Queensland Survives a Blues Surge to Level State of Origin Series at 1-1

Queensland players celebrate after holding on to win a State of Origin thriller. Picture: Dan Himbrechts.

The NSW Blues have been denied their greatest comeback in State of Origin history by the slimmest of margins, falling short 26-24 as the Queensland Maroons set up a Game 3 decider.

The Blues scored five tries to Queensland’s four but poor goal-kicking came back to cost NSW with Zac Lomax converting just two of his five attempts.

Valentine Holmes, meanwhile, was a perfect four from four to go with a penalty goal, marking the first time since 2001 that the Maroons had scored fewer tries than the Blues and won.

It was a wet and fiery opening half to the game, and a sloppy one too from the Blues as Jarome Luai sent the first kick of the night out on the full.

Luai's kick was a sign of things to come for the Blues in the first half, as they trailed 26-6 at the break.

Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton each scored two second half tries as the Blues stormed home with a wet sail, but they fell short after only one of those tries resulted in a conversation.

Elsewhere, it was vindication for Queensland coach Billy Slater, who came under significant scrutiny for the make-up of his forward pack but starting second rowers Reuben Cotter and Kurt Capewell were tireless in the middle of the field.