Cobbo hat-trick leads Queensland to State of Origin series-levelling win
8 verified2 unconfirmed
Selwyn Cobbo scored a second-half hat-trick as Queensland defeated New South Wales 44-24 in State of Origin game two at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday night. The victory leveled the three-match series at 1-1 after Queensland lost the opener by two points in Sydney. The Maroons trailed 12-8 at halftime after tries from Kotoni Staggs and debutant Mark Nawaqanitawase, but erupted for 36 points after the break. Cobbo grabbed tries in the 46th, 57th and 80th minutes, while Jojo Fifita, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Lindsay Collins also crossed. Staggs was sent to the sin bin in the second half for a high tackle on Queensland full-back Kalyn Ponga. The series decider will be played in Brisbane on July 8.
What’s verified
Selwyn Cobbo scored a second-half hat-trick for Queensland.
Queensland won 44-24 to level the State of Origin series at 1-1.
New South Wales led 12-8 at halftime.
Tries for New South Wales came from Kotoni Staggs and Mark Nawaqanitawase (two).
Tries for Queensland in addition to Cobbo’s three came from Jojo Fifita, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Lindsay Collins.
Kotoni Staggs was sin-binned for a high tackle on Kalyn Ponga.
The series decider is scheduled for July 8 in Brisbane.
The match was played at the MCG in Melbourne.
Not yet confirmed
Multiple match details were reported by only one source, including: Queensland captain Cameron Munster undergoing a head injury assessment; New South Wales forward Victor Radley conceding a penalty for a high tackle; Sam Walker converting all seven Queensland tries; New South Wales being coached by Laurie Daley; and specific sequences of play such as Thomas Flegler’s fumble and Mark Nawaqanitawase’s offload for Staggs’ try.
It is unclear from the available information how many total tries were scored by each team.
Key figures
Selwyn Cobbo (Queensland winger)
Kotoni Staggs (New South Wales centre)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (New South Wales winger, Origin debutant)
Jojo Fifita (Queensland winger)
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Queensland full-back)
Lindsay Collins (Queensland prop)
Kalyn Ponga (Queensland full-back)
Cameron Munster (Queensland captain)
Sam Walker (Queensland half-back)
Nathan Cleary (New South Wales half-back)
Harry Grant (Queensland hooker)
Max Plath (Queensland forward)
Victor Radley (New South Wales forward)
Thomas Flegler (Queensland prop)
Brian To’o (New South Wales winger)
Mitchell Barnett (New South Wales forward)
Laurie Daley (New South Wales coach, per one source)
Sources: BBC News, Sky Sports
