3 hours ago
3
6. Jarome Luai - 4
Has he played his last Origin? Dropped for game one and recalled when Mitchell Moses was injured, the Tigers playmaker started poorly by gifting the Maroons a seven-tackle set in the sixth minute with a chip kick that was fielded in-goal by Holmes. Also missed a couple of tackles that led to Queensland tries.
7. Nathan Cleary - 6
Kicked strongly and made 35 tackles with only one miss. His effort could not be faulted, but it was hard for him to shine, given that Queensland were so dominant. His critics will toss up the usual “he doesn’t own Origin” talk, but his performance wasn’t that bad.
Brian To’o is trapped by Valentine Holmes.Credit: Getty Images
8. Max King - 4
Played only 23 minutes, which didn’t leave him much opportunity to contribute. Made six carries for 36 metres and 18 tackles, and then spent the rest of the game on the bench.
9. Reece Robson - 5
Defended strongly, making 46 tackles with three misses, and started threatening from dummy-half early in the second half, before he was replaced in the 53rd minute. Lacks the attacking zip of Api Koroisau.
10. Payne Haas - 6
A solid all-round effort, carrying the ball 115 metres and making 41 tackles, but nowhere near as imposing as he has been previously. The Maroons muscled up in the middle to contain him and nullify NSW’s go-forward.
11. Liam Martin - 5
Wounded in an early gang tackle, the Penrith enforcer showed his toughness by soldiering on. But he was nowhere near as effective as in previous Origins, making only 55 metres in attack. Rolled up his sleeves in defence with 46 tackles.
12. Angus Crichton - 4
Smashed by Valentine Holmes in a 12th-minute bell-ringer, last year’s player of the series had a night to forget. He missed six tackles, including some important ones, and didn’t have much impact with ball in hand.
13. Isaah Yeo - 6
Led from the front with 109 metres and 49 tackles in 80 minutes, but never really threatened the line. Well contained by the Queensland middle forwards. Missed a tackle that allowed Harry Grant to score.
14. Connor Watson - 4
Came on in the 53rd minute and immediately looked lively. But by then, NSW were playing catch-up football, so it was hardly an ideal situation for the bench spark plug.
Loading
15. Spencer Leniu - 4
Played 36 minutes in two stints. Made a couple of trademark charges early but, as with his teammates, was unable to play to his potential.
16. Hudson Young - 4
Spent the first 52 minutes waiting to get into the action. Played out of position as a ball-playing middle forward but did his best in tough circumstances.
17: Stefano Utoikamanu - 5
Produced a good offload after entering the fray midway through the first half. Defended with some venom but also appeared to be struggling to keep up with the pace of the game at times.
Queensland Maroons
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - 8
Picked over Reece Walsh because of his support play, and justified the inclusion by jumping on a late offload to set up Dearden’s try. Came up with a couple of try-savers in the second half in the same set and produced a spectacular catch on a bomb, in which he continued to run away deep into enemy territory.
2. Xavier Coates - 7
Scored the opening try and got through a mountain of work coming out of his own end - finishing with 179 running metres.
Party time for the Maroons at Accor Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
3. Robert Toia - 7.5
Produced a miracle offload as he was being dragged into touch to unleash Tabuai-Fidow for Dearden’s first try. By halftime, a third of his 93 running metres were post-contact. He has stood up to Latrell Mitchell all series and kept the NSW superstar contained, and finished the night with 155 metres and four tackle busts.
4. Gehamat Shibasaki - 7
His tackle bust on Zac Lomax before finding the pass for Coates’ opening try presented the shock debutant with an early highlight reel moment. While he never got on top of Stephen Crichton - the Blues centre offering a couple of dangerous offloads early - he kept him well contained and did his job, finishing with 119 metres and seven tackle busts.
5. Valentine Holmes - 6
More impressive goal kicking, but his strong runs were a main theme, particularly one in the second half as the Maroons were coming out of trouble after fending off another attacking set. His 134 metres were among the toughest he has produced at this level.
6. Cameron Munster - 7.5
All eyes were on him following the passing of his father, and while he did not ignite the side, he did all the things an experienced five-eighth would do - controlling the kicking game early for 479 kick metres and doing all he could to pin the Blues’ in their own end.
7. Tom Dearden - 9
Was involved in everything - setting up the Cotter line break in the lead up to the opening try, while scoring the second one himself. He even produced the near-break and quick play the ball for Grant’s try, and came up with some clutch covering tackles - one preventing a Brian To’o try in the corner - before scoring his second with a trademark show and go. He well and truly belong in this arena.
8. Josh Papalii - 7
A short yet talismanic opening stint, running for 54 metres from five carries, laying Queensland’s foundation. Never took a backwards step in a heroic comeback from representative retirement.
Josh Papalii takes on the Blues defence.Credit: Getty Images
9. Harry Grant - 8
Was constantly probing around the ruck, and was rewarded with a typically burrowing try at close range on the stroke of halftime. Made an incredible 55 tackles while still managing 67 running metres.
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - 7
His first stint belied anything he had produced this series, running for 62 metres from six carries while relishing playing alongside Papalii.
11. Reuben Cotter - 8
Made the line break which got his side in position to score the opening try, and was genuinely inspirational - 87 metres and 18 tackles in the first half typifying his relentless mentality. He finished with 102 metres and 41 tackles.
12. Kurt Capewell - 6
His defence won game two, and another crucial hit - this time on Dylan Edwards - forced a knock-on pinned on his own line.
The Maroons celebrate their win.Credit: Getty
13. Trent Loiero - 8
He has settled into this arena, finishing the opening half with 70 running metres and 23 tackles for no misses. Finished with 114 metres and 49 tackles without a miss to silence the doubters who questioned his initial selection.
14. Kurt Mann - 6
Produced an amazing juggling act to regather the ball on the attack after a ricochet to earn another set, which ultimately led to Dearden’s second try.
15. Lindsay Collins - 7
Provided plenty of punch from the moment he stepped onto the field - running for 64 metres from six carries in the first half. Finished with 34 tackles and 95 metres.
16. Pat Carrigan - 8
Joined the fray 14 minutes in and was remarkable, bettered only by Brian To’o for most run metres in the opening half with 122 from 11 carries. More of the same after the break.
17. Jeremiah Nanai - N/A
Only got on the field right at the end of the contest, given the heroics of Cotter and Capewell, and was pinned for an obstruction which denied Holmes a try. Hard to judge him though given he played less than five minutes.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
