State of Origin game 2 as it happened: Queensland’s 36-point second-half blitz sets up Suncorp Stadium decider

Plenty of Queensland players were left wanting to know why Kotoni Staggs wasn’t sent from the field for flattening Kalyn Ponga at the MCG on Wednesday night.

It was a tackle that could cruel Staggs’ hopes of keeping his spot for game three, especially with centre options like Latrell Mitchell, Bradman Best and Tom Trbojevic all returning from injury.

NSW’s hopes of a comeback were all but ended in the 67th minute when Staggs shot out of the line and crunched Ponga with his right shoulder. The Maroons fullback hit the deck and lay motionless, several Queenslanders grappled with Staggs as play continued, and the Maroons scored via Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Staggs was almost apologetic for the high and late shot, and was duly sent to the bin for ten minutes.

In the lead-up to the second State of Origin clash, Laurie Daley was the subject of a story suggesting that Blues players were uninspired by his pre-match addresses.

Whatever he said in the dressing-room before kick-off at the MCG must have gone down all right as NSW jumped out of the blocks and seized the ascendancy on Wednesday night.

Unfortunately for the Blues coach, they traded their nightmare beginning in Sydney for a shocking second half in Melbourne.

In what will almost certainly be Daley’s last game in charge of NSW, his team must now attempt to avoid another series defeat in the most unwelcoming of territory.

Well, Gus Gould has had his say.

Typically, we would paraphrase a bit of this, but Gus’ words cut straight to the point. So, here they are in full.

“I thought there were signs in game one. I said before the series, this New South Wales side to me looked really vulnerable if they didn’t get better than even money share with the ball, they needed the ball. I just couldn’t see this team winning without the ball.

“There is no doubt in the world that when they get good possession, Queensland are far better than NSW in attacking situations. They’re more courageous with the ball, they’re more skillful, they’re more willing to support play and throw those passes and kick the ball on early tackles.

Everyone, save for those clad in Blue, left the Melbourne Cricket Ground happy.

There was a record State of Origin crowd of 91,671, who witnessed a rugby league master class. There were the suited NRL executives, who have their dream decider at a time when they are attempting to broker a monster television deal.

And we even had cause for Reece Walsh to enter the arena, this time when Kalyn Ponga was the victim of a high shot. The rugby league scriptwriters have outdone themselves this time.

This result – a thumping 44-24 after a tepid start – will raise more questions about the composition of the NSW team that allowed it to happen. This is Laurie Daley’s 12th Origin loss with the clipboard, a result that takes him beyond Wayne Bennett for most coaching defeats. Somehow, he must muster a turnaround at that other famous cauldron, Suncorp Stadium.

Read the full match report here.

Now let’s hear from Queensland’s hat trick hero Selwyn Cobbo.

Just before we get to his quotes...remember, this is a guy who was dropped to reserve grade by the Broncos last year – he couldn’t even get a look in. This year, he heads to the Dolphins, where coach Kristian Woolf has helped revive his career before Billy Slater named him in his Origin team.

This is what he had to say after full-time.

“I’m very proud of the boys tonight, especially the middle,” he said.

“They showed up tonight and did all the hard work, and I just come in and do my role for the team.”

The always fun and never, ever controversial player ratings are in. And here’s a taste.

Selwyn Cobbo: Has Cobbo played a better game? Scored three tries and laid on another for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with a deft kick. Also made several strong carries. 8

Kotoni Staggs: Started the night well with the game’s first try, but it only got worse from there. Made a couple of errors costly in his own half and was sin-binned for a late, high hit on Kalyn Ponga as Queensland ran away with it.3

Read the full player ratings here.

In a surprise to no one, Queensland halfback Sam Walker has been named man of the match tonight.

It was a fantastic performance from Walker, whose short – and long – kicking game was once again on fire tonight, as it was in game one, and his sideline conversions were a picture of beauty – kicking 7/7 tonight.

Here’s what he had to say after the match.

“It was really special. I think to sort of bounce back from such a tough loss in game one, for the boys to come out and be really steely and ready to go tonight down here in Melbourne, it was awesome,” he said.

It’s time to hear from Queensland captain Cameron Munster.

“We were really good last game, just for that 60-minute period, then we fell asleep there for the last 20 minutes,” Munster said.

“They probably started better than us tonight, but I just liked the way we dug deep and played our best footy at the back end of the game.

“Going to a decider in Brissy and at Suncorp. Can’t wait.”