TWO New South Wales stars land in hot water for shocking State of Origin II acts during firey first half in Perth

New South Wales stars Jarome Luai and Zac Lomax have both landed in hot water with officials during the first half of State of Origin II. 

Luai was first put on report for an alleged eye gouge, while Lomax appeared to lash an elbow to the temple of Maroons star Trent Loiero. 

New South Wales got off to a great start, with Brian To'o crossing the white wash after six minutes. 

But Queensland hit back not long after with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow touching fown twice in seven minutes. 

With just over 15 minutes left on the clock in the first half, Luai brought Queensland star Reuben Cotter to the ground and appeared to push his hand in the face of the Cowboys star covering his eyes. 

A penalty was subsequently given against the Blues, with Cotter appearing to yell out, and push Luai in the face. 

'How's that not a sin bin?' one fan said on X, while another concurred: 'Can't believe he wasn't sin binned. Raking the eyes.' 

'How that wasn't time in the bin is astonishing. That should be weeks. Terrible look.' 

Another went as far as making reference to Aaron Woods explosive comments this week slamming Billy Slater, writing: 'Woods called the wrong bloke a grub.' 

Lomax, stupidly, threw his arm into the side of the head of Loiero after the Eels star was tackled 30m out from his own line. 

The referee awarded a penalty against Lomax, with Loiero leaving the field for a head injury assessment. 

He was replaced by Kurt Mann, Queensland's second-oldest debutant. 

But despite going ahead 6-0 within the first six minutes of the match, New South Wales fell away from their opponents, with newly appointed captain Cameron Munster a standout. 

Munster crossed the try-line in the 30th minute, while Kurt Capewell got another four minutes before half-time, after Nathan Cleary had a try scrubbed for the Blues for an obstruction. 

Valetine Holmes was clinical with the boot, to help Queensland take a 26-6 lead into the second half. 

For Phil Gould, the Blues just hadn't played the conditions as well as their opponents, with rain beginning to belt down on the pitch at the Optus Stadium just before half-time. 

'I don't think there are any excuses, you get a scoreline of 26-6 in a half of football in origin it means one team's been really good and the other's been really poor,' Gus said to Channel Nine during the break.

'Queensland have come up with plenty of energy and they've played to the conditions a lot better than New South Wales. They've kicked early, Munster has been extremely busy the captaincy has put a fire under him and he's into everything.

'New South Wales have been so undisciplined the penalty count is horrific against them. The six-again count, turnovers with the ball. They're not getting to their kicks. Really, Queensland have just been far too good for them in these conditions.

'The Blues, I won't say they've underestimated them, but by scoring that try early I think they've softened. Queensland were really up for the fight, NSW didn't see it coming - that's why we've got a fight like we're seeing.' 

More to follow...