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New South Wales Anthony Minichiello scores a try against Queensland during game 2 of the State of Origin Rugby League series in Sydney, Wednesday, June 15, 2011. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
New South Wales won the second game of the State of Origin 2011 to keep the series alive going into the third game. Two tries in the second-half to the Blues sealed the game as Queensland were unable to make an impact later into the game.
Origin II Result: New South Wales: 18 Queensland: 8
The game opened with early points to Queensland, a penalty to the Maroons allowing Thurston to kick a penalty goal for Queensland to grab a two point lead.
Shortly after with the Blues on attack a penalty gave Jamie Soward a shot at goal, which dampened a strong push by New South Wales. Soward hit the post to keep Queensland with a two point advantage.
Cameron Smith then made New South Wales pay, barging over from dummy-half for a soft try after twenty-five minutes, to give Queensland a handy 8-0 lead over the Blues.
Luke Lewis then scored for New South Wales from a Mitchell Pearce kick to get the Blues on the board after twenty-eight minutes, and Jamie Soward converted from far on the left touchline to get the game back to within two points.
The game continued with a flurry of attacks, with Uate causing Queensland trouble on the right side of attack, while Inglis and Thurston created headaches for the Blues defence.
However, neither team could get the ball over the line, and the teams went into half-time with New South Wales trailing Queensland by two.
After half-time, Queensland mistakes handed New South Wales the ball, and off a repeat set New South Wales attacked the line with an over-the-top pass from Mitchell Pearce finding winger Will Hopoate, who stretched out brilliantly to touch the ball down for a try with just millimetres to spare.
Soward converted another tough goal and the Blues were up 12-8 with half an hour on the clock.
The game continued to flow back and forth, but New South Wales were let off the hook by the Queensland side which made errors on key plays.
The Blues then sealed the game with just three minutes to go, Jamie Soward making a half-break to pop a ball to a steaming Anthony Minichello who hit the line to score a try on his return game in a strong performance by the fullback.
Soward converted his only easy shot on goal to give the Blues a ten point lead with not enough time on the clock for the Maroons to consider a comeback.
The Origin series moves to Queensland for the final game on July 6th at an already sold-out Suncorp Stadium. The Blues will be buoyed by the win, but will face a tougher task on Queensland home soil.
NSW Captain Paul Gallen was Man of the Match for State of Origin II
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June 15th 2011 @ 10:21pm
Ray said | June 15th 2011 @ 10:21pm | Report comment
What a game! I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an origin like that. I don’t think I’ll be as excited if we win in Queensland in 3 weeks. The big crowd, the exciting ball movement and magnificent defence. Congratulations to New South Wales for a fantastic performance. Bring on game 3!!!!
June 15th 2011 @ 11:35pm
mds1970 said | June 15th 2011 @ 11:35pm | Report comment
Sensational crowd, sensational atmosphere – I was fortunate enough to be there tonight, and it was a great night.
Paul Gallen was player of the match, but I would have given it to Luke Lewis; I thought he played a sensational game. And young Will Hopoate had an Origin debut to remember. For NSW’s sake, hopefully he can keep his skills and fitness up while he’s away doing his missionary service.
June 15th 2011 @ 10:23pm
Stu said | June 15th 2011 @ 10:23pm | Report comment
Uate knocked on before Inglis with a few minutes to go, didn’t change the game though. Ah well, that’s all the Victoria Bitter Blues have. QLD should win game III.
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June 16th 2011 @ 12:02am
Texas said | June 16th 2011 @ 12:02am | Report comment
I thought The maroons were having a training run really.Because they just didn’t seem to worry too much about unleashing there backline.Watching the replay showed that we ran out the backs Never.We pretty nuch kept it nice and tight.I din’t think Queensland got out of 1st gear to tell you truth??…But congatz anyway and c u all at Game 3
June 18th 2011 @ 1:56am
Vikki Gibbs said | June 18th 2011 @ 1:56am | Report comment
What, do you have a crystal ball??
June 15th 2011 @ 10:26pm
Chris said | June 15th 2011 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
Uate knocked on? What a lunatic Stu is, can you say bias. Objectively backwards, by a MILE.
June 15th 2011 @ 10:29pm
ac said | June 15th 2011 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
SOO is great but it sure does hurt the General compeition big times with games that are clear cut inferior.
June 15th 2011 @ 10:39pm
PaddyBoy said | June 15th 2011 @ 10:39pm | Report comment
How was Gallens speech to the ref at the first penalty, he looked like he was struggling to remember his lines there for a bit
Good game, Minichello was a rock at the back.
Harrison might be watching the next game from his living room though.
