Tyson Frizell and Wade Graham played starring roles as NSW thrashed Queensland 38-6 on Sunday night to keep the State of Origin series alive.
The Blues leveled the series with a comprehensive 32-point victory in Perth, with NSW to return home to Sydney where they will look to wrap up a second series win in a row in game three next month.
Young Manly star Tom Trbojevic was outstanding for NSW scoring a hat-trick while Josh Addo-Carr also crossed twice for the Blues.
Former Sharks five-eighth James Maloney, recalled after the Blues' loss in game one, was at his brilliant best. He controlled the game in attack, kicked a 40/20 and led NSW around the field after halfback Nathan Cleary was forced off at half-time with an ankle injury.
Cronulla and St George Illawarra were well represented in the match, with Dragons forward Frizell starting in the back-row for NSW while Ben Hunt played 80 minutes at hooker for Queensland.
Originally named to start the match, Dragons prop Paul Vaughan dropped to the bench alongside clubmate Tariq Sims and Sharks forward Wade Graham.
Frizell was at his typically dynamic best, making 36 tackles and scoring the Blues' second try with a strong run close to the line midway through the first half.
Graham was another success story for NSW coach Brad Fittler. Fittler chose Graham despite the back-rower having played just 86 minutes of NRL football this season after returning from a serious knee injury.
The Cronulla co-captain was thrust into the action early on after NSW skipper Boyd Cordner was forced off for a head injury assessment after a head clash with Felise Kaufusi.
Graham returned to the bench after a short stint in the back-row after Cordner passed his test. But Graham was back for the second half playing at five-eighth after the loss of Cleary.
And he had an impact, rolling a perfect grubber kick into the in-goal for Addo-Carr's first try. Graham also had a hand in Addo-Carr's second, holding up a pass with a perfect sense of timing before the winger touched down out wide.
"It was a great result," Graham told Nine.
"We knew how hard it would be. It's great to be back.
"Obviously the wet conditions played into my favour a bit. The game was a bit slower, we had to be a bit more patient.
"I'm just stoked to be back out here in this arena and stoked with the result. Can't wait to get back to Sydney for the decider now.
"I didn't really have any doubts. The Cronulla staff really looked after me. There's no shortcuts with an ACL rehab. But the cards have just fallen my way."
Hunt tried his best in a well-beaten Maroons side, with the Dragons attempting to spark his side with a brilliant 40/20 kick in the second half.
Tom Trbojevic had opened the scoring after he climbed above Kalyn Ponga to field a Maloney bomb.
Queensland hit back through a controversial penalty try after Jack Wighton was ruled to have impeded Will Chambers.
Frizell's try reestablished the Blues' lead as NSW began to throw the ball around despite the at times torrential rain and slippery conditions.
It was a sold out crowd of almost 60,000 at the new Optus Stadium in Perth, with another sell out expected for the decider in Sydney on July 10.
Leader Scoreboard
NSW 38 (Tom Trbojevic three, Josh Addo-Carr two, Tyson Frizell tries. James Maloney seven goals)
defeated
Queensland 6 (Penalty try. Kalyn Ponga goal)
at Optus Stadium, Perth
Crowd: 59,721
Leader man of the match: James Maloney (NSW)
