Stunning Origin loss for Blues

NSW started the game in strong fashion and looked to be totally in control before Queensland staged another miracle comeback.

A pair of try-savers in the dying moments of the half typified the Blues’ all-round dominance.

The game went down to the final minutes before the Maroons leveled the scores when Dane Gagai scored in the corner.

NSW had appeared all over Queensland for most of the contest, but in the blink of an eye, the Maroons pounced to snatch a memorable win.

Fighting for his coaching career as Queensland try to avoid only a second series defeat in 12 years, Walters snapped when asked directly if the Maroons planned to wrestle more on Wednesday night.

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“I would say (they will target our forwards), it’d be silly for them not to given the way they played, but if they want to just go and focus on those guys, we’ve got a lot of other guys in our team that can do damage as well”.

“I never, ever gave up hope”, Slater said of an Origin recall.

“I think he’ll be there”, Gould said.

“I am a bit disappointed with Laurie and the NSW players with all that – I don’t think it is in the right spirit of the game to try and use the referees to influence the game”, he said.

NSW were down for the first time in the series.

“And unfortunately for JT, we’ll find out in the next few days what happens with it, but I can’t see him playing Game 3”.

Queensland maestro Johnathan Thurston has given a positive assessment of his injured shoulder despite fears he may not regain fitness for next month’s State of Origin decider.

“If he’s buggered, the defenders either side are so nervous, then you manipulate the holes inside and outside him”.

In addition to Thurston, Queensland welcomed back Billy Slater at full-back on Wednesday, meaning Darius Boyd switched to centre. “But all they can do is get ready as best they can and get ready for the onslaught”, Walters said.

Queensland’s remarkable State of Origin win over NSW last night wasn’t too bad considering they were only playing with 16 players.

NSW are expecting the new-look Queensland forward pack to come out firing after being dominated through the middle in the opening encounter — particularly by the Australian global.

Queensland’s abominable 18-16 victory in Game 2 has set them cruising like a freed chubby magnate towards the grossest of series victories in Brisbane.

The try went to the bunker with replays showing Holmes perilously close to the touchline as he got airborne to score.

“Queensland took their opportunities but at the end of the day we beat ourselves and that’s the disappointing thing”, said Sydney Roosters’ Cordner. For the first time since 1987, the Blues have failed to wrap up the series at home after winning the series opener in Brisbane.

The Cowboys champion said immediately after the game in Sydney he had not suffered structural damage, rather a cork which had resulted in swelling.