LIVE: Maroons win Origin II
QUEENSLAND has won the 2016 State of Origin series, downing NSW 26-16.
Maroons winger Dane Gagai scored a hat-trick, while Corey Oates sealed the win in the dying minutes.
James Maloney and Tyson Frizell had earlier crossed for the Blues.
EARLIER: A spectacular 80-metre try to winger Dane Gagai against the run of play gave Queensland a 10-4 lead over New South Wales in a high paced opening 40 minutes to Origin II at Suncorp Stadium.
Gagai, who scored the only try in Queensland 6-4 win in game one in Sydney, showed no signs of the quad strain which had him in doubt until he passed a fitness test on Sunday.
With NSW attacking Queensland’s right side, a desperate Michael Jennings off-load close to the corner cannoned off a teammate and into Gagai’s hands.
Blues replacement Tyson Frizell somehow managed to ankle tape the Newcastle flyer who slide across the try line with NSW rival Blake Ferguson driving to drive him into touch.
It looked like Gagai’s right elbow may have hit the sideline but the Bunker flashed up the green “TRY” as the huge crowd erupted.
Gagai was outstanding running 120 metres in the first half.
Both sides kicked two penalties each.
