The NSW Blues delivered a record-breaking first-half performance to secure a resounding 38-18 victory over the Maroons in Origin Two at the MCG.
An early try by Liam Martin set the tone, followed by a series of impressive plays including a sublime flick pass from Latrell Mitchell to Brian To’o and a pinpoint cross-field kick from Mitch Moses to Zac Lomax.
By halftime, the Blues led 34-0, the most points scored by any team in the opening half of an Origin game. The Maroons struggled to counter, only managing to score their first try in the 54th minute.
Despite a spirited fightback from the Maroons in the second half, with tries from Jeremiah Nanai, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and Murray Taulagi, the Blues maintained the lead.
Dylan Edwards scored his first Origin try, cementing the final result. The win ensures the series will head to a decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17, with the Blues aiming to replicate their comebacks of 1994, 2005, and 2019.