Queensland have made a State of Origin statement, sending the series to a mouth-watering series decider with an imperious 20-point win over New South Wales in Game II.
The Maroons trailed by four points after an enthralling first half in front of more than 91,671 people at the MCG before putting the foot down with six second-half tries to win 44-24 on Wednesday night.
NSW had no answers for Dolphins winger Selwyn Cobbo, who dominated with three tries and one assist, while Mark Nawaqanitawase was the Blues’ most dangerous player with two of his state’s four tries.
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In just his second game at the level, Sydney Roosters star Sam Walker took player of the match honours with a flawless seven from seven conversions and a penalty to go with his impressive work in the halves.
Walker’s halves partner Cameron Munster put on a play-making masterclass to orchestrate the second-half domination.
Cobbo scored twice early in the second half with fellow winger Jojo Fifita leaping high to add a third within 11 minutes as Queensland snared a 14-point lead with 25 minutes to play.
That turned around a four-point halftime deficit, the Maroons having been down 12-8 with the Blues’ finally getting their start right to score through centre Kotoni Staggs.
Debutant NSW winger Nawaqanitawase also touched down early, looking right at home on the Origin stage as he passed a number of early high ball tests.
Queensland did well to keep NSW in check, with both skipper Munster and prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui tested for a HIA during the first half.
Queensland have recovered from a slow start to level the State of Origin series in style. Credit: AAP Despite the disruption, Queensland were able to keep NSW scoreless during that time and instead crossed themselves through Trent Loiero.
Rugby convert Nawaqanitawase showed his freakish finishing prowess to bag a second in 59th minute to put NSW back in the hunt at 26-18.
But they lost Staggs to the sin-bin for a high-shot on Kalyn Ponga as the fullback off-loaded to tryscorer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, putting a dent in their hopes of a fight-back.
Cobbo then capped the night in the 71st minute, diving over for his third.
It was the second highest-scoring game in Origin history, runner-up only to the the Blues’ famous 56-16 drubbing of the Maroons in Game III of 2000.
“The series is locked at one-all — bring on Suncorp,” Mat Thompson said at the end of the game.
NSW will head to Suncorp Stadium on July 8 where they will attempt to win a series-decider in Queensland for just the fourth time in Origin history.
With AAP