A record-breaking first-half frenzy set the NSW Blues on the path to a resounding 38-18 victory over the Maroons in Origin two at the MCG on last night.
In the ensuing, it was player of the match Mitch Moses going to the line and putting Liam Martin into space between Tom Dearden and Su'A to grab the game's opening try in the 11th minute.
Just two minutes later the Blues turned the weight of possession into a second try when Latrell Mitchell produced a sublime flick pass to put Brian To'o over in the left corner. Zac Lomax converted from the sideline for a 12-0 lead.
New halfback Moses then stamped his class on the game with a pinpoint cross field kick for Lomax to soar above Taulagi and score in the 24th minute before putting in a grubber for To'o to bag his second just three minutes later and the Blues were out to a scarcely believable 22-0 lead.
With half-time looming the Blues iced an incredible opening 40 when Moses, Edwards and Stephen Crichton combined to put Lomax over for his second, the Dragons winger banging over his fifth conversion to make it 34-0.
The Maroons finally cracked the Blues defence in the 54th minute when Daly Cherry-Evans put edge back-rower Jeremiah Nanai into a hole and Val Holmes converted to cut the margin to 28 points.
With 20 minutes remaining it was try machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow coming up with a chip and chase special to pull the Maroons back to 34-12.
An offside penalty against Nanai invited the Blues into the red zone again and Moses put Edwards over for his first Origin try with a peach of a pass that bamboozled the Maroons defence.
Although well beaten the Maroons continued to fight on and Taulagi crossed wide out to make it 38-18 with Holmes' conversion.
From there the Blues closed out an emphatic victory to ensure the series would head to a decider on Queensland's home deck on July 17.
Source:NRL
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