June 27th 2011 @ 1:06pm
LUKE said | June 27th 2011 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
“How was Gallens speech to the ref at the first penalty, he looked like he was struggling to remember his lines there for a bit”
It did look just a tad rehearsed…But it worked, it went back to the way it was in game 1 soon after he complained about it.
June 15th 2011 @ 10:46pm
Stu said | June 15th 2011 @ 10:46pm | Report comment
Defense is ruining SOO. First game, all tries were all from errors or barge overs. Second game. The Smith try was soft. Slater hesitated for the first blues try. Neilson rushed out of the line for the second and the third was from sloppy defense after a scrum. When can we see flowing attack? Yeah it was wet but the errors didn’t reflect that. Watching the Kiwis or Tigers in full flight is more exciting and free flowing. No one wants to watch the best players in the comp defend, a total of 26 points in the modern game is poor.
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June 15th 2011 @ 11:04pm
p.Tah said | June 15th 2011 @ 11:04pm | Report comment
Glad NSW won finally!! It amused me that both NSW and QLD opted for a penalty goal for their first real scoring attempt and there was a scrum reset.. What code were these guys playing?
June 17th 2011 @ 7:01pm
Rich said | June 17th 2011 @ 7:01pm | Report comment
Sorry Stu, you comments are good & I understand what you want free flow attack as I do but its a different level all together & much higher stakes. You make a mistake & let in a try you have to score twice to beat them, Its not park foot The pressure is different your representative career is on the line your state your mates.Its just so much more pressure.
June 15th 2011 @ 10:48pm
Stu said | June 15th 2011 @ 10:48pm | Report comment
PS. I find it hilarious that NSW is sponsored by Victoria Bitter.
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June 15th 2011 @ 11:18pm
Lavigo said | June 15th 2011 @ 11:18pm | Report comment
@Stu…..yeah, hilarious just like Queensland Government buying imported T-shirts from China to support its ‘Buy Local’ campaign……bring on Game 3, we are out to flatten the Maroons on their home soil !!!
June 15th 2011 @ 11:24pm
Scott minto said | June 15th 2011 @ 11:24pm | Report comment
How good was Gallen!!! Amazing game from him!
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June 17th 2011 @ 2:21pm
mail23 said | June 17th 2011 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
Yeah except for the 3 head high shots and the worst being the on with QLD in side the Blues 30meter line in the second half.
June 17th 2011 @ 4:41pm
Seajay said | June 17th 2011 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
Get over it mail23, if you opened both eyes you would see it happened to both teams. Is choking a player head high? what about an elbow to the head? I can go on and on.. but I wont!
Queerslanders always moan and groan whenever they lose a FAIR match.
June 15th 2011 @ 11:25pm
MickeyDR said | June 15th 2011 @ 11:25pm | Report comment
I’ve been disappointed with this seasons so far. Origin is suppose to be the pinnacle of this sport yet I feel like I’ve been watching a regular season matches. It’s not just origin but league in general, it’s just too repetitive and predictable.
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June 16th 2011 @ 12:29am
frustrated leaguey said | June 16th 2011 @ 12:29am | Report comment
I agree mickeydr,for some reason I can’t put my finger on it.Watching rugby league or soo now is not what it used to be,I’m so frustrated at watching cheap shots go unpunished or watchin defense lay all over the play the ball,the game feels like it’s at a stand still.In this day and age where league is competing for our survival this competive sporting market this I feels like it’s played by thugs,and it’s not always the best team that wins.If David Gallop does not raise the standard of how we present our product to mums and dads ,geez afl is going to have a field day and are having a field day.
June 27th 2011 @ 8:21pm
Rich said | June 27th 2011 @ 8:21pm | Report comment
Yes I agree with the attack & lack of flair statements, I think it was better when the teams couldn’t move up until the dummy half touched the ball, it just gave the attacking team that little more time & space to be creative. The modern game with its level of fitness jams things up a bit. The refs have a hard job trying to police the laying on the players.
We have dominated world RL because of our refs policing & allowing our game to flow better than the English game, because of that our players have better week to week fitness.But to be a spectacle flair must be there, so keep the play the ball area clear & another second of creative time with the ball would only be good for the game I would imagine.
June 15th 2011 @ 11:32pm
Johnno said | June 15th 2011 @ 11:32pm | Report comment
Bring back Dugan
June 15th 2011 @ 11:35pm
PaddyBoy said | June 15th 2011 @ 11:35pm | Report comment
A. He was injured, and will probably be for game 3.
B. If Minichello performing badly was what you saw, you were watching a completely different game to me.