The New South Wales Blues have a two-point buffer at half-time of Origin 2, leading the Queensland Maroons 12-10 at the break.
The match started with wave upon wave of Queensland attack, the Maroons clearly relishing having Billy Slater back in their side. The fullback was involved in the first clear chance of the game, setting up a slick backline move which ended with Dane Gagai crossing in the corner.
However, the winger was ruled to have been tackled into touch by Josh Addo-Carr before planting the ball down after the decision was sent to the Bunker.
More Origin 2:
» TIM GORE: Baby Blues end the Maroon dynasty
» The Liebke ratings
» Nine talking points
» Match report: Blues take the series
» WATCH: Video highlights
» Re-live the match with our live blog
But that only postponed the inevitable, the Maroons eventually opening the scoring on the opposite wing when some poor defence from James Roberts and Tom Trbojevic allowed Valentine Holmes to stroll over in the corner.
Gagai too got his try not long after, skipping past a diving Addo-Carr, narrowly avoiding the touchline the cross for the second four-pointer of the match. After missing his first attempt at goal, Holmes made no mistake with his second sideline conversion.
Down ten-nil, the Blues finally started to get some ball in good attacking positions and they dragged the score back to a one-try game when Addo-Carr fought his way over on the last tackle. With James Maloney kicking truly, the margin was back to four points.
New South Wales were then the beneficiaries of another Bunker decision. A deft kick from James Maloney had Boyd Cordner primed to collect it in the open backfield and cross for a try, but the Blues skipper was knocked down by Ben Hunt.
The contact might have been minimal, but Hunt clearly changed his line, and the Bunker had no choice but to award a penalty try, which Maloney duly converted to give his side a two-point lead.
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