SYDNEY (AP) Winger Dane Gagai’s second try of the match in the 77th minute capped a stirring second-half Queensland comeback as the Maroons beat New South Wales 18-16 to level the three-match State of Origin rugby league series 1-1 on Wednesday.
Five-eighth Johnathan Thurston, returning from a shoulder injury, kicked the winning points with a conversion from near the sideline after Queensland trailed 16-6 at halftime before a sellout crowd of 82,259 at the Olympic Stadium.
The third match is scheduled for July 12 in Brisbane, when a Queensland win could give the state its 11th series victory in 12 years.