Twenty minutes into State of Origin II, New South Wales looked to be cruising towards the shield.
The Blues had raced to a 12-2 lead, Mark Nawaqanitawase had already crossed on debut and Queensland had been forced to send both Cameron Munster and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for head injury assessments during a chaotic opening half-hour.
Much of the pre-match discussion centred on whether Queensland could turn its strong periods in Game One into an 80-minute performance.
Click to read the MATCH PREVIEW
The answer arrived emphatically at the MCG, in one of the Maroons’ most impressive performances in recent years.
Queensland recovered from the early setback, wrestled momentum back through the middle of the field and then dominated the second half to defeat New South Wales 44-24 at the MCG on Wednesday night, levelling the series at 1-1 and setting up a winner-takes-all decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Played before a record State of Origin crowd of 91,671, the contest swung dramatically after the Blues’ bright start as Queensland gradually gained control through its forward pack before its outside backs took over the game.
NSW Lands The First Punch
NSW capitalised immediately after Sam Walker opened the scoring with a penalty goal when Thomas Flegler spilled the ensuing kick-off. Nawaqanitawase reacted quickest to the loose ball and put Kotoni Staggs over for the opening try before the debutant winger scored one himself soon after as the Blues surged to a 12-2 advantage.
At that stage Queensland looked vulnerable.
The Maroons were struggling to generate field position and matters became more difficult when both Munster and Fa’asuamaleaui were temporarily forced from the field for HIAs.
Hamiso Ignites The Fightback
Rather than allowing the game to slip away, Queensland found a way back through the speed and creativity of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The Dolphins star split the Blues defence with a damaging run that shifted momentum and led to Queensland’s first try. Harry Grant, Munster, Sam Walker and Max Plath all handled before Trent Loiero crashed over, reducing the margin to four points and ensuring the Maroons entered halftime with genuine belief despite trailing 12-8.
Just as importantly, Fa’asuamaleaui returned and helped Queensland regain control of the middle. The Maroons had spent much of the opening half reacting to NSW. By halftime they were the team asking the questions.
Walker, Munster And Cobbo Turn The Tide
The opening exchanges of the second half quickly confirmed that the game had changed.
Queensland’s forwards began winning the yardage battle, Grant started to find space around the ruck and the Blues struggled to contain the Maroons’ kicking game. The first blow came when Robert Toia outleapt James Tedesco to collect a Walker bomb before Max Plath and Munster combined to create space for Selwyn Cobbo, who finished in the corner to give Queensland its first lead of the night.
From there, Queensland’s confidence grew with every set.
Cobbo crossed for his second seven minutes later and the Blues suddenly found themselves chasing a game they had controlled for much of the first half. Munster and Walker continued to probe, while Harry Grant’s running game kept creating problems around the middle of the field.
Queensland Find The Weak Spot
Queensland’s coaching staff clearly saw an opportunity on the edges and they kept going back to it.
The Maroons repeatedly challenged NSW through the air and won more often than they lost. Jojo Fifita came down with one attacking kick to score, while Queensland continued to create opportunities whenever the ball was shifted wide.
Nawaqanitawase briefly gave the Blues hope with his second try on debut, but Queensland’s response was immediate. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow crossed after another dangerous attacking raid before Staggs was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Kalyn Ponga as NSW’s night unravelled.
By that stage the Maroons had complete control of the contest.
Harry Grant sliced through the middle to help create a try for Lindsay Collins, while Cobbo completed a deserved hat-trick as Queensland turned a close contest into a convincing victory.
Suncorp Gets Its Decider
While Cobbo’s three tries and Tabuai-Fidow’s influence will attract plenty of attention, Queensland’s win was built on far more than individual brilliance.
Fa’asuamaleaui’s return from his HIA proved crucial. Grant controlled the ruck, Collins made a major second-half impact, while Loiero and Plath both made important contributions.
A fortnight ago the Maroons were left wondering what might have been after surrendering a winning position in Sydney.
Now the series is heading back to Brisbane.
The Blues arrived in Melbourne believing they were one win away from reclaiming the shield. Instead, Queensland heads home with momentum, confidence and the chance to decide the series in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium.
Published 17-June-2022
MATCH PREVIEW
Maroons Out to Keep Series Alive as Origin Heads to the MCG
Queensland arrives in Melbourne with a point to prove.
The Maroons were the better side for long stretches of State of Origin I in Sydney, racing to a 20-6 halftime lead and threatening to blow the Blues off the park before the contest turned dramatically following Kalyn Ponga’s second-half send-off. New South Wales ultimately capitalised on the numerical advantage to claim a comeback victory and move within one win of reclaiming the Origin shield.
