New South Wales recorded a face-saving victory over Queensland in a controversial and dramatic finish to the 2009 State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium.

The Blues averted the first series clean sweep in 14 years with a committed and spirited performance that included the first eight-point try in Origin's 29-year history.

But the game ended on an ugly note after Maroons veteran Steve Price was knocked out cold and stretchered off following a punch thrown by NSW prop Brett White.

Blues second-rower Trent Waterhouse was then sent off for being the third man into the brawl.

A number of other skirmishes also broke out following the incident, and NSW forward Ben Creagh and Maroons counterpart Sam Thaiday both ended the game in the sin bin after another fight erupted at the end.

Queensland half-back Johnathan Thurston was also placed on report for striking out with his boot as NSW winger David Williams touched down for a try just before half-time.

The opening exchanges were ferocious, both teams mixing big hits with a multitude of errors, but Williams' error gifted Queensland their first points in the 12th minute.

The flanker dived in on a Thurston grubber kick close to the line and attempted to scoop the ball up for skipper Kurt Gidley, but instead it spilled loose for Dallas Johnson to clean up and ground the ball with his torso.

The try, granted benefit of the doubt by the video referee, was converted by Thurston for a 6-0 lead.

The Blues hit back six minutes later, Anthony Watmough serving up a lovely short ball for Creagh to storm over from close range for his second Origin try. Gidley added the extras to level the scores.

NSW then took the lead in the 34th minute, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Trent Barrett's grubber kick was spilt by Billy Slater in the in-goal, the ball landing in Williams' arms for a simple try.

Thurston led with his boot in attempting to stop Williams from scoring, but collected the Blues winger in the head and was placed on report by the referee, who also awarded an eight-point try to the visitors.

It was the first in Origin history and the first in a senior game since the 2003 NRL season.

Gidley landed the conversion from out wide and added the second two-pointer from in front as the Blues eased to a 14-6 advantage heading into the break.

But just three minutes into the second half, Hodges began a Queensland fightback when he twisted his way out of a tackle and past two defenders to plant the ball down in the corner.

Thurston missed the conversion to leave the Blues up 14-10, and they hit back three minutes later when Barrett sliced through from 10 metres out and sent Josh Morris over with a wonderful one-arm offload.

Gidley added the extras, but Queensland again responded and in the 52nd minute Inglis easily brushed aside Williams and centre-kicked for Slater, who won the race to the ball and touched down for a superb try.

Thurston was on target with the conversion, drawing the hosts to within four points.

But with 14 minutes left, the impressive Creagh picked the ball up from 15 metres out and stormed past a handful of defenders to crash over for the match-sealing try.

Ennis' penalty goal with nine minutes to go gave the Blues further breathing space and there was no way back for Queensland, although the late controversy added a bitter taste to the victory.