Queensland winger Xavier Coates has scored the first try of Game 2 of the 2020 State of Origin series.
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The Maroons wide man got on the end of a superb flat pass from Daly Cherry-Evans on the last tackle but still had plenty of work to do, but the young winger acrobatically elevated himself high into the air to avoid the attention of the James Tedesco tackle and somehow planted the ball millimetres inside the right touchline.
It was a deserved reward for Queensland, who continued their strong momentum from the second half of Game 1 with some excellent field position early in Game 2, even though Cameron Munster was forced from the field to undergo an HIA and the Blues started the match with some much-improved physicality compared to what they showed in the series opener.
While Coates’ finish was a spectacular one, the wide location made for a difficult first kick for Valentine Holmes, and the fullback was unable to convert the try, leaving the early Queensland lead at 6-0.