New South Wales overpower Queensland in Origin II

New South Wales pulled level in the State of Origin series with an impressive 44-12 win against Queensland in Perth on Sunday.

After a dramatic defeat in Origin I in Sydney, it was imperative that the Blues bounced back, and they got the first points on the board from the boot of Nathan Cleary with a 12th-minute penalty.

The Maroons crossed for the first try of the night in the 23rd minute when Felise Kaufusi ran onto a well-timed Kalyn Ponga pass, though the Blues responded immediately as Cleary executed a smart kick to his left straight into the hands of Matt Burton, who went over.

Queensland came right back though as Ponga again created an opening with a quick run and delayed pass to Valentine Holmes, who handed off to Cameron Munster, the player of the match in Origin I, and he raced through to score.

DECIDER SET. #Origin pic.twitter.com/ETbbst1W8d

— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2022

The game turned when Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements just before half-time, and it made an immediate difference as a swift move out to the left ended with Burton moving the ball on to Brian To'o, who sped to the corner, with Cleary adding the extras to make it 14-12 to the Blues at the break.

Brad Fittler's men began the second half in equally dominant fashion as the Blues took the game away from their tiring opponents, with Daniel Tupou and Jarome Luai adding further tries before the hour.

The floodgates opened as Cleary claimed two tries of his own to take the game away from Queensland, with Angus Crichton adding another before the end, sealing a dominant win to set up Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 13.