The NSW Blues have squared the State of Origin series after a strong performance at the MCG winning 26-18.

Here’s what the Blues and the Maroons had to say.

Laurie Daley on Paul Gallen: “Not only does he lead on the field, but he’s got a presence and that’s what people have when they’re leaders.”

Daley on Gallen again: “We’ve had some tough players, but he’ll certainly go down as one of the toughest.’’

Mal Meninga: “We didn’t get the rub of the green.”

Michael Jennings: “We didn’t give up. We hung in there. It was a brutal game.”

Josh Dugan: “We came home over the top in the end.”

Meninga on if Cooper Cronk will be ready for Origin III: “Yeah I’m pretty sure he will be.”

Paul Gallen: “Plenty wanted us to fail but we didn’t. We are now off for a decider.”