RESULT: Queensland 18 (Dane Gagai 2, Valentine Holmes tries; Johnathan Thurston 3 goals) bt NSW 16 (Jarryd Hayne, Brett Morris, Mitchell Pearce tries; James Maloney 2 goals)

KEY MOMENT: With the Blues dominating at 12-4, Jarryd Hayne had the chance to give his side at least a 12-point lead approaching halftime only to be bundled into touch. Opportunity lost for the Blues as the Maroons lived to fight another half.

MAN OF THE MOMENT: Johnathan Thurston – The champion half added another chapter to his storied career with the match-winning conversion from the sideline to level the series for Queensland.

MAN OF THE MOMENT: DANE GAGAI – Doesn’t boast the surname of Slater, Thurston, Cronk or Smith but upstaged his superstar teammates with a brilliant 80 minutes highlighted by his try-scoring double and late leveller that gave his five-eighth the chance to steal the show.

QUOTE – “The Queensland team, they’ve got so many champions in them, you always think you’re a chance regardless of the scoreboard,” jubilant Maroons coach Kevin Walters after his side snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

KEY STAT: Consider it an accumulation of stats – NSW had a higher completion rate, made more metres, gave more offloads, kicked for further, were forced to make less tackles and missed less tackles – yet on the scoreboard, where it mattered… they lost.

INJURIES: NSW – fullback James Tedesco (concussion), winger Brett Morris (knee), second-rower and skipper Boyd Cordner (calf) all hope to be fine.

QUEENSLAND: Thurston (shoulder) appears in serious doubt for the series decider – and his Origin farewell in Brisbane – after carrying his arm for much of the second half.

BIG TALKING POINT: How NSW let this one slip, allowing the Maroons to force a decider on home soil for the chance to secure a 12th series victory in 13 years.