Dane Gagai raced away from Josh Addo-Carr and then raced away with man-of-the-match honours.
The South Sydney flyer was a joy to watch in full flight when he took a Jack Wighton intercept and charged 95m with the "Fox" in hot pursuit.
Dane wreck: Dane Gagai launches himself through the air after running 100 metres to score.Credit:AAP
Four minutes later Gagai was over for a double as the Maroons celebrations started early.
Gagai now has a remarkable 11 tries in as many Origin appearances for Queensland.
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James Tedesco made a serious case for the top honour in the first half as he was easily the best player on the ground.
The NSW No. 1 looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, and came up with a few try-savers, including a wonderful desperation tackle on Will Chambers.
Queensland fullback and fellow superstar Kalyn Ponga left his best until the second half, and it was his brave effort to put his body in front of Latrell Mitchell late in the game that will feature plenty of times on the highlights reel.
But Gagai finished with 18 runs for more than 250m. He more than held his own against Addo-Carr and Mitchell, the Blues' lethal left-edge combination.
Like his good mate and recently-retired superstar Greg Inglis, Gagai seems to take his game to a new level come Origin time.
Gagai could not have enjoyed a better end to the night compared to his Souths teammate Cody Walker whose Blues debut was hardly one to remember.
"He scored some great tries tonight, but his carries out of our own end were fantastic,'' said Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, who also would have gone close to top billing.
Unlike the Billy Slater saga after last year's Origin III at the same venue, few would complain about Gagai getting the nod for man of the match.
He's in for some exciting times ahead as he gets set to join James Roberts on the same right edge in clubland.
What he lacks in size compared to Corey Oates Read More – Source
Dane Gagai raced away from Josh Addo-Carr and then raced away with man-of-the-match honours.
The South Sydney flyer was a joy to watch in full flight when he took a Jack Wighton intercept and charged 95m with the "Fox" in hot pursuit.
Dane wreck: Dane Gagai launches himself through the air after running 100 metres to score.Credit:AAP
Four minutes later Gagai was over for a double as the Maroons celebrations started early.
Gagai now has a remarkable 11 tries in as many Origin appearances for Queensland.
Advertisement
James Tedesco made a serious case for the top honour in the first half as he was easily the best player on the ground.
The NSW No. 1 looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, and came up with a few try-savers, including a wonderful desperation tackle on Will Chambers.
Queensland fullback and fellow superstar Kalyn Ponga left his best until the second half, and it was his brave effort to put his body in front of Latrell Mitchell late in the game that will feature plenty of times on the highlights reel.
But Gagai finished with 18 runs for more than 250m. He more than held his own against Addo-Carr and Mitchell, the Blues' lethal left-edge combination.
Like his good mate and recently-retired superstar Greg Inglis, Gagai seems to take his game to a new level come Origin time.
Gagai could not have enjoyed a better end to the night compared to his Souths teammate Cody Walker whose Blues debut was hardly one to remember.
"He scored some great tries tonight, but his carries out of our own end were fantastic,'' said Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, who also would have gone close to top billing.
Unlike the Billy Slater saga after last year's Origin III at the same venue, few would complain about Gagai getting the nod for man of the match.
He's in for some exciting times ahead as he gets set to join James Roberts on the same right edge in clubland.
What he lacks in size compared to Corey Oates Read More – Source
