplicably kicked the ball out on the full not once but twice.

Yet by halftime Queensland had crossed again through Darius Boyd (35th minute) to make it 16-0.

It could have been worse. Billy Slater`s 31st minute effort was called back due to a dubious forward pass ruling.

It was more of the same in the second half as Queensland kept scoring, and players kept biffing.

The niggling act between Inglis and NSW centre Beau Scott boiled over in the 57th minute when the pair went toe to toe.

But there was no stopping the Maroons juggernaut as they blew out to a 34-0 lead through Tonga (44th), Folau (48th) and Cooper Cronk (62nd).

After Brett Morris was called back in the 74th minute for off-side, NSW finally got on the board through prop Brett White in the final minute, ensuring Queensland did not seal a record-breaking victory over the Blues.

It was the only solace for a badly beaten Blues outfit on Wednesday night.

In another headache for NSW, Paul Gallen was placed on report for a 23rd minute high shot on Nate Myles.

"I told you I was going to get him back," Gallen could be heard saying on the referee`s microphone.

AAP

Maroons embarrass woeful Blues   06/16/2010
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