'Soft' Queensland hammered as Blues' first half blitz sets up series squaring victory
Suncorp Stadium will host a decider for Origin III after NSW pulled off a sensational first half blitz to leave the Maroons shocked.
Coming into game two at a 1-0 deficit, the Blues led 34-0 at half-time with Zac Lomax and Brian To'o scoring doubles.
Queensland managed to get themselves on the board in the second half but it wasn't enough as NSW won 38-18.
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"We witnessed men against boys," former Blues coach Phil Gould said of the Maroons at half-time on Nine.
Zac Lomax is congratulated by Stephen Crichton. Getty
"This was over very early. I got the feeling right from the time Stephen Crichton first touched the ball and ran over his opponent steaming down the right hand side that physically NSW were superior here tonight."
Maroons great Darren Lockyer said he was "in shock".
"Full credit to NSW, they were on the front foot the whole first 40," he said.
Gould went on to describe the Maroons as "soft".
"We have seen this before though, and I think I said it in the lead up to this game that Queensland when they're 1-0 in the series and they know they've got Queensland up their sleeve in game three, can be soft in game two," he said.
"I think they (Queensland) came here with a soft mentality."
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First try went to Blues second-rower Liam Martin in the 10th minute, before the points piled on with To'o, Lomax and Latrell Mitchell all going over.
State of Origin II in pictures: Jonathon Thurston stunned by Blues' blitz
State of Origin II in pictures: Jonathon Thurston stunned by Blues' blitz
The second half started in fiery circumstances when Patrick Carrigan and Liam Martin were sin binned for their roles in a fiery 50th minute melee.
Queensland made the most of those 10 minutes, with Jeremiah Nanai and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scoring.
Dylan Edwards hit back for the Blues when it was back to 13 on 13.
Maroons winger Murray Taulagi scored the final try in the 67th minute to provide Queensland with some momentum heading into game three.
Liam Martin will find himself sweating on the match review committee's report after he was put on report twice. His initial offence was in the first half for a dangerous tackle while he was penalised for pressure on the kicker late in the second stanza.
Mitchell was also put on report for a high shot in the 42nd minute.
The Maroons also have an injury concern after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow left the field in the first half with a shoulder injury. He did return in the second half though.
