By HARRY CLARKE
QUEENSLAND cowboys have proven once again they are a supreme bull riding powerhouse, taking home the 2022 PBR Origin Championship crown with a 424.5 point lead over New South Wales at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
The Maroons have dominated the dirt since the series’ inception in 2019, having now won three from three PBR Origin championships.
Captain Aaron Kleier said his team “had one goal” heading into Saturday night’s final round – to defend their title for another year.
“It always feels good to get my bulls ridden, that’s what I aim to do every time and keep my consistency high,” said Kleier, who secured an 87.5 ride atop St Bucking Bulls’ The Pet in Brisbane.
“Every time we put the Queensland jersey on the boys get in and have a dig, and we’ve got a real good team.
“The boys did a really good job in Brisbane and throughout the overall three events.”
Despite Team New South Wales successfully securing their first ever Origin event win in Tamworth last month, their 165.5 points at the end of last night’s round were no match against Queensland, who finished the round with an impressive 590 points.
New South Wales captain Cody Heffernan said he was proud of his team’s performance and was looking forward to coming back stronger next year.
“They really put in the effort tonight and we had a lot of 7-second-bull rides,” Heffernan said.
“Creating that team bond was important this year and we’ll give the title a good crack again next year.”
WATCH: Qynn Anderson rides Comeback Kid for 86 points
With crucial national points also on the line, Queensland young gun Qynn Andersen finished atop the podium, collecting 416.50 points and pocketing a bonus $20,000.
As a result of the strong individual finish, the 18-year-old surged to number two in the race for the 2022 PBR Monster Energy Tour Australian Championship title.
“It feels great to get all them bulls rode, and I just love riding bulls,” Andersen said.
“It feels different when you’ve got the whole team behind you; everyone rides a bit better and there’s more energy.
“Putting that jersey on, there is no better feeling. It’s hard to describe because it just feels amazing.”
New South Wales veteran Lachlan Richardson placed second in the Origin decider, collecting 339 points, while Dittmann Bucking Bulls’ Cattle King Boogers Beach took home the YETI Bull of the Event after securing 44.5 points.
WATCH: Lachlan Richardson rides Gin n Juice for 84.5 points
PBR Australia general manager Glen Young said the race to this year’s Australian Championship title is now closer than ever, with all top four riders within a mere 36.5 points of one another.
“Qynn Andersen had an impressive performance in Brisbane and is now trailing current No.1 Cody Heffernan by only 6.5 points in the Australian national standings,” Young said.
“Lachlan Richardson has now jumped to No.3 in the national standings courtesy of his performance in Brisbane, with four-time PBR Australia Champion, Aaron Kleier, close behind him in the No.4 spot.
“It is certainly going to be a nail-biting race to the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, which will take place in Townsville in November and is the richest bull riding event in the entire southern hemisphere.
“There is a bonus $7,500 up for grabs for the best rider of the series, alongside a $50,000 year-end bonus for this year’s Australian Champion.
“As the anticipation builds for who will be crowned the 2022 PBR Monster Energy Tour Australian Champion, we’re eager to see how the national standings shape up in the months ahead.”
