Queensland have produced a dominant performance in State of Origin 2 to defeat NSW 26-6 at Suncorp Stadium, squaring the series at one-all.
After a subdued performance in Sydney, Queensland were expected to fire in front of 51,690 spectators at Suncorp Stadium and it didn’t take long for that to be confirmed.
Within the opening minute Blues five-eighth James Maloney was penalised for a strip and from the ensuing set of six Sam Thaiday charged through a number of NSW tackles to cross for the third Origin try of his career.
Jonathan Thurston successively kicked the conversion.
It was a frenzied, all-attacking start from Queensland and when a ragged NSW defence was penalised for offside, Thurston added another two points to make it 8-0.
Check out how it unfolded: 2013 State of Origin Game 2 – Queensland 26-6 NSW
Queensland had the visitors on the back foot again after Michael Jennings was penalised for a late hit on Thurston in the 14th minute and when the Maroons forced a line-dropout, Thurston again attacked the right edge of the NSW defence, targeting the wing of Nathan Merritt.
Thurston threw a deft dummy in the direction of Greg Inglis, drew in Merritt and passed a cut-out ball for Darius Boyd to run onto and dive over in the corner. Thurston made no mistake with the conversion and Queensland led 14-0 after 18 minutes.
Queensland’s Darius Boyd celebrates scoring a try during Game II of the 2013 State of Origin (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
NSW steadied as half-time approached and had several half-chances at the Queensland defence, but the halves combination of James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce couldn’t find the final pass and the Blues went into the break 14-0 down.
Any prospect of Queensland easing off in the second half soon evaporated, and NSW were forced into several repeat sets of defence.
In the 47th minute another brilliant Thurston cut-out pass put Darius Boyd over in the corner for his second try of the night, and it was 18-0 after Thurston made his first blemish of the night, hitting the upright with the conversion.
Tempers threatened to erupt in the 51st minute when Billy Slater appeared to throw an elbow at Mitchell Pearce after Pearce had swung an arm into a tackle on Slater, with players rushing in from both sides before the referee intervened, penalising Queensland.
From the penalty NSW spread the ball toward the wing of Merritt, but the debutant was unable to finish off a move to the right and the ball sailed harmlessly into touch.
On Queensland’s next set of six the fighting that NRL CEO Dave Smith had vowed to eradicate began, when Trent Merrin collected Brent Tate with a punch to the side of the face that sparked an all-in brawl.
For their part Merrin and Tate, as well as Greg Bird and Justin Hodges, were sin-binned for an incident that is certain to come under scrutiny after the scenes witnessed in Sydney.
Queensland’s Brent Tate is sent off after a brawl during 2013 State of Origin Game 2
Inglis took advantage of the open space in the 55th minute when he flew to catch a Coooper Cronk kick and dove in low to score.
Thurston added the conversion and the Maroons held a 24-0 lead with 25 minutes still to play.
NSW added a consolation try in the 70th minute when Brett Morris got on the end of a Robbie Farah chip to score in the corner, with James Maloney kicking the conversion from the sideline to leave NSW 24-6 down with 10 minutes remaining.
With the clock running down inside the final two minutes, Queensland were awarded a penalty that Thurston converted to seal a 20-point win.
The night began on a different note, with Channel Nine’s traditional pre-match coverage interrupted by the Gillard/Rudd leadership spill, with news of the Queenslander’s victory filtering through prior to kick-off.
It would be an ominous sign for the night ahead.
GAME 2 GALLERY
[roar_cat_gal]
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It would be surprising indeed if Daley changes his halves combination for game three. I'm not sure if this is true or not but it seemed like when Reynolds was on, he probed the line more than Pearce or Maloney during the whole match. My impression was that things are changing. The fact that Daley took Reynolds off despite his 'impact' suggests to me that Daley won't change.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Not sure about the service from dummy-half but agree completely with everything else. He was always looking to create something which is what a good 5/8 or half should be doing. The guy backs himself and it showed. Still, it was a mistake to take off Robbie Farah, Either one of the halves should have been taken off instead and Reynolds left there to see what he could come up with. The fame was good as gone by then and I don't think Daley would have lost anything by allowing such a real-time experiment.
Radelaide
Guest
Thanx, my money was on JT
Chui
Guest
Smith hey. So he wasn't that guy doing interviews during the week about NSW being offside in the first game and the markers not being square. You guys need to stop looking through keyholes with both eyes.
