'What a freak': Qld star's stunning feats leave fans in awe
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.
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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.
Incredibly, the Maroons winger has scored more Origin tries than the rest of his Queensland teammates combined.
Gagai’s stunning strike rate has him on track to move above legendary Maroons Billy Slater and Dale Shearer on Queensland’s all-time try-scorers list, having played considerably fewer matches.
The stunning feats left fans in awe on social media.
Gagai with the 11 tries for 11 origin games 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾
— Ofnick (@tiloahkuoi) June 5, 2019
At this rate, Gagai is going to more than beat Inglis’ Origin try scoring record. 11 from 11 - wow! #StateOfOrigin
— Louise Fernance (@weezie_13) June 5, 2019
Wow!!! Dane Gagai #StateOfOrigin2019 #Maroons
— Greg Walker (@gregWalker_11) June 5, 2019
Dane Gagai scores 11 tries in Origin from 11 matches for @QLDmaroons . In @nrl he is 38 tries from 170 matches for @brisbanebroncos @NRLKnights @SSFCRABBITOHS . For Australia 4 tries from 7 matches & even 2 tries from 3 matches for All Stars. What is it about him & Origin?
— Glenn Munsie (@glennmunsieTAB) June 5, 2019
@NRL an absolute Origin classic @QLDmaroons @NSWRL one of the truly great Origin matches... Dane Gagai born for the Origin arena... always a class performer on the biggest of stages superbly supported by Ponga Munster n Cherry-Evans #Maroons #Blues #Suncorp #StateOfOrigin 🏉👍 pic.twitter.com/Jk8Z0Y8ZJD
— Jase 🏉🤘 (@Jasen_Gee) June 5, 2019
Gagai will have scored the most Origin tries by the time he’s finished 😤
— Jordyn 🐻🍀 (@Kyrieminati) June 5, 2019
Dane Gagai has to be the 1st QLD player picked every game, I’m not even joking. What a FREAK.
— Jordyn 🐻🍀 (@Kyrieminati) June 5, 2019
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."
Considering Gagai’s try-scoring rate, Greg Inglis’ record 18 tries for Queensland is looking under serious threat.
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)
With AAP