Queensland have produced a heroic performance to stage a classic State of Origin upset, defeating New South Wales 22-12 to clinch a series win at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
After their 32-point capitulation at Perth two weeks ago, the Maroons have turned their fortunes around on home turf under new coach Billy Slater, with converted second-half tries to fullback Kalyn Ponga and hooker Ben Hunt capping a pulsating encounter in the true tradition of the rivalry.
Both teams brought trademark physicality from the start, with three players - NSW foward Cam Murray, and Queenslanders Selwyn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins - departing with concussion symptoms in the opening minutes. None returned, leaving the home side two players short for the remainder of the contest.
Queensland opened the scoring, with debutant half Tom Dearden putting centre Valentine Holmes across for a try. Jarome Luai responded for NSW, before replacement Jacob Saifiti put the visitors ahead 12-6 ahead.
The Blues threatened to take control of the game, but with halftime imminent, their rivals struck an important blow, when winger Daniel Tupou spilled a kick into touch and from the ensuing set, hooker Harry Grant placed a deft kick behind the defence for lock-turned-centre Kurt Capewell to score.
The second half erupted in the opening minute, when centres Matt Burton and Dane Gagai clashed, sparking an all-in brawl that saw the two instigators banished for 10 minutes.
Midway through the half, Hunt inspired his side ahead with a 40-20 kick that put them hot on attack. While their initial attempt was thwarted, centre Stephen Crichton threw a rash offload that went loose, forcing a goal-line dropout.
Dearden went close to scoring and when the ball shifted right, captain Daly Cherry-Evans put Ponga through a gap for the go-ahead try.
As New South Wales desperately tried to resurrect their series hopes with time running out, Hunt produced another flash of brilliance, charging down Nathan Cleary's attempted kick and regathering in one motion, before racing 60 metres to clinch victory.
Huge underdogs before the series decider, Queensland had again converted their homefield advantage and 37-20 record at spiritual home of Origin to snatch another unlikely triumph over their bemused rivals.
Queensland 22 (Holmes, Ponga, Hunt & Capewell tries, Holmes 3 conversions) NSW 12 (Luai & Saifiti tries, Cleary 2 conversions)
