NEW SOUTH WALES 24 QUEENSLAND 44
STEPHEN IBBETSON, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Wednesday

THE BIGGEST crowd in State of Origin history witnessed a devastating second-half Queensland display which sends this year’s series to a tantalising decider.

There were 91,671 packed into the MCG, surpassing the 91,513 recorded at the same ground for game two in 2015.

But only those of a Maroon persuasion will have enjoyed the second-highest scoring Origin match of all time, as the 36 points racked up by Queensland after trailing at the break proved decisive.

Cameron Munster, who assisted two tries and contributed to several others, and Sam Walker, kicking eight goals from as many attempts in only his second state appearance, both dazzled in the halves while Selwyn Cobbo helped himself to a hat-trick.

Having mounted a remarkable fightback in game one then led by ten points after 25 minutes here, New South Wales must now win on enemy territory at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, July 8.

Queensland opened the scoring through a Walker penalty, but from the restart Thomas Flegler fumbled off the back fence, Mark Nawaqanitawase claimed possession and, despite being taken down by three defenders, managed to offload for a Kotoni Staggs try.

There was also some good fortune for the second New South Wales try in the 21st minute, with Nawaqanitawase this time the scorer on his Origin debut.

A Cleary kick came back off the hand of Munster and into the hands of the Blues general, who immediately fired a brilliant cut-out pass to his right winger.

Cleary also kicked the touchline conversion, adding to his first goal and making it 12-2 – but Queensland, having so far struggled to make any ground, responded with a brilliant try.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow sparked it with a break but was tackled by James Tedesco. With the next play, Grant found Munster, who threw an outrageous offload out to his halfback partner Walker. From there it was shifted through Max Plath to fellow sub Trent Loiero, who completed the score, converted by Walker.

Munster was forced off for a head-injury assessment in the aftermath of that, denying the Maroons his nous in the final minutes of a first half they finished on top of yet trailed 12-8.

However, the break did nothing to halt their momentum – quite the opposite, in fact.

Munster set up the go-ahead try seven minutes in, sending a kick for Selwyn Cobbo to score his first. It came from a Walker kick contested and won by Robert Toia, then recycled through Plath for Munster.

Then a wonderful rehearsed scrum play saw Walker play a blind pass to the overlapping Ponga, who found Cobbo in the corner.

And Queensland made it three thrilling tries – all converted by Walker – in ten minutes when Munster launched the ball into the air for Jojo Fifita to emphatically outjump opposing winger Brian To’o, following a Ponga break down the left flank.

Just as it looked like the game was over at 26-12, an error and a penalty gave Nawaqanitawase the opportunity to smartly step his way over for his second try of the night, accompanied by Cleary’s third goal.

But Blues hopes were dashed in one decisive passage of play when Tabuai-Fidow, combining with Cobbo, scored after Ponga got a pass away before being struck late and high by the shoulder of Staggs.

Staggs was sent to the sin bin and Walker goaled to restore Queensland’s 14-point lead – which was increased by a further twelve points while they had the man advantage.

Grant took control for the next try by finding space behind the ruck and Lindsay Collins in support, then Cobbo grabbed his hat-trick eight minutes from time via quick play by Ponga and Tabuai-Fidow.

Mitch Barnett’s try at the end was of little consolation for the Blues, who have much to think about before the decider.

GAMESTAR: Cameron Munster had the ball on a string – although it could go to any member of the Queensland spine.

GAMEBREAKER: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s try and Kotoni Staggs’ sin bin settled the contest in one swoop.

MATCHFACTS

BLUES
1 James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2 Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
3 Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)
4 Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
5 Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
6 Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
7 Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8 Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
9 Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
10 Mitchell Barnett (New Zealand Warriors)
11 Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
12 Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights)
13 Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
Subs
14 Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15 Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
16 Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
17 Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers) (not used)
18 Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
19 Jack Bostock (Dolphins) (not used)

Tries: Staggs (7), Nawaqanitawase (21, 60), Barnett (78)
Goals: Cleary 4/4
Sin bin: Staggs (63) – high tackle

MAROONS
1 Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
2 Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins)
3 Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
5 Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
6 Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
7 Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)
8 Thomas Flegler (Dolphins)
9 Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
11 Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks)
12 Kurt Capewell (New Zealand Warriors)
13 Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
Subs
14 Max Plath (Dolphins)
15 Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)
17 Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)
18 Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos) (not used)
19 Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys) (not used)

Tries: Loiero (26), Cobbo (47, 52, 72), Fifita (57), Tabuai-Fidow (63), Collins (66)
Goals: Walker 8/8

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-2, 6-2, 12-2, 12-8; 12-14, 12-20, 12-26, 18-26, 18-32, 18-38, 18-44, 24-44

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Blues: Mark Nawaqanitawase; Maroons: Cameron Munster

Penalty count: 2-5
Half-time: 12-8
Referee: Ashley Klein
Attendance: 91,671