State of Origin LIVE: Maroons hold lead at half-time after producing 20 points in 20 minutes

Well, NSW have started this half like they started the first – with an error.

This time it’s Haumole Olakau’atu who fumbles the play-the-ball, and Queensland get the ball just shy of halfway.

The Blues are let off the hook though, with Robert Toia losing the ball on the first tackle from the scrum feed.

Queensland 20, NSW 6 with 36 minutes to go

Here we go.

We’re into the final 40 minutes at Accor Stadium.

This is going to be an uphill battle for NSW. I’m calling it, if Queensland score first here, there’s no way the Blues can get back into the contest barring a sin bin or a send off. And even then, I trust the Maroons to rally.

It’s Kalyn Ponga who gets things under way with the kick-off, as Victor Radley takes the first carry for the Blues.

Queensland 20, NSW 6 with 40 minutes to go

There’s light for the Blues, but it’s distant. Queensland are just rolling – completing their sets at 90 per cent and averaging 43 metres each time. Each NSW set is only yielding 30, that’s a territory battle that basically has to reverse for the Blues to come back. Sam Walker is having a blinder and the Maroons dominance of possession means he’s only had to make seven tackles. NSW need to get at the smallest man on the field and tighten up their ruck defence – Queensland’s back five are rolling through them. That said, I can’t see a miracle revival. Cameron Munster and Harry Grant know how to close out an Origin win.

That’s half-time at Accor Stadium, where Queensland are well and truly on top.

It was a fast start from the Maroons which saw the Blues 20 points down in as many minutes, but it also came from some NSW errors, with Brian To’o losing the ball three times in the first half, and Stephen Crichton and Mitch Barnett also producing errors for the Blues.

Meanwhile, Queensland’s spine has been fantastic tonight. As predicted by Queensland coach Billy Slater, debutant halfback Sam Walker has risen to the occasion, with his short kicking game proving the difference tonight so far.

Half-time: Queensland 20, NSW 6

An uncharacteristic error from Kalyn Ponga has gifted NSW the ball inside the Maroons’ 40, and the door is open for the Blues once more.

NSW get a set restart, and with the ball swinging back to the right, Reece Robson puts a grubber in behind Kurt Capewell and into the in-goal.

Cameron Murray gets to the ball and knocks it on, but on inspection from the bunker, he plays at Capewell rather than the ball, giving a penalty away to Queensland.

That takes the air out of the stadium a little, with Queensland now in a good position to add points before half-time.

Queensland 20, NSW 6 after 36 minutes

The Blues are starting to get into the arm wrestle following that alarming good start from Queensland.

James Tedesco is looking safe under the high ball, and is starting to find that fancy footwork that we see so often from him in club land.

He’s a great player all right, but it’s been a couple of years since he’s been in the Origin arena. But the former NSW captain has worked his way into this match, and makes a break on the left edge to give the Blues good field position.

Queensland 20, NSW 6 after 32 minutes