Ethan Strange has capped off his glittering week with another inspirational performance to steer Canberra to a statement 26-12 victory against North Queensland.
After sparking NSW to a 22-20 comeback win in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday, the Raiders playmaker was influential on Sunday, making crucial tackles, scoring a try, assisting another and posting eight tackle busts at GIO Stadium.
His NRL performance will only strengthen his case to keep the NSW starting No.6 jersey for game two on June 17 after the 21-year-old was parachuted into the Blues squad with Mitchell Moses sustaining a hamstring injury.
But it wasn't just the Raiders' in-form five-eighth who made an impact. Kaeo Weekes grabbed a try and 192 metres, while hooker Tom Starling (109 metres, 28 tackles) dazzled to help the Raiders beat North Queensland at home for the first time since 2018.
