SYDNEY - NSW halfback Andrew Johns produced a vintage display to lead the Blues to a series-levelling 32-22 win over Queensland in tonight's State of Origin match at Telstra Stadium.
The series heads back to Brisbane for a sellout decider at Suncorp Stadium next month with the confidence-boosted NSW side
looking to become only the second team to come from 1-0 down and capture the series.
The win, inspired by an awesome all-round game from Johns, continued Queensland's Telstra Stadium curse.
It was the Maroons' ninth loss in 10 games at the former Olympic venue, with the other clash ending in a draw.
Johns was in everything, having a hand in all five of NSW's tries and landing three goals from as many attempts.
If his kicks weren't bouncing off goal posts for tries, they were going in unpredictable directions.
His golden boot gave Queensland nightmares and the huge Telstra Stadium crowd of 82,389 rode his every kick.
There wasn't anything he couldn't do and the mesmerised Maroons had few answers to his craftiness.
When he took over the goalkicking, he landed three difficult conversions from the sidelines as NSW surged back from 12-8 down at halftime to lead 26-12 with 20 minutes remaining.
Johns' passing game was as good as his kicking, which included a telling 40-20 just after halftime that put the Blues on the attack.
Having only been called into the team last week when Trent Barrett was forced out with a thigh strain, the brilliant Newcastle No 7 was involved in fullback Anthony Minichiello's try just after halftime and also the next for veteran Steve Menzies, who got his first four-pointer in his 16th Origin.
Johns then threw a pinpoint cut-out pass for Matt Cooper to score and converted from the sideline to give the Blues a match-winning 26-12 lead.
Cooper had earlier been disallowed a try by referee Steve Clark off a forward pass by hooker Danny Buderus.
The game took a heavy toll with NSW winger Luke Rooney (groin), Bailey (cut chin) suffering injuries, while Queensland lost Carl Webb (groin) and Matt Sing, who left the game in the 65th minute.
- AAP
