Set of six: Hayne's pre-game manicure

Jarryd Hayne of the Blues runs with the ball during game three of the State of Origin. Photo / Getty Images

The first two Origin games were nail-biting contests but New South Wales fullback Jarryd Hayne was caught on camera giving himself a pre-game manicure while waiting for Queensland to take the field. Footage of Hayne calmly clipping his nails as trainer Ronnie Palmer looked on quickly gained traction on social media while commentator Peter Sterling described it as a first in all his years involved in the game.

Police come to Thurston's rescue

Apparently Queensland five-eighths Johnathan Thurston forgot his boots when the Maroons left their hotel for Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane police were called in to send a car back to retrieve them, conjuring memories of the 2009 grand final when Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne made the same mistake.

Woods' one-fingered salute

It will be interesting to see if Blues prop Aaron Woods is sanctioned after he was seen giving Queensland fans the one-fingered salute as they celebrated Josh Dugan's second-half try. Many will recall how big Dave Taylor was reprimanded by Maroons officials back in 2012, when he was caught flipping the bird in the direction of the Blues bench after Queensland's dramatic one-point victory in the third and deciding clash.

Te'o the comedian

Queensland's Ben Te'o was in a jovial mood when he arrived early to the post-match press conference. The big back-rower was cracking jokes and when asked how coach Mal Meninga was, replied: "Don't mention the Down Under Bar." One wonders if Channel Nine reporter and Te'o nemesis Danny Weidler was in attendance.

Clash of the Titans

Spare a thought for Titans coach John Cartwright, who had to look on as his two co-captains and opposing forwards Nate Myles and Greg Bird went at it in Wednesday's Origin. Bird was penalised for a dangerous throw on Myles, before his teammate ran back with a raised forearm on the next play. Bird reeled away from the collision and writhed on the turf giving an Oscar-worthy performance while searching for a penalty, but afterwards the two friends apologised and all was forgotten.

Origin niggle-fest

Once again there was plenty of niggle from both sides in the final Origin clash yet no one was willing to throw a punch and risk leaving his team a man down. Blues skipper Paul Gallen was heavily involved, along with Myles and Bird, and Maroons centre Justin Hodges. Both captains, as well as Blues senior men Jarryd Hayne and Robbie Farah, could also be heard constantly chirping away at referees Ben Cummins and Gerald Sutton in an effort to sway their decisions.