New South Wales put in a monumental team effort to keep their State of Origin hopes alive at the MCG.
But eagle-eyed fans spotted a moment during the national anthem that was cause for concern ahead of the huge second game.
As the camera ran down the line-ups of Queensland and Blues stars, the Maroons joined arm-in-arm as the anthem was sung by Sheridan Adams.
However, two Blues stars – Jarome Luai and Liam Martin – kept their hands by their side, rather than take up the customary position to show unity.
As it was, Martin assuaged those concerns by getting the Blues off to a flying start after scoring following a sustained spell of pressure from New South Wales in the early knockings of the game.
The Panthers star showed no sign of lacking passion for his state team as he enthusiastically booted the ball into the MCG crowd after giving his side the edge.
It was a one-sided onslaught from there, with the Blues securing a 34-0 half time lead.
That figure represented the biggest points margin between the two teams at half time in Origin history.
The Maroons rallied in the second half to claw back 18 points, but it was a comfortable victory for NSW, with their 38-18 win heaping pressure on their rivals ahead of the decider in Brisbane.
All the praise was for Eels star Mitchell Moses, who took home the man of the match prize.
Former NSW coach Phil Gould, who steered the Blues to a 14-0 victory in the first Origin match ever played at the MCG back in 1994, said Moses had ‘come of age’.
‘Absolutely stellar,’ Gould said in commentary.
‘He’s (Moses) come of age on the representative scene tonight.
‘He’s running the show.’
Ex-Blues halfback Andrew Johns went further, saying it was the best game Moses had played in any arena.
Maguire’s other major selection changes also came up trumps.
Fullback Dylan Edwards, making his Origin debut in place of former skipper James Tedesco, looked right at home and bagged a second-half try.
Centre Latrell Mitchell also scored, terrorising the Maroons in both attack and defence in a physical display.