The Blues did a fine job controlling the pace early in the second half, but a try from Gagai and conversion from Thurston cut the deficit to just four points, with plenty of time left on the clock. His clubmate Cooper has a slick left-edge combination with Thurston at NRL level while being a reliable player in his own right who is unlucky not to have played more than his one Origin to date (Game 3 last year). Queensland have picked a vastly better team compared to Game One and can be expected to put in a performance that reflects that.
"There's more chance than not that I'll play on next year, and I really enjoy playing for Queensland, so I'd like to think that if I did play on next year I'd play for Queensland again".
The stage is now set for Queensland to send Maroons warrior Thurston out of Origin a victor in the July 12 decider at Suncorp Stadium.
The blues could clinch just their second State of Origin series since 2005.
Instead the ageing Queensland side somehow remain on track for their 11th Origin triumph in 12 years.
James Maloney has taken exception to Andrew Johns' scathing verdict that NSW played dumb football and failed to target a visibly injured Johnathan Thurston in the second half of Wednesday night's State of Origin II loss.
Why Maroons can win: Slater-Thurston-Cronk-Smith.
Despite making a couple of early blunders, Hayne looked risky with the ball in hand and when he got his chance, he made the most of it, strolling through the ragged Queensland defence to score in front of the Blues supporters and replicate his 2014 pose.
Demanding no let-up after a rampant, record-setting 28-4 victory over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in game one, Daley has made the stunning confession that the Blues cashed in on the Maroons' misfortune in the series opener.
Now they are on track to send off some of their biggest names as winners.
Korea denies torturing USA student Warmbier
He was sent home last week suffering from brain damage and in what USA doctors called a state of unresponsive wakefulness. South Korea said the women defected on their own, while North Korea claimed they were deceived and abducted to the South.
Spectators were having flashbacks to game one as New South Wales bagged two tries in the space of 5 minutes.
NSW coach Laurie Daley claimed the Blues "weren't good enough" to land the killer blow.
Laurie Daley couldn't ask for much more.
"We knew they were a great side and they've got the players to claw back leads and I think we were a bit guilty of putting the cue in the rack and trying to defend the lead rather than playing the footy that got us our lead in the first place".
Billy Slater at the Queensland Maroons State of Origin captain's run at ANZ Stadium.
The Maroons' selection of Storm bolter Tim Glasby - one of four Queensland debutants for game two - only added to NSW's suspicions.
"I'll get in trouble if I comment on referees, don't I?"
Valentine Holmes dropped the ball on his first touch, before recovering to score the opening try in controversial fashion, when it appeared his foot had touched the sideline but the bunker ruled there was insufficient evidence to suggest he stepped out.
The one-two punch of tries to winger Brett Morris (24th) and halfback Mitchell Pearce (27th) ensured NSW had all the halftime momentum. Napa was on the field for 55 minutes, gained 119 metres from 14 runs and pulled off 30 tackles.
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