State of Origin 2022 Game 2: NSW Blues 44-12 Queensland Maroons – live!

LIVE – Updated at 12:59

Minute-by-minute report: NSW Blues bounced back with a comprehensive victory in Game 2 in Perth, with Nathan Cleary the star performer.

NSW are back. After losing out in a breathless Origin I classic in Sydney, the Blues reasserted themselves in Perth with a commanding victory over Queensland.

The game was nip-and-tuck for 38 minutes, with the Maroons arguably the more dangerous side in attack, but a sin-binning to Felise Kaufusi just before half-time transformed the game. NSW soon crossed with the man advantage, then heaped wave after wave of pressure on the Queensland defence in the second half.

All of Brad Fittler’s many changes worked, especially the inclusion of Matt Burton in the centres. By contrast, Billy Slater will have to hope it really was just a case of one incident determining the outcome because otherwise he would be fearful at how easily his team was overrun in the second half. Of particular concern would be how nervous his backs looked under Burton’s bombs, and how little impact his forwards made off the bench to wrestle control - in stark contrast to game one.

It sets everything up beautifully for a series decider at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday 13 July. Feel free to come back and joins us for that one. Until then, I’ll leave you with tonight’s match report.

Related: Nathan Cleary leads way as NSW roar back to level State of Origin series with Queensland

Jake Trbojevic gets a name-check on TV for his effort, and Matt Burton gets a special mention. He was superb in the centres with ball in hand, deserved his try, and proved a serious menace with his massive left boot. “One of our best, I reckon,” beamed Tedesco. “He is just a footy player. He has done so well at the