Queensland (16) 34
Tries: Inglis, Folau 2, Boyd, Tonga, Cronk
Goals: Thurston 5
New South Wales (0) 6
Try: White
Goal: Gidley  Israel Folau celebrates his first try at the Suncorp
Queensland secured their fifth consecutive State of Origin series with a comprehensive victory over New South Wales in a feisty game two in Brisbane. The hosts scored six tries against a beleaguered Blues side as they ran riot at the Suncorp Stadium. Queensland never looked back after Greg Inglis crossed in the corner on three minutes, and Israel Folau and Darius Boyd also scored before the break. Willie Tonga, Folau and Cooper Cronk completed the rout in the second half. The result capped a miserable week for New South Wales, who went into the game under a cloud of controversy with a player walk-out and allegations of racism.  | 606: DEBATE |
Wing Tamana Tahu left the squad amid claims of racist comments made by assistant coach Andrew Johns about Inglis. New South Wales needed a win to stay in the series but their hopes of keeping Origin alive for the third game in Sydney were left in tatters as the Maroons produced a dominant display in Brisbane. The hosts made the perfect start, Inglis crossing to finish a move that swept from one side of the field to the other. New South Wales struggled all game with their defence out wide and Queensland scored their second try just nine minutes later when Folau found plenty of space in which to score on the right wing. The visitors did enjoy a spell of pressure in the middle of the half but Queensland's well-organised defence prevented the Blues from breaking through their line. With the State of Origin series being regarded as some of the most intense fixtures in the sport, a big hit is never too far away but the game descended into a multi-player brawl in the 26th minute. Queensland's players took exception to New South Wales replacement Luke O'Donnell after he dumped Boyd on his head with a dangerous throw.  O'Donnell's (left) tackle sparked a major melee in Brisbane |
Most of the players on the pitch got involved as punches were thrown and after the melee died down, O'Donnell was placed on report for the tackle. The incident seemed to have little effect on Boyd, who scored Queensland's third try on 35 minutes after Inglis fired the ball out to him on the left wing. New South Wales desperately needed a good start to the second half but Queensland all but ended hopes of a miraculous comeback with a try just three minutes after the re-start. Billy Slater tapped back a high Darren Lockyer cross kick underneath the posts and with the New South Wales defence slow to react, Tonga ran past two opposition players from deep to pounce on the loose ball. A fifth try was scored five minutes later, Lockyer firing a pass through a gap in a floundering New South Wales defence for Folau to score his second. New South Wales had no answer to Queensland's power and clinical play and replacement Cronk drove through two weak tackles with 20 minutes to go for the sixth try The visitors were denied a try for offside in the closing stages but they did get a consolation with just a minute left on the clock when Brett White went over. The series returns to Sydney for the third game on 7 July.
Queensland: Slater, Boyd, Inglis, Tonga, Folau, Lockyer, Thurston, Scott, Smith, Shillington, Myles, Thaiday, Harrison.
Replacements: Cronk, Hannant, Costigan, Taylor. New South Wales: Hayne, Morris, Cooper, Scott, Monaghan, Barrett, Pearce, Weyman, Ennis, White, Creagh, Hindmarsh, Gallen.
Replacements: Waterhouse, Gidley, Learoyd-Lahrs, O'Donnell. Referee: Tony Archer (Australia)
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