State of Origin II LIVE updates: Blues dominate with four tries in 28 minutes

Cam Smith on the Channel Nine broadcast is asked if he’s seen an Origin game like this.

“Not for a long time. This has just been relentless from NSW. A fantastic start. You can see the coach [Billy Slater] there. I don’t know what he’d make of this first half. I’m sure there will be some instructions at half-time on the way they need to change this momentum. It’s only going to come through hard work and sticking to your plan. They have to believe in themselves.”

Harry Grant cops some friendly fire from Patrick Carrigan. A head clash has split him open and stopped the game after the pair attempted a tackle on Spencer Leniu.

When it rains, it pours for Queensland. And Liam Martin is now on report for lifting Reuben Cotter, Andrew Johns believes it’s a sin bin in commentary. Hard to argue with the Eighth Immortal on that one.

But then Stephen Crichton with a bit of brilliance. Somehow sneaks in for an intercept on a short ball. Runs 80 metres. NSW on the attack again. Leniu threatening to bust through. Luai forces a drop-out with a lovely little grubber. Queensland just have no answer.

NSW 28 Queensland 0

Queensland trying to work their way back into this contest. Harry Grant is on at dummy-half, Dylan Edwards had the Blues first error around the 30-minute mark.

The Maroons get some rare quality ball and Tom Dearden is smacked into a mistake by – *checks notes* – Mitchell Moses. They really can do no wrong NSW.

The Blues march downfield with Spencer Leniu thrown into the middle too. He has a strong carry and quick play-the-ball. Next set they swing left and Angus Crichton gets his arms free.

Lovely offload, Dylan Edwards is on the end of it and Latrell Mitchell is over soon enough. The big fella liked that one. Wild-eyed celebration and why not? And again, Lomax nails a sideline conversion.

NSW 28 Queensland 0

While NSW have been on the attack, with over 60 per cent of the possession so far this game, their defensive game also has been impressive, spearheaded by Dylan Edwards on debut. In his first game for his state, Edwards been influential early with a few crucial tackles and very vocal from the last line, helping to hold and command the Blues’ structure.

Penrith’s three-time premiership player – who has produced eight tries, six try assists, 81 tackle-busts and an average of 237 metres per game this season – was brought into the side at fullback to add pace and agility to the side.

And he’s doing just that. Edwards was forced to withdraw at the 11th hour from the first game in the series due to a quad muscle strain, and it’s easy to see why Blues coach Michael Maguire wanted him in his team.

Queensland are sinking quicker than the Titanic. NSW are in again after the Maroons send a kick-off out on the full. At the same time, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – who scored a hat-trick in game one – is off with a shoulder injury. Kurt Capewell on to defend in the centres.

Mitchell Moses puts it on a platter with a last-tackle grubber. Brian To’o on the spot for his second try of the night already. Reece Walsh caught badly out of position there. Lomax nails the conversion from out wide as well. They can do no wrong.

NSW 22 Queensland 0

NSW with 64% of possession in the first 20 minutes. Mitchell Moses kicking from just outside his 40 and finding the sideline a few metres out from the corner post.

Queensland stuck in their own 20 again. Hard yards. Cherry-Evans shanks his own clearing kick and To’o is under pressure, but taking the kick on his own 30 to start the set and then a penalty.

Blues on the attack again, Angus Crichton bumping through a few would-be defenders. Liam Martin with a quick play-the-ball but still some frantic play from NSW. Moses kicks across field to salvage the set and just like Origin I, Lomax flies high.

Up there Cazaly stuff from Lomax. Claims it up above his head, beats Taulagi in the air and touches down. That’s an iconic try.

Cameron Smith in commentary: “They call those speccies usually here at the MCG.”

NSW 16 Queensland 0