The Blues scored five tries to Queensland’s four but, as was the case in the opener, goal-kicking came back to cost NSW with Zac Lomax booting two of his five attempts.

Valentine Holmes, meanwhile, was a perfect four from four to go with a penalty goal, marking the first time since 2001 that the Maroons had scored fewer tries than the Blues and won.

Elsewhere, it was vindication for Queensland coach Billy Slater, who came under significant scrutiny for the make-up of his forward pack but starting second rowers Reuben Cotter and Kurt Capewell were tireless in the middle of the field.

It was a wet and fiery opening half to the game, and a sloppy one too from the Blues as Jarome Luai sent the first kick of the night out on the full.

It was a very different result from NSW’s second last-tackle option, however, as Nathan Cleary forced an error from Kalyn Ponga and while the Blues didn’t capitalise immediately, it set the tone for a strong start from Laurie Daley’s side.

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A successful captain’s challenge then set the Blues up for another crack at the Queensland line and they took advantage, with Luai putting boot to ball again and this time executing with a deft touch as Angus Crichton then toed it ahead for Brian To’o.

It was an ominous start for NSW, but Phil Gould said instead of empowering the Blues the early try may have “softened” them, sparking a Queensland fightback they “didn’t see coming”.

Queensland quickly hit back through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and the Maroons flyer made it a double soon after as he beat To’o in an aerial battle to score in the 20th minute.

Ill-discipline then started to creep in for the Blues, with Luai put on report for giving Reuben Cotter a facial while Lomax was later also penalised against the run of play for elbowing Trent Loiero in a tackle.

That saw Valentine Holmes boot Queensland ahead by 14 points and later it became 20 as Harry Grant linked up with Storm teammate Cameron Munster for a try in the 30th minute.

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Cleary looked to have put the Blues back in the contest when he took on the Maroons defence and scored in the 35th minute, but it was later ruled an obstruction in a key turning point as Queensland went down the other hand and put Capewell over to leave the halftime score at 26-6.

The Blues desperately needed to be first on the board in the second half and after earning their first penalty of the night, having previously been down 9-0 on the count, To’o went over on a well-worked play to cut the deficit to 26-10.

A hulking Stephen Crichton, who didn’t have a single run in the first half, then produced an inspired effort to power his way over in the 57th minute, making it a two-score game.

The Maroons later appeared to have the Blues in trouble, trapped deep inside their own half, but a clearing Luai kick was spilled by Tabuai-Fidow, gifting NSW another set in Queensland territory.

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The Blues were quick to make it count too as To’o scored his third before a one-on-one strip from Latrell Mitchell helped set up another NSW try, this time seeing Luai kick early for Angus Crichton.

That cut Queensland’s lead to just two points and the Blues had multiple chances to steal it at the death but came up just short.

The series decider is on July 9 at Accor Stadium, Sydney.