Queensland had an overlap on the right and quick hands fed Dane Gagai who dived over.
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Queensland can seal the 2016 series at Suncorp in Brisbane on 22 June, with the return to ANZ Stadium on 13 July.
Gagai, who has endured an emotional month after the death of his grandmother and allegations he was racially abused by spectators during Newcastle’s recent thrashing from Cronulla, made his Origin debut in last year’s decider and was one of eight Maroons tryscorers in a record 52-6 slaughter.
Reynolds kicked 18 times for 640 metres, while Maloney laid on NSW’s only try of the match and was a constant threat to the Queensland defence.
“You have to keep hanging in there until the end”.
“We were outstanding – the boys really dug in deep”, Smith said on the Nine Network after he became Origin’s most-capped player in his 37th match. “I don’t think anyone is going to catch him”, he laughed.
This is the arena for greatness to shine, so the question is, will the ageing champions Queensland still have the desire to continue to dominate on it, or will the young and hungry Blues be able to harness their minds and help restore pride in the blue jersey?
It proved a bridge too far for the Maroons and as James Maloney drifted across field a gap opened up for his former Sydney Roosters teammate Boyd Cordner to crash through and score his first Origin try in the 26th minute.
New Blues halfback Adam Reynolds said he was looking forward to forging an onfield partnership with Moylan.
There was also an incident with just over 15 minutes to play – with just two points separating the sides – when the Maroons appeared to knock-on near their own try line which would have given New South Wales a ideal platform from which to attack.
Queensland have just two newcomers – centre Justin O’Neill and wing Corey Oates – leading to question marks over their age.
“It’s a bit weird because he’s been at the forefront for them (Queensland) for so long”.
But a penalty from Johnathan Thurston and try from Dane Gagai, both before half-time, were enough to give Queensland the win on Wednesday night as New South Wales could only muster a solitary try by Boyd Cordner.
Blues’ Josh Morris crossed, only for the try to be ruled out as neither side scored points after half-time.
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Coach Kevin Walters will trust Cronk with the final call on his fitness – not doctors – as the influential No. 7 battles an ankle injury suffered at training on Friday.
