Newcastle enforcer Beau Scott has won premierships and played for his country but he says last night's historic Origin victory for NSW is the moment that caps off his stellar career.
Speaking to Knights TV after the Blues ended Queensland's eight-year Origin dominance with a thrilling 6-4 win at a packed ANZ Stadium in Sydney, a pumped up Scott said the triumph over the Maroons would go down as one of his finest achievements.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but you can see the celebrations going on in here,” Scott said in a jubilant NSW dressing room.
“To go up two-nil and now we’ve got the series won, it’s a great feeling and especially to do it in front of a home crowd.
"I haven’t won an Origin series, so I guess it just tops it (my career) off.
"Having so much support, obviously being in NSW, so it’s pretty special.”
NSW may have got the all-important win, but they it took one almighty effort from Laurie Daley's men to get across the line.
Queensland led 4-0 at the break on the back of two Johnathan Thurston penalty goals and looked a strong chance to force a deciding Game 3 match back at Suncorp Stadium.
But the Blues kept their composure and on the back of a Trent Hodkinson try and goal with just nine minutes remaining they sealed a remarkable victory.
Scott says defence was the key to the win, especially when Queensland launched raid after raid on the NSW line in the second half.
“It was a gutsy effort by both teams," he says.
“One try over 80 minutes is pretty remarkable in the modern game.
“We knew it was going to take an 80 minute effort and it took us until the 70th minute without scoring.
“Then we got a couple of repeat sets on their line and hung on, so it’s great.”
While Scott was full of praise for coach Laurie Daley, he also reserved a special mention for former mentor Ricky Stuart.
"I guess it all started with Ricky," he says.
"He started this culture a couple of years ago now and Loz has just continued it.
"He has really pounded it (the culture) into the players that he picked to be amongst this group of men that have now helped put NSW back on the winning board."
Scott got through the epic Origin match unscathed, but will have to be accessed by Club medical staff this week before taking his place against the Cowboys at Hunter Stadium on Monday night.
