Blues captain Isaah Yeo believes NSW did not learn from their Game II defeat in Perth.
The home side fell 24-12 to Queensland in Sydney on Wednesday night, with the shield switching hands again.
NSW headed into the sheds down 20-0 – the same deficit they faced at Optus Stadium, where they were trailing 26-6 at half-time.
While the Blues improved in the second period, it was, again, too little, too late.
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Yeo reflected on his team's defeat, which he described as "disappointing".
The captain was particularly frustrated that they failed to fire in the first halves in Perth and Sydney – both matches where they could have clinched the series.
He also noted how Queensland were able to limit NSW's offensive freedom on Wednesday by "jamming" their edge attack.
"Definitely, that first half we struggled," Yeo said in the post-match press conference.
"They did a really good job of thwarting our edges. The way they defended it by jamming us … which [we knew] they were going to, but we couldn't get out of our own way.
"We'd sort of make push passes. We probably weren't patient enough at times.
"And then anytime they had a 50-50 moment, they’d make half a line break. It’d be Hamiso [Tabuai-Fidow] or Tommy Dearden, who can push up through the middle. And they were capitalising on little moments like that.
"So again, it’s probably a repeat of the Perth game. Happy with how we responded at half time, but … it was 20-nil at halftime.
"You can't be doing that in Origin, particularly in the decider.
"So it's one of those opportunities. You go up to Queensland, you win, and there's an opportunity there in Perth, and then at home, in front of your home fans, you missed the jump ... missed the first half in both those.
"Yeah, very disappointing."