Queensland 22-6 New South Wales: Maroons retain State of Origin

Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith lift the State of Origin shield

Valentine Holmes scored a hat-trick of tries on only his second State of Origin appearance to help Queensland clinch the 2017 series with a 22-6 win over New South Wales.

The Maroons fought back from losing the opening game of the series to outscore the Blues by four tries to one for their 11th win in 12 series.

It was a spirited performance from Queensland, who once again proved superior despite missing injured Test stars Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Darius Boyd.

Valentine Holmes is congratulated after completing his hat-trick

In their absence a new breed stepped up with winger Dane Gagai named man of the series and debutant Cameron Munster ably deputising for Thurston at stand-off.

In an emotional aftermath to the victory Thurston, who injured his shoulder in the second game and kicked the winning goal in the final minute, lifted the Origin shield with skipper Cameron Smith.

The Maroons were carried to victory by the Melbourne Storm spine of Smith at hooker along with his fellow Storm team-mates Cooper Cronk at scrum-half, Munster at stand-off and Slater at full-back along with Will Chambers in the centres.

Jarrod Wallace scored Queensland's fourth try

Queensland took charge in the first half and could have been more than 12-0 ahead at half-time.

Winger Holmes scored both of the Maroons' tries, going over for his first in the 15th minute after strong work from Slater and Michael Morgan.

Cronk had a try disallowed when Brett Morris dislodged the ball from his grasp as he dived for the try-line.

Josh Dugan's try got New South Wales back into the contest

Cronk set up Queensland's second try on 26 minutes when his inch-perfect flat kick to the left wing found an unmarked Holmes.

The Maroons should have scored again nearing half-time after replacement forward Tim Glasby took play inside the Blues quarter with the defence back-pedalling, but Smith missed a try-scoring opportunity when he took the wrong option and Holmes was denied a first-half hat-trick of tries.

Maroons skipper Cameron Smith was influential throughout

The Blues reduced the deficit to six points when Josh Dugan plucked a high kick out of the air early in the second half.

But it proved a false dawn with the Maroons wrapping it up with two more tries to Holmes and prop Jarrod Wallace, with Munster having a hand in both tries.

Man of the match Smith led the Maroons magnificently and was a danger with his darts from dummy half.