Queensland have made a powerful statement in the State of Origin series, forcing a decisive Game III after an emphatic 20-point victory over New South Wales in Melbourne. The Maroons, trailing by four points at halftime in front of a record crowd of 91,671 at the MCG, exploded in the second half with six tries to win 44-24 on Wednesday night.
Cobbo Shines as Maroons Run Riot
Dolphins winger Selwyn Cobbo was the standout performer for Queensland, crossing for two tries and setting up another. His electrifying runs and finishing ability proved too much for the Blues' defense. For New South Wales, Mark Nawaqanitawase was the most dangerous player, scoring two of his state's four tries.
Second-Highest Scoring Game in Origin History
The match was the second highest-scoring in Origin history, trailing only the Blues' 56-16 demolition of the Maroons in Game III of 2000. The high-octane contest kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
Series Leveled at One-All
With the series locked at 1-1, all eyes now turn to the decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. "The series is locked at one-all — bring on Suncorp," commentator Mat Thompson declared at fulltime. NSW will attempt to win a series decider in Queensland for just the fourth time in Origin history.
More to come as the countdown to the decider begins.
