The NSW halfback was instrumental on Wednesday night as the Blues claimed a convincing 34-10 victory to level the State of Origin series at one-game apiece.

Two weeks on from his NRL grand final nightmare and seven days after he went missing at the Adelaide Oval, Cleary returned to ANZ Stadium to bury his demons.

And that he did, the 22-year-old taking control of the NSW attack and kicking with aplomb throughout the encounter.

The performance came after a week of intense scrutiny, many questioning coach Brad Fittler's decision to back his halfback and drop Luke Keary.

The coach was not surprised with Cleary's performance, instead describing it as a sign of his character.

"He was good," Fittler said. "His kicking was good. He made an error early, (Cameron) Munster caught it in goal and they scored off the back of that. He was faultless the rest of the way.

"A lot of people think he's got really good character. He's a tough kid, he just handled it. It's great for the future of Penrith and the Blues."

Of course Cleary wasn't the only player to improve on last week's disappointing effort.

James Tedesco was back to his best in his first appearance as captain, Damien Cook was sniping around the base of the ruck and Cody Walker provided outstanding support for his halves partner.

In essence, it was the dominant performance so many had expected from the Blues last week.

The challenge now is to produce a repeat showing at Suncorp Stadium. History will be against the side, 1994 and 2005 the only times the Blues have won a decider in Brisbane.

That, Fittler knows, will prove a far tougher assignment than Wednesday night.

"We won a game that we were expected to win in front of our own crowd. Cameron Munster got hurt early, a lot of things went right for us.

"It was great to give ourselves the opportunity to go win it at Suncorp, but there's always a reaction in State of Origin.

"We need to make sure the players are aware. We need to get ready again, and be the same, if not better."

For the Maroons, it was a torrid evening, Cameron Munster leaving the game with a concussion in the third minute.

The five-eighth's absence didn't affect the side initially, Queensland controlling the opening 10 minutes in similar fashion to Origin I.

Unlike last week, however, the Maroons capitalised on their dominance to take a 4-0 lead.

The Blues hit back through Walker, the five-eighth on the end of a Cleary pass, with the halfback landing the conversion to put his side ahead.

A second try to James Tedesco followed, before NSW fans were forced to sit through what seemed like a mirror image of last Wednesday night.

Fittler's side spent much of the final 15 minutes of the first half camped down the Maroons end, the visitors desperately hanging on.

Whereas Queensland held firm in Origin I, the Blues were able to break through for a decisive third try, Josh Addo-Carr finishing off a scrum move to make it 18-4 at the break.

NSW then made sure there would be no Queensland comeback immediately after half-time, Jack Wighton crashing over in the 42^nd minute to bury the Maroons.

That try sent the 36, 212 fans in attendance into a frenzy, the Blues supporters celebrating throughout much of the second half.