Nathan Cleary produced a moment of individual brilliance to hand New South Wales a third try, stripping the ball cleanly from Queensland's Selwyn Cobbo and creating the opportunity for Cameron Murray to cross the line.
The play proved a damaging blow for the Maroons, who were caught out giving up what appeared to be a soft try after Cleary's intervention turned defence into attack in an instant. Murray needed little invitation to finish off the chance once Cleary had done the hard work.
The moment underlined Cleary's ability to influence the contest beyond his role as a playmaker, with his instinctive read of the ball in Cobbo's hands proving decisive for the Blues.
