Game 2 in the State of Origin series is arguably the most important match of the series for the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons.
It's the game where everything is on the line equally for both states: seal the series, or hit back and force everything into a sudden-death Game 3 decider.
Momentum shifts, pressure peaks, and the biggest moments arrive.
Over the years, Game 2 has delivered chaos, comebacks and dynasty-breaking performances.
These are the five that stand above the rest.
1. Game 2, 2025 – Ten minutes of torture
NSW went into Game 2 2025 in Perth with confidence after a Game 1 win, and despite only 80 minutes being played in the series, talk of a potential clean sweep was growing.
Queensland made one of the biggest calls in selection history, with Slater dropping captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. Tom Dearden stepped into the number seven jersey, and Cameron Munster was given captaincy.
What followed was a statement.
Queensland produced a stellar first-half performance, going into halftime 26–6 up, stunning NSW and flipping the narrative completely. Many NSW fans were already resigned, ordering last drinks and preparing for a decider.
The second half proved that Origin football is a different beast.
NSW mounted a comeback, led by Brian To'o, who scored a hat trick, including a second-half double, dragging NSW back into the contest.
The final 10 minutes became some of the most tense in recent Origin history.
It was 26–18 when NSW failed to capitalise on a left-edge overlap and turned over the ball.
Then, as QLD came out of their line, Latrell Mitchell produced a strip and regained possession, giving NSW another chance.
A six again was awarded, and NSW pushed hard. Jarome Luai took a bold decision on third tackle in the pouring rain, slotting a grubber through that Angus Crichton chased down to score, bringing it back to 26–24 after a successful conversion from Lomax.
If NSW completed a comeback, it would have been the greatest in Origin history.
They had Queensland under pressure, but critical errors followed, including a tackle involving Capewell that saw Payne Haas lose possession, and another knock on from Dylan Edwards.
Queensland survived, held on in the final minutes, and sealed a 26–24 win in one of the most dramatic finishes of the modern era.
