Made for Origin Gagai shines again for Qld

Dane Gagai's man-of-the-match display in Queensland's 18-14 win over NSW was just the latest in the winger's stellar State of Origin career.

Dane Gagai of the Maroons.

Two-try Dane Gagai produced another superb Origin display for the Maroons in Brisbane. (AAP)

Dane Gagai's two-try man-of-the-match performance in Queensland State of Origin win over NSW is just the latest in the winger's stellar Maroons career.

The 28-year-old has played 11 games for his state since debuting in 2015 and it's hard to remember a bad display in any of them.

Origin wins are as much about moments as anything and when Queensland needed one on Wednesday, it was Gagai who delivered.

NSW appeared destined to score a potentially decisive try in the 67th minute when Gagai intercepted a pass and sprinted the length of the Suncorp Stadium pitch.

An 8-all scoreline was suddenly 12-6 and the Maroons were on their way to another win.

Gagai was the hero again four minutes later when he flew through the air to acrobatically touch down just before going out of touch for his 11th try in as many Origin games.

Already a Wally Lewis Medallist from 2017, coach Kevin Walters wouldn't be surprised if Gagai claim's the award as player of the series again in 2019.

"He's just an Origin player ... every game when he plays Origin he's in the top two or three players," Walters said.

"We're very fortunate that he's in a Queensland jumper."

As well as his two tries, Gagai finished the match with a game-high 256 running metres, two linebreaks and three tackle busts.

The man himself says his Origin displays are more about ensuring he doesn't disappoint his teammates more than anything else.

"I just don't want to let these guys down," Gagai said.

"Everyone that takes that field, whether they're wearing a blue jersey or a maroon jersey, everyone's got skill, everyone's got talent.

"It's about the will and wanting to turn up."

MOST STATE OF ORIGIN TRIES FOR QUEENSLAND (Games in brackets)

18 - Greg Inglis (32)

17 - Darius Boyd (28)

12 - Dale Shearer (26)

12 - Billy Slater (31)

11 - Dane Gagai (11)


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Source: AAP


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