SYDNEY: Josh Addo-Carr scored two tries and the halves combination of Nathan Cleary and Cody Walker dominated as New South Wales beat Queensland 34-10 on Wednesday to level the State of Origin series and send it to a decider next week in Brisbane.
New South Wales lost the series-opening game 18-14 in Adelaide last week after taking an early 10-0 lead.
This time it was Queensland which scored early via a spectacular aerial effort from winger Xavier Coates in the right corner in the 7th minute, only for New South Wales to hit back hard and take an 18-4 lead at halftime.
Walker was recalled to start at five-eighth after missing the opener, and he made an immediate impact. He took pressure off halfback Cleary in the playmaking positions and provided a second option with his left-foot kicking in general play.
He also scored the first try for the Blues, giving the home team a lead in the 16th minute which they never surrendered. New captain James Tedesco scored in the 22nd and winger Addo-Carr crossed for his first try just before halftime.
Walker’s input was more significant considering Queensland lost five-eighth and playmaker Cameron Munster in the second minute to a head injury, leaving the Maroons attack lacking direction for most of the match.
New South Wales scored three tries to Queensland’s one in the second half, finishing with Addo-Carr’s second.
Cleary landed four conversions from six attempts and added a penalty goal for a personal haul of 10 points.
Queensland will be at home next Wednesday for the series finale.
The Origin series is usually played in June and July but has been delayed until the end of the NRL season because of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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