State of Origin has finally lost its lustre

The 25-year-old Gagai then sprinted 80 metres for a glorious try, holding off a courageous Frizell on the way, to put Queensland 10-4 ahead at half-time and he touched down again seven minutes into the second half after taking a stunning pass from full-back Darius Boyd.

With just one series win in 11 eleven years, Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould said on the broadcasting channel post-match was very strong in his views as to the reasons behind the defeats in recent years.

Flanagan also said New South Wales supporters have a reputation of “eating” themselves after every loss, despite being up against a team which is “just too good”.

“It’s Gal’s last game for NSW”. Anytime a coach does that the guys have no second thoughts about who they’re playing for when they run out onto the field.

That’s because Queensland have proved to be a force of nature on home soil. The Maroons simply possess more firepower than NSW across all areas of the park, and their record at Suncorp Stadium speaks for itself.

For long spells Laurie Daley’s men were able to contain the illustrious attacking options available to his opposite number.

Now he is just 80 minutes away from a third series loss in four campaigns. “He’s our captain and I love him like a brother”. Along with definitely the best hooker I have ever seen and a five-eighth who will probably be the best we’ll ever see to date.

“I think we should stop eating ourselves and stand up and applaud the Queensland side”.

Still, the Maroons will feel as though they can perform better with ball in hand.

“There’s a lot of good players around them but they’re the keys to it”.

The Origin Series is seen as a Test trial but Frizell will remain eligible for Wales unless called on by the Australian selectors, in the way that Adrian Lam played for Papua New Guinea as well as Queensland.

The calls are coming thick and fast for a “selfish” Paul Gallen to step down from State of Origin III, but it appears the retiring Blues’ skipper is determined to play one final interstate game.

Queensland now chase their fifth series clean sweep after achieving the feat in 1988, 1989, 1995 and 2010.