Ben
Guest
Why did we pick Merritt. Because he whinged that he never got picked and for good reason. Was always going to get mauled by inglis and Boyd. Pick uate for the next game. Offers a lot more in attack and has physical presence as well as playing with Boyd at the knights. Hayne in for Dugan also. Never in support when we did break through. Also thought Merrin and woods had next to no impact but would be willing to give them another chance in sydney. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
WQ
Guest
Totally agree, if they had just admitted that they got the Gallen issue wrong after the first game, none of this rubbish would have happened. Now the players think well if I do punch I am gone for 10, if I don't punch then I am gone for 10 so I might as well swing away. Either way they get 10 I still can't believe that the NRL has got themselves into this position, it is just short sighted incompetence!
turbodewd
Guest
Ferguson to Merritt was a downgrade. Idris and/or Albert Kelly needs a bench spot. the Blues lack offensive potency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Razza
Guest
I didn't think the Blues would beat the Maroons on their home pitch, but I didn't expect a slaughter and that is what it was, if there were 13 Luke Lewis's on the paddock for the Blues then they would have won the series, what a player, he never gave up and his work load was tops, but dream on I will. The Maroons showed the Rugby League world what a desperate team needed to do to keep the series alive and they did it with style and taking no prisoner's in the slaughter and silly mistakes from the Blues helped them to achieve the win, how many times is a winger going to play out of position that let two Maroon tries in, no name mentioned but he should be dropped for game three. The Blues didn't go north to win, they went to draw the series to save a dead rubber in game three knowing that they may have the crowd advantage to win and take the series, well that is what it looked like to me not taking anything away from the Maroons and the sin binning, WELL DONE REF, the warning was put out and you kept your promise, now keep going with it, if they want to fight follow Mundine and take up boxing. Tate started it by pushing and Merrin should have been sent off for punching instead of sin binned and I thought all sin binnings were correct for aggression shown by all four. "GO THE BLUES"
lupsco
Guest
I'd prefer NSW have to chance their halfs. Coach Laurie Daley needs to bring in Todd carney in because he will be the man to make the difference in this final decider. Jarad hyne can switch to wing to replace merrit while dugan mantain the full back position.
Zorro
Guest
We need a forward who can bend the line GRANT! As soon as Fifita came on, it slowed down the QLD onslaught, ...because he can bend the line, can't do it on his own though.... Hayne was missed, he adds that x factor and lifts the players around him, thought Dugan did ok, in a well beaten team, I'd dump Reynolds and bring in Idris as a strike weapon, we need size and impact, utility not needed in game one or 2, in case of injury, Lewis can play anywhere..... Grant in for Woods, Hayne back at fullback....shift Dugan to the wing,
Hoy
Roar Guru
I didn't say he was ineffective, I said he should be more effective for his size. Rabs was waxing lycrical about him, even when he was getting driven backwards. IF a bloke that size actually hit you in a tackle, you would stay hit, but he is a hugger, and then when the player is on the ground, he flops down heavy on them. I have seen him do it several times, and attempt it several others. He would be fearsome if he actually drove someone in defense, but he doesn't. That is what I was getting at. As for Gal, what do you want me to say? That complaining about refereeing ad naseum after every loss is a good look for a captain... every time. That complaining he was suspended for 1 week for striking is a good thing for a state captain?
Griffo
Guest
On integrity then Lewis, Morris, Hoffman. If i wanted a utility i'd pick Farah. He won't replace Smith as Hooker but if anyone goes down in 6,7 or 9 his kicking is tops and could add an extra dimension in attack with the other guys
Griffo
Guest
And New South Wales had the majority of possesion and calls after that and did nothing with it
The Bedouin
Guest
yeah, bye bye gallen, as captain anyway. when he went off during the first half, i honestly thought loz was giving him a spell to let him get his head sorted out. i honestly thing he does send out bad vibes to the team with his constant moaning to the refs. i'm a QLDER thru and thru and i don't mind if you keep him as captain. i'm just giving my 2 cents worth
The Bedouin
Guest
i'm glad you wrote this about reynolds. i thought he was really impressive with his little cameo performance. i though NSW really went on the attack when he came on. very good service from dummy half, backed up well and injected some enthusiasm.
Slim
Guest
Qld run a Kempsie freight train called Inglis on Merritt's side, what a miss match. Boyd scores untouched cause Merritt runs inside all the time. THE most inept defensive performance by Nathan Merritt. Got his blues jersey, now go away. A non-existant kicking game by Pearce. he has run his race. Thurston Owned Maloney too.
The High Shot
Roar Pro
As a Qld fan I would like to recommend Mitchell Pearce as an automatic NSW selection for as long as he can walk, thanks.
Raugeee
Guest
Congrats NSW - please go on a relentless replacement spiral.
Raugeee
Guest
Go Ruddy! Go ALP!
Raugeee
Guest
Exactly - in fact I thought Archer was supposed to be reffing this game. Klein never to ref SOO again!!!!!!