Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden star as Maroons send State of Origin to series decider

Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden delivered a sublime one-two punch to floor NSW and keep the series alive with a nerve-jangling 26-24 victory in Origin II in Perth.

Phew. The Maroons are alive ... just.

Queensland’s new halves pairing Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden delivered a sublime one-two punch to floor NSW and keep the series alive with a nerve-jangling 26-24 victory in Origin II in Perth on Wednesday night.

Besieged Maroons coach Billy Slater’s decision to axe skipper Daly Cherry-Evans was vindicated as the Munster-Dearden alliance fired rejuvenated Queensland to a series decider in Sydney on July 9.

No Queensland team has ever won a series twice on the road after losing Game One at Suncorp Stadium but Slater’s troops have a glorious shot at breaking 45 years of history after this Optus Stadium square-up.

Cameron Munster and the Maroons have sent the State of Origin series to a decider. Picture: Getty Images

Stung by their 18-6 loss in the series opener, the Maroons were bravehearts before 57,023, suffocating sloppy NSW and playing with greater desire and tactical smarts in the pouring rain to salute one of Queensland’s finest wins.

Classy five-eighth Munster led from the front in his captaincy debut, while Dearden’s dynamism inspired a Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow double to give the Maroons a stunning 26-6 half-time.

But it was so nearly the greatest choke in Origin history.

Seemingly gone, the Blues shocked Queensland with a four-try second-half blitz to whittle the deficit to two points.

The Maroons were under siege for the final two minutes, but when NSW fullback Dylan Edwards coughed up the ball in the final seconds, Queensland players roared in an ultimate tribute to their coach’s self-belief.

“It was a heartstopper,” Slater said.

“We didn’t help ourselves in the second half.

“There was a lot of courage, effort, spirit, the last 10 minutes to defend our tryline was a great effort.”

GANG WARFARE

Isn’t it amazing what happens to a team when their pack rolls up the sleeves and gets down and dirty in midfield.

Queensland’s forwards were woeful in Game One. NSW’s greatest coach, Phil Gould, blamed the forward unit for Cherry-Evans’ sacking and questioned if they had a soft underbelly.

But in the driving WA rain, the Maroons pack found their heartbeat.

This was a midfield mauling built on Maroon pride and intent. Perhaps the best part was this: it was Queensland’s maligned contingent Mo Fotuaika, Kurt Capewell and Trent Loiero - not big gun Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - who stole the show.

The Blues discovered the vulnerability that comes with ill-discipline and midfield instability. They were caned 8-0 in the penalties in the first half and the Maroons surged, inspired by Fotuaika’s powerhouse early running

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TOMMY GUN

It was Queensland’s biggest selection call in 30 years. Skipper Cherry-Evans axed and the No.7 jumper he held for seven years and 20 consecutive Origin games handed to Cowboys rising star Tom Dearden.

Eighty minutes later, coach Slater was vindicated.

Dearden was magnificent. He is only 24 but the snowy-haired terrier channeled Allan Langer with the pluck, class and competitive guile that unlocked the Blues and ignited Queensland’s offence.

Dearden was chosen to create points. He delivered. He did in seven minutes what Queensland couldn’t do in their previous 160 _ set up two tries, both to Maroons winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Then came the superb short-side rush two minutes before half-time, hitting Kurt Mann for Kurt Capewell to crash over and propel the Maroons to a stunning 26-6 half-time lead.

Cherry-Evans played too laterally in Game One but Dearden, profiting from Queensland winning the ruck, superbly straightened the attack to demonstrate why he is nerveless in the Origin arena.

“You won’t get a negative word out of me on Cherry-Evans, it’s Tom’s time now and he didn’t surprise any of us,” Slater said.

“It’s the first time he has worn the No.7 for Queensland and it won’t be the last.”

Harry Grant was superb for the Maroons. Picture: Getty Images

WILD ABOUT HARRY

Never write-off a champion. Harry Grant atoned for his Game One shocker with a mighty performance for Queensland around the rucks.

There was a push for Grant to be dropped to the bench after a losing 0-4 record as a starting hooker but Slater held his nerve by keeping faith in his No.9 and the Maroons rake stepped up.

Any concerns about Grant’s bona fides as an Origin starter were emphatically erased when the Storm schemer charged out of dummy half and put Munster over for the 32nd-minute try that had the Blues in disarray at 20-6.

CAPTAIN CAM

Munster honoured his pre-match words to produce a skipper’s knock with a successfully superb debut as Queensland captain.

Listless in Game One, Munster relished the leadership role. His kicking radar was off at times but there was no doubting his competitive fire as he barked orders at his troops and thrived on the latitude provided by Dearden’s direct style at first receiver.

Munster’s first-half try was reward for his high-octane energy. He and Dearden have the makings of a long-term partnership.

Munster said the criticism over Slater inspired the Queensland riposte.

“When we get jabs and blokes in the media having a go at our coach, we want to make up for it,” he said.

“We didn’t perform for him in Game One. I played with Bill, he was a champion player and coach.

“When someone jabs at him, it hurts, I love him and I want to do the best thing for Queensland.

“The boys would have seen it (the criticism of Slater) on their phones.

“It’s up there with the great wins.

“It will be a harder task going to Sydney. We can’t be ambushed.”

Bring on the decider.