Live: Maroons strike first after half time to extend lead in State of Origin Game II

Queensland’s immense defence vs NSW’s hapless attack — the Blues really look lost when they’re forced to come up with something on the Maroons’ goal line. Jarome Luai looks frantic, Damien Cook isn’t a left centre, and there seems to miscommunication and misdirection (the bad kind) across the park. But it’d be wrong to not give any credit to Queensland for that. They just keep answering questions in defence, even after that huge Stephen Crichton break.

Blues’ selections — With Nicho Hynes and Matt Burton not picked, an injury to Tom Trbojevic wasn’t what NSW needed, but was also not exactly unheard of. He’s had more than a few over the years and the Blues experienced a similar thing in the 2020 decider, when James Tedesco was knocked out and they had to play Isaah Yeo in the centres. Hynes or Burton would’ve been such a blessing in that moment, but no such luck.

Daly Cherry-Evans — He came up with one of the greatest State of Origin tackles in history to track down Stephen Crichton, then immediately made the break to set up the Maroons’ second try. His kicking game has also been basically perfect. If Queensland win this, he’ll be tough to beat for player of the game.