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WATCH: Gagai scores a hat-trick to seal the series for Queensland

Dane Gagai scores in State of Origin Game 1 for Queensland. (Photo: AAP)
Roar Guru
22nd June, 2016
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Having spent the lead-up under an injury cloud, Dane Gagai proved Queenslanders had nothing to fear, crossing for the first Queensland hat-trick in over a decade.

Gagai’s second was another try that the Blues will kick themselves over. While not as dramatic and heart-breaking as Gagai’s first – where he ran a good 70 metres to touchdown against the run of play – it was the result of the Blues giving away possession in their own set.

And with the ball in quality territory, the Maroons took full advantage, spreading it wide. Darius Boyd gave a fantastic basketball pass, which Gagai took one-handed himself and dived over in the corner.

The Maroon No.5’s third try came from a pin-point kick from Johnathan Thurston, which Gagai pounced on for his third in the corner.

It was the first Maroon hat-trick since Matt Sing in 20003, and made Gagai just the fourth Queenslander in history to dot down for three in a single Origin game.

The Newcastle Knight has now scored five tries in three matches at Origin level – freakish stuff.

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