They've only gone and done it!
Queensland have won State of Origin!
It was a night to forget for the Blues, going down 22-12 in the series decider at Suncorp Stadium.
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There were a couple of shining lights for New South Wales, but not many.
As for Queensland, their performance will go gown as one of the best team efforts in recent memory.
Let's have a look out how each player went during that historic victory!
QUEENSLAND
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1. Kalyn Ponga – 9.5
What a sensational effort from this guy. He was everywhere, ran for 262m and made a monster 16 tackle breaks. Ponga was close to perfect.
2. Selwyn Cobbo – No Score
Poor Cobbo was taken off on a medicab in the opening minutes of the match after a sickening head knock and didn’t come back.
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3. Valentine Holmes – 8.5
‘Time Machine Holmes’ continues his amazing season like he has taken years off. Was solid across the park, scored his sides’ opening try, and how he managed to keep the ball in from going over the sideline late in the game was massive for the Maroon’s momentum.
4. Dane Gagai – 6
Had a better performance than Game Two but will be remembered for the blow up and sin bin. And it was a real fight! With real punches! Yes, people aren’t happy he snapped and threw down, but I loved every minute of it. Shame it was against Burton and not Luai.
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5. Corey Oates – 6.5
Very quiet first half, but a huge second half. Became heavily involved and earnt his call up.
6. Tom Dearden – 8
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A debut to remember. Had huge shoes to fill coming in for Munster, and never missed a beat. Was in control, set up the first try, and looked like he belonged. Silenced the doubters.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans – 8
A huge captains knock. Brilliant kicking game, led his boys around the park beautifully.
8. Lindsay Collins – No Score
The third Origin casualty in the early minutes of the game to cop a head knock and fail his HIA.
9. Ben Hunt – 9
Ok everyone, no more Ben Hunt - the man who dropped the ball in the 2015 GF. He is now only to be referred to as Ben Hunt – Winning try scorer of the 2022 Origin Series. And the 79 minutes before that try, he was awesome.
10. Josh Papalii – 7
Had to step up when Collins didn’t return, was huge up the middle.
11. Kurt Capewell – 7.5
Big game, handled the move to centre well with players gone, and was one of the best kick chasers of the night. Earnt himself a try before half time.
12. Jeremiah Nanai – 7
Great effort, never gave up. He was unfortunate to knock on twice in the lad up to two Maroons tries.
16. Pat Carrigan – 9
This guy is just something else. Once again made the most tackles from either side with 47, and deservedly won the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series in his debut series.
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 7
Ended up coming off the bench, but made an earlier than expected experience players dropping like flies.. Huge effort, massive tackles, did his job.
14. Harry Grant – 8
Once again when he came off the bench the Queenslanders lifted. Great out of dummy half, important kicking game – beautiful little kick led to his side’s second try.
15. Jai Arrow – 7
Didn’t come on until just after the second half but had a big impact. Another one who went out there and got the job done.
17. Tom Gilbert – 7
Another one on debut, and like big Tino came on earlier than expected. Took a bit to find his rhythm, but once he did stepped up and was heavily involved.
NEW SOUTH WALES
1. James Tedesco – 8
Teddy was the best players in a losing side. Ran for 292m, made seven tackle breaks and one line break. Kept trying to inspire his troops.
2. Brian To’o – 5
Not his best game. Tried hard, but had limited ball, and missed most of his tackles.
3. Matt Burton – 5
Definitely not the same Burton from Game Two. Will be remembered for that monster bomb that took forever to come down, copping a hiding from Gagai and being sin binned for hitting back.
4. Stephen Crichton – 3
Forgot he was there. And when I did see him, he missed the tackle that saw Holmes score, and had a brain fart and offloaded the ball that got his team trapped in gaol.
5. Daniel Tupou – 3
Looked off. Not sure if he was suffering from cramp of an injury. Queensland were smart to keep kicking to him on the last.
6. Jarome Luai – 5
Mixed bag. Scored a great try, threw a bonkers pass over the sideline. Made great tackles, missed some horrible ones. But seeing him going off while standing over the top of a knocked out Cobbo – disgusting. Needs an attitude check.
7. Nathan Cleary – 6
Tried hard. Strong in the first half but seemed to unravel in the second. Lovely grubber to set up his sides first try, but will be remembered for his fateful chip kick that Ben Hunt caught and scored off in the dying minutes to win the series for the Maroons.
16. Junior Paulo – 5
Was switched late to the staring side, and made a big impact early on. But another one that dropped the ball (literally and figuratively) in the second half.
9. Api Koroisau – 5.5
Did well out of dummy half in the first half, then switched with Cook early in the second half and spent the rest of the night on the bench.
10. Jake Trbojevic – 7.5
Once again tried his guts out. Made 43 tackles and didn’t miss a single one.
11. Cam Murray – No Score
Was the first victim of the dreaded head knock in the opening minute and failed his HIA.
12. Liam Martin – 6
Kept having a dig and put in a decent effort. Was stripped of the ball at a pivotal time in the second half.
13. Isaah Yeo – 5
Another one who kept trying but couldn’t make the same impact he is used to in club land.
14. Damien Cook – 4
Came on late, tried to inject himself, but his side was all about defence with Qld on the attack.. Made 27 tackles with no misses.
8. Jacob Saifiti – 7
Ended up making his debut off the bench and made a huge impact as soon as he stepped on the field. Scored a try and silenced some critics.
15. Angus Crichton – 7
Another one who was brought on early due to players failing HIA’s. Had a strong game, made 29 tackles and three tackle breaks. Constantly tried.
17. Siosifa Talakai – 4
Unfortunately, his solid defensive efforts early in the second half won’t be remembered as quickly as the costly errors he made late in the second half.
Topics: Australia, Rugby League, NRL
Danielle Smith