State of Origin: Queensland seals another series against NSW thanks to Dane Gagai hat-trick

Updated

Queensland has come out on top of a tense State of Origin battle, sealing the 2016 series with a 26-16 win over New South Wales in game two at Lang Park.

Dane Gagai was the hero for the Maroons, scoring a hat-trick of tries to help the Maroons to their 10th win in 11 years.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: State of Origin game 2 highlights (ABC News)

Another youngster, Corey Oates, got Queensland's fourth try which eventually sealed victory, while touch-downs from Tyson Frizell and James Maloney were not enough for the Blues.

Aside from a period early in the game when NSW matched the Queenslanders for intensity, it was Maroons who had their noses in front both on the scoreboard and in terms of momentum.

The 25-year-old Gagai confirmed his status as a rising star for the Maroons, shrugging of injury concerns in the build-up. The flashy winger now has five tries in his three Origin appearances.

"I don't think I've even scored a hat-trick in club footy, but to be part of such a quality team, they make my job so much easier, and I'm just so grateful to be part of such an elite team," he said.

The win, in front of 52,293 fans, gives Kevin Walters' side an unassailable 2-0 series lead, following its dour 6-4 victory in Sydney.

Blues come out fighting

The first quarter of the game was a typical Origin pitched battle, with each side accumulating four points through a pair of penalty goals. It was the Blues who got up into the faces of their opponents, showing more urgency than Origin I.

A lift on the legs of Paul Gallen by Sam Thaiday resulted in the NSW captain being dumped on his head, the Queenslander going on report and two points for the Blues.

Aaron Woods and Frizell were among the best metre-gainers with charging runs forward, but their good work was undone in the 31st minute, with the Maroons providing the first piece of magic.

Against the run of play, it was Queensland which produced a scintillating first try, with Gagai snatching a loose Jennings offload and just about outlasting a rapid Tyson Frizell over 90 metres to slide over in the corner.

Young gun Oates gave the Maroons some go-forward with his galloping runs down the left edge, while the introduction of Josh Papalii provided some much-needed punch through the middle.

Thurston's curling conversion gave the home team a 10-4 lead, which they took to the break.

Gagai show continues after half-time

Another Blues' spill soon after half time put Queensland on the front foot, and Gagai crossed for his second try after fast hands to the right and a superb one-handed, over-the-top pass from Darius Boyd.

When it looked as though NSW may be about to crack under the pressure, the Frizell marked an excellent Origin debut with a try after steaming on to a Reynolds offload and crossing under the posts.

The Gagai show was not over yet, however. This time the winger benefitted from a touch of Thurston class, latching on to an opportunistic grubber to cap off his hat-trick.

It was a Gagai mistake which led to the Blues striking back as, with Queensland attacking, he battered a ball straight into the hands of Maloney, who set off on a slow-motion version of Queensland's intercept try, with Justin O'Neill unable to chase him down.

And the Blues could have evened the ledger in the 71st minute when Maloney grubbered into goal and Frizell touched down, but replays revealed a miniscule Jennings knock-on.

Perhaps the best try of the night was saved till last, with Oates leaping over in the corner after Thurston held his pass back and Boyd played the final ball in a slickly rehearsed backline move..

Queensland captain Cameron Smith, who had a quiet first half but was back to his influential best in the second term, said the two wins this year had not come easy.

"There was a little bit of pressure on the team this year given the one game at home and we fought so hard in game one to get that result," Smith said.

"No one can ever question our effort over this period of 11 years.

"They're a great side, the Blues, and we're just very fortunate to get that win

Maroons warhorse Corey Parker, who announced his retirement at the end of the season during the week, was delighted to sign off at Lang Park with a win.

"It hasn't really sunk in mate, to be honest," he told the ABC.

"It's been an amazing ride, this rep scene, and I think you saw it tonight again. Queensland just stood up. It was fantastic."

Topics: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

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