Queensland has drawn first blood in the 2023 State of Origin series, fighting back from behind with 12 men to score a stunning 26-18 victory.
The Blues looked to have the game at their mercy when Maroons prop Thomas Flegler was sent to the bin soon after NSW had hit the front but with all the odds against them Queensland found an unlikely knockout punch at the death.
The Mole rates all 34 players who took part in an extraordinary game, giving a 2.5 to Nicho Hynes that raises an awkward question about NSW’s selection.
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QUEENSLAND MAROONS
1. Reece Walsh
Safe under pressure and played a key role in both of Cobbo’s tries with smart passes.
Rating: 8
Walsh’s beautiful moment with daughter
2. Selwyn Cobbo
Capped a solid game with his first two Origin tries – and it will prove the first two of many.
Rating: 8
3. Valentine Holmes
Gave Cobbo plenty of clean ball, including the pass for the second try of the game.
Rating: 7
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Justified his selection ahead of Dane Gagai with two sizzling tries including the match-winner.
Rating: 8
Hammer stuns NSW with individual brilliance
5. Murray Taulagi
Superb in defence, coming up with two crucial try-saving tackles in the first half to deny the Blues.
Rating: 7.5
6. Cameron Munster
Too smart and slippery for the Blues, laying on both of Tabuai-Fidow’s tries with smart touches.
Rating: 8.5
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
Led his team around the park well as captain and kicked a vital 40/20.
Rating: 7
15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Made plenty of metres with the ball and took a power of stopping when on the charge.
Rating: 8
9. Ben Hunt
Solid without showing his outstanding Dragons form in his 53 minutes at hooker.
Rating: 6
16. Reuben Cotter
Not his strongest attacking game but led the Maroons defensive line with 48 hits.
Rating: 7.5
11. Tom Gilbert
Unlucky – lasted less than 20 minutes before dislocating his shoulder in his
Rating: 2
12. David Fifita
Justified his recall, running for over 100 metres and making his presence felt on the edge.
Rating: 6.5
13. Patrick Carrigan
Made more metres than any Queensland forward and strong throughout his 72 minutes.
Rating: 7.5
8. Thomas Flegler
Had a quiet game but was unlucky to be sin-binned for a soft hit.
Rating: 4
10. Lindsay Collins
Came up with some big hit and then sealed the win with a fine leap to catch a bomb and offload to Munster.
Rating: 7
Collins climbs high for freakish try assist
14. Harry Grant
Couldn’t produce any of his Melbourne magic in his 59 minutes but gave good service from dummyhalf and tackles solidly.
Rating: 6
17. Jai Arrow
Did his job from the bench, doing plenty of work in his half hour on the field.
Rating: 6
NSW BLUES
1. James Tedesco
A mixed game – broke the magic 200 metres running mark but missed a couple of vital tackles.
Rating: 7
2. Josh Addo-Carr
Solid in his Origin recall until he was badly beaten by Tabuai-Fidow for the try that turned the game.
Rating: 5.5
3. Tom Trbojevic
Still not quite back to his dynamic best before being forced off with a HIA.
Rating: 5
4. Stephen Crichton
Didn’t do a lot – but he’s a renowned big game tryscorer and came up with a four-pointer when it really mattered.
Rating: 6
Blues grab lead as Crichton dives over
5. Brian To’o
Also ran for 200 plus metres and got the Blues out of trouble on several occasions with his probing bursts.
Rating: 7
6. Jarome Luai
Laid on two tries but not really at his best in the clunky Blues’ backline.
Rating: 6.5
7. Nathan Cleary
Not his finest Origin game – didn’t trouble Queensland with his running, missed six tackles but kicked well.
Rating: 6.5
8. Tevita Pangai Jnr
Tried to lift the tempo for the Blues with his aggression but gave away a silly penalty and came up with an error.
Rating: 5
9. Api Koroisau
Scored a vital solo try for the Blues and gave his forwards smart service from dummyhalf. Topped the tackle count.
Rating: 6.5
Koroisau genius leads to controversial try
10. Payne Haas
Only played 51 minutes but still ran for over 130 metres – more than any Blues forward.
Rating: 7
11. Tyson Frizell
Only average in his 52 minutes – one of several players who could face the chop for game two.
Rating: 5
12. Hudson Young
The big occasion got to him and he made some errors – leaving Brad Fittler with a dilemma as to his future.
Rating: 4
13. Isaah Yeo
A busy game but was well marked by the Queensland defence and given little time or space.
Rating: 5
14. Junior Paulo
Another Blues player well down on his best – made just 89 metres in his half hour on the field.
Rating: 4.5
Joey takes aim at really poor NSW moment
15. Cameron Murray
Like many of his Blues team-mates, was solid without managing to come up with any big plays as Queensland dominated up front.
Rating: 5.5
16. Liam Martin
Did a great job from the bench, scoring the Blues’ opening try and adding plenty of aggression.
Rating: 7
17. Nicho Hynes
Only got 12 minutes out in the middle and was unable to change the trend of the game.
Rating: 2.5
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