Dane Gagai of the Maroons celebrates scoring a try. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Queensland outplayed New South Wales in every single department as they won the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium to take the series 2-1.
One of the most anticipated games in State of Origin history ended up as more of a damp squid as Queensland gained revenge for their series defeat in 2014 by romping to a 52-6 victory on home soil in Brisbane.
The Blues actually took the lead in this one as Trent Hodkinson slotted over a penalty for a 2-0 lead, only for Johnathan Thurston to return the favour – and that was the closest that NSW got all night.
The Maroons took the lead after 15 minutes when they swung the ball right and debutant Dane Gagai was hand to scoop up a Nate Myles ball to score in the corner – Thurston converted for an 8-2 lead.
Queensland’s second try of the night came in the 27th minute when Josh Papali steams onto a short ball to go over, while Greg Inglis, playing at full-back, got in on the act to score five minutes before the break after Thurston had extended their lead with a penalty.
The Maroons led 22-2 at the break after not missing a single tackle in 40 minutes and there was no way back for New South Wales.
If NSW had any chance of making a game of this decider then they needed to score first – but unfortunately for them they didn’t as the Maroons started the second period just like they ended the first.
Matt Gillett put the game out of the Blues reach with a try immediately after half-time and further tries from Michael Morgan and Darius Boyd saw them race into a 40-2 lead.
New South Wales did manage a consolation try of their own as Michael Jennings raced away to score in the corner – the conversion was missed as they trailed 40-6.
Queensland took that try from Jennings as an insult and they went to make them pay as Will Chambers went across field and touched down in the corner in the 67th minute as the Maroons racked up their highest ever points total against the Blues. Thurston had a try ruled out as they looked to hit 50 but they soon did so as Aidan Guerra went over in the dying minutes.
Justin Hodges in his final State of Origin match was handed the task of kicking the final conversion and he did so as the Maroons won 52-6.
