NSW captain Isaah Yeo showed his brains early in Origin II with a successful captain’s challenge reaping rewards.
In the seventh minute, Nathan Cleary was penalised for a strip on Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 20 metres out from Queensland’s line.
The Blues immediately challenge and were successful with the Bunker ruling Fa’asuamaleaui knocked the ball on.
READ MORE: ‘He just goes for it’: Genius NSW move moments before capitulation
READ MORE: Gamble that fired up critics becomes Slater masterpiece
READ MORE: Munster drops F-bomb in emotional post-game interview
“Queensland a little bit wobbly,” Andrew Johns said on Nine.
The Blues then went on the attack and Jarome Luai was the maestro for the first try.
Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
After earlier kicking the ball out on the full, the five-eighth put a grubber through on the third tackle.
No one from Queensland could pick it up as Angus Crichton kicked ahead with Brian To’o pouncing to score first.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui knocks the ball on before Brian To’o scores. Nine/Getty
“Once again that’s the mentality of Jarome Luai, he just goes for it,” Johns said.
Brad Fittler was critical of new halfback Tom Dearden’s efforts in defence.
“Tommy Dearden sat on his heels there. In these slippery conditions it’s much easier to put pressure on the ball handler, he just gave him too much time, get up on him,” he said.
