The teams will head to Suncorp Stadium for game three on July 8 with the series split after the Maroons levelled with a rare win in Melbourne, scoring six tries after halftime.
The most recent Queensland team to savour a victory at the MCG was in 1995, coached by Paul Vautin, with this year's side delivering in front of a record Origin crowd of 91,671.
Cameron Munster put on a play-making masterclass to orchestrate the second-half domination while halves partner Sam Walker was similarly impressive, also flawless with seven conversions and a penalty.
Selwyn scored twice early in the second half with fellow winger Jojo Fifita leaping high to add a third within 11 minutes as Queensland snared a 14-point lead with 25 minutes to play.
That turned around a four-point halftime deficit, the Maroons having been down 12-8 with the Blues' finally getting their start right to score through centre Kotoni Staggs.
Debutant NSW winger Mark Nawaqanitawase also touched down early, looking right at home on the Origin stage as he passed a number of early high ball tests.
Queensland did well to keep NSW in check, with both skipper Munster and prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui tested for a HIA during the first half.
Despite the disruption, Queensland were able to keep NSW scoreless during that time and instead crossed themselves through Trent Loiero.
Rugby convert Nawaqanitawase showed his freakish finishing prowess to bag a second in 59th minute to put NSW back in the hunt at 26-18.
But they lost Staggs to the sin-bin for a high-shot on Kalyn Ponga as the fullback off-loaded to tryscorer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, putting a dent in their hopes of a fight-back.
Cobbo then capped the night in the 71st minute, diving over for his third.
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