Queensland has thumped NSW 32-6 to retain State of Origin bragging rights and seal a 2-0 series win in Brisbane.
The Blues lost centre Tom Trbojevic to injury in the third minute but had ample opportunity to build an early lead in front of 52,433 fans at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.
But the Maroons’ defence held strong until their clinical offence hit top gear, coach Billy Slater’s men eyeing the first Origin clean sweep since 2010 in Sydney’s dead rubber.
The Blues enjoyed 64 per cent of territory but paid the price for a lack of polish as the Maroons ran in six tries to one.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans produced the match-turning moment, chasing down a flying Stephen Crichton then making a break of his own that led to the Maroons’ second try.
Valentine Holmes scored twice to bring his Origin tally to 13 – good enough for third on the all-time Origin list – fullback Reece Walsh was an ever-present danger and prop Lindsay Collins produced another barnstormer to claim man of the match.
There was drama late though with Walsh and Jarome Luai sent off for head-butting each other and Josh Addo-Carr sin-binned for a swinging arm on the Maroons fullback.
The Blues’ script was flicked after just three minutes when centre Trbojevic left the game with a pectoral injury.
Versatile backrower Cameron Murray was left on the bench and hooker Damien Cook instead deployed in the unfamiliar position.
The South Sydney rake, used on the left with Stephen Crichton shifted on the right, was heavily involved but often for all the wrong reasons.
Twice play broke down on his edge despite the Blues having numbers, while Jeremiah Nanai stepped Cook for an early line break.
Both of Holmes’ tries came in his corner, the first a grounded high ball he got his fingertips on and the second a diving effort after calming collecting a half-volley.
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Winger Murray Taulagi then repeated his game-one defensive heroics, this time holding up Crichton over the line.
He then chipped inside after Harry Grant ran it on the last tackle, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow running onto the fortunate bounce for his fourth try in three Origin starts.
Finally the Blues found a reply, Cook busting the Queensland defence in broken play.
But it was a fleeting moment of respite, as Walsh again tormented Cook’s right edge to put Xavier Coates over for another try before Nanai drove the final nail into the coffin.
Payne Haas was immense in a beaten side while Mitch Moses looked dangerous early as he attempted to fill the injured Nathan Cleary’s shoes as Blues halfback, but had little influence beyond that.
-AAP
