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State of Origin Game 3 halftime score: Queensland 22 lead NSW 2

Dane Gagai has scored his third try in three matches for Queensland. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
8th July, 2015
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The 2015 State of Origin decider first-half has been dominated by a brilliant Queensland display of attacking football, leading 22-2 at the break over a stunned New South Wales.

No one needed half-time more then the Blues, with Queensland completing 17-20 sets and coming up with points with almost every attacking raid. The Maroons didn’t miss a tackle, while the Blues had missed 19.

The Maroons scored three tries and kicked two penalty goals to the Blues lone penalty, to lead by 20 points in a half dominated by the home side desperate to take the Origin crown back. Maroons kicked Johnnathan Thurston has had the ball on a string, kicking 5/5, with two shots from out wide.

New South Wales will need quick points in the second-half to get back into contention, and will need to be more disciplined across the park.

Here’s how Game 3’s first-half unfolded

Opening minutes: New South Wales was able to put early pressure on Queensland, following a Justin Hodges drop ball in a tackle, under pressure from NSW replacement hooker, Michael Ennis. The two shared a bit of niggle after the tackle but the pair were broken apart quickly.

A bomb right on Queensland’s try line on the last tackle was then controversially ruled as a knock-on by Queensland, and from the resulting set of six, Nate Myles was penalised for interfering with the play the ball.

The penalty to the Blues saw a decision to take a shot at goal, with Trent Hodkinson converting from right in front for the only points of the Blue half.

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Queensland 0 – New South Wales 2 in the fifth minute.

From the following set, the Blues were penalised for being offside, giving the Maroons a set deep in NSW territory.

A penalty against Aaron Woods for interfering with the play the ball, right in front of the posts, the reverse of the previous decision, saw Johnnathan Thurston take a penalty goal to level the scores from right in front.

Queensland 2 – New South Wales 2 in the ninth minute.

Queensland were on the attack again in the 11th minute, following a big hit on Will Hopoate who dropped the ball.

The Maroons kept the ball alive on the second tackle, pushing to the right with a big overlap for an easy try to Dane Gagai, the first try-scorer on the night.

Dane-Gagai

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Dane Gagai crosses to score during State of Origin Game III. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

The video referee was consulted for a possible knock-on, but the try was awarded without controversy.

The try was converted by Thurston from wide out, with the Maroons in the lead for the first time in the half.

Queensland 8 – New South Wales 2 in the 16th minute.

Queensland were again on the attack in the 20th minute, showing far more intensity with and without the ball, following a penalty. The Blues defence held on well with desperation scrambling to hold Queensland out and defuse a bomb.

Blues second rower Ryan Hoffman left the field in the 21st minute with a suspected calf injury.

Cooper Cronk drew a clever penalty for the Maroons, throwing the ball into Aaron Woods who was obstructing the play in an offside position after being slow to get out of a tackle.

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The Maroons went on the attack and on the last tackle, Thurston ran the ball to the left, and with an overlap, shot a short-ball to Josh Papalii saw him score a try virtually untouched – his first Origin try.

Thurston again converted just to the left of the posts.

Queensland 14 – New South Wales 2 in the 28th minute.

Blues player Beau Scott was penalised in the 31st minute for putting a late hit on Cam Smith, dropping him after the ball was kicked. The penalty was given where the ball landed, and Queensland took the shot at goal. Thurston converted to break Mal Meninga’s inter-state Origin points scoring record, putting Queensland further.

Queensland 16 – New South Wales 2 in the 33rd minute.

In a heart-stopping moment, Trent Merrin tipped Corey Parker beyond the horizontal. Parker landed awkwardly but was unhurt. Merrin was placed on report, again allowing Queensland to press deep into New South Wales territory.

The Maroons poured on the attack again to carve up the Blues on the left, with Greg Inglis too strong, scoring his 17th Origin try.

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Thurston again converted from out-wide to push the Maroons more than three converted tries in front.

Queensland 22 – New South Wales 2 in the 35th minute, with the Maroons on the attack late in the half but coming up short as the hooter sounded.

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