Now, with a massive crowd expected at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night, Billy Slater’s side has the opportunity to reset the narrative and force the series into a decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Why Queensland Should Be Confident
For Queensland supporters, there is plenty of reason for confidence.
While the Blues enter as favourites in many predictions, the Maroons can point to the opening 50 minutes of Game I as evidence that their game plan works. Cameron Munster controlled proceedings, Harry Grant constantly threatened around the ruck, and Queensland’s speed on the edges repeatedly exposed New South Wales’ defence.
The challenge this time is maintaining that standard for the full 80 minutes.
Walsh Returns As Maroons Reshuffle
Queensland’s line-up features several notable changes. Reece Walsh returns to the squad after missing the series opener and has been named on the bench as a potential game-breaker. Whether he enters as an impact player late in the contest or is required earlier, his speed and unpredictability could prove crucial on the expansive MCG surface.
The Maroons have also welcomed back Thomas Flegler, while Dolphins utility Max Plath retains his place in the 17 after impressing with his versatility and work ethic.
One of Queensland’s biggest losses is Patrick Carrigan, whose absence removes a proven Origin performer from the middle rotation. However, Slater has reshaped the pack around Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins and Kurt Capewell, a group that will be tasked with matching a powerful New South Wales forward unit.
Haas And Moses Boost Blues
The Blues receive a major boost through the return of Payne Haas. The Brisbane Broncos prop is widely regarded as one of the game’s premier front-rowers and his inclusion adds significant punch to New South Wales’ engine room.
New South Wales has also recalled Mitchell Moses at five-eighth after he was cleared to return from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the series opener. Moses brings an elite kicking game and running threat, but Origin football is a demanding environment for any player returning from a lay-off.
Queensland will undoubtedly test him defensively whenever opportunities arise.
The Blues have also been forced into a late backline reshuffle, with Mark Nawaqanitawase coming onto the wing after Casey McLean was ruled out. Tolutau Koula shifts into the centres alongside Kotoni Staggs as Laurie Daley looks to secure the series in Melbourne.
The Key Battle
The battle between the halves could ultimately decide the contest.
Nathan Cleary and Moses offer New South Wales one of the most accomplished playmaking combinations in the game, but Munster has built his reputation on delivering in Origin’s biggest moments. Alongside Sam Walker, he will be expected to guide Queensland around the park and create opportunities for strike weapons such as Ponga, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo.
Queensland’s Familiar Underdog Mindset
The Maroons also have a psychological edge that statistics cannot measure.
Queensland has built its Origin legacy on responding when backed into a corner, and there is no shortage of motivation after the manner of the Game I defeat. Many Queensland supporters will feel the opening match turned on a handful of key moments after the Maroons had built a commanding first-half lead.
That belief could become a powerful weapon in Melbourne.
Most experts have tipped New South Wales to wrap up the series, but the predictions are far from unanimous. Several former players and commentators expect Queensland’s desperation, combined with the return of key personnel, to be enough to level the series.
If the Maroons can reproduce the intensity, discipline and attacking fluency they showed before Ponga’s dismissal in Sydney, a trip to Brisbane for a winner-takes-all decider may well await.
And if that happens, the pressure will shift squarely back onto the Blues.
Match Details
State of Origin II
Wednesday, June 17
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Kick-off: 8:05pm AEST
New South Wales Blues
Backs: James Tedesco, Brian To’o, Tolutau Koula, Kotoni Staggs, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Halves: Mitchell Moses, Nathan Cleary
Forwards: Payne Haas, Reece Robson, Mitchell Barnett, Hudson Young, Dylan Lucas, Isaah Yeo
Interchange: Cameron Murray, Victor Radley, Addin Fonua-Blake, Apisai Koroisau
Extended Squad: Ethan Strange, Jack Bostock, Haumole Olakau’atu
Coach: Laurie Daley
Queensland Maroons
Backs: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita
Halves: Cameron Munster, Sam Walker
Forwards: Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Briton Nikora, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter
Interchange: Max Plath, Lindsay Collins, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Trent Loiero
Extended Squad: Reece Walsh, Murray Taulagi, Heilum Luki
Coach: Billy Slater
Match Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judges: Phil Henderson, Matt Noyen
Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction
Queensland by 4. The Maroons showed in the opening game that they can trouble the Blues when their forwards win the middle and Munster is given time and space. If they maintain their discipline and keep all 13 men on the field, a Suncorp Stadium decider looks well within reach.
Published 17-June-2026
