The NSW Blues were denied their greatest comeback in State of Origin history by the slimmest of margins, falling short 26-24 as the Queensland Maroons set up a game 3 decider after edging the Blues in Perth.
The Blues scored five tries to Queensland’s four but goal-kicking came back to cost Blues with Zac Lomax booting two of his five attempts.
Valentine Holmes was a perfect four from four to go with a penalty goal, marking the first time since 2001 that the Maroons had scored fewer tries than the Blues and won. Despite the lopsided stats sheet at half-time indicating Queensland’s ascendancy, almost all the key markers ended in NSW’s favour after 80 minutes.
Other than the scoreboard, the numbers that counted the most were arguably in the penalty count, which Queensland dominated 10-2.
Blues will play the Maroons on the 9th of July.
[Source: Fox Sports]
