Some 1.774 million viewers tuned in to watch Queensland restore some Origin pride with its 18-12 win over the Blues in last night’s dead rubber match.

As is to be expected the numbers were well down on the deciding second game which attracted 2.53 million and remains the most watched TV event of 2018. Although last night’s numbers don’t include people who watched the game in pubs and clubs or regional viewers.

Last night’s match was down 29 per cent on the corresponding match last year, however, that game was a decider.

Still, the footy was enough to give Nine a thumping win for the night, the network snaring 39.3 per cent audience share. Seven was a distant second with 24.5 per cent, Ten had 15.6 per cent, the ABC pulled 12.9 per cent and SBS mustered 7.7 per cent.

Interestingly, Origin didn’t give Nine’s news a halo affect. Seven’s 6pm bulletin (1.13 million) comfortably seeing off Nine’s efforts (943,000).

On the back of the footy, MasterChef (747,000) and House Rules (610,000) both had disappointing nights. In fact, both the reality shows were beaten by the ABC’s 7pm news bulletin that boated 784,000.

Footy fans also deserted Ten’s The Project that had a night to forget, managing a mere 375,000.

Over at the ABC, it’s other highlights included 7.30 (498,000), The Weekly With Charlie Pickering (448,000) and Julia Zemiros’ Home Delivery (441,000).