Queensland have won an Origin thriller in Perth, beating New South Wales 26-24 to level the series.
Here’s how the Maroons performed.
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Read on for the QLD Player Ratings for Origin II.
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Munster proud of the Maroons’ resilience | 02:42
1. Kalyn Ponga – 6
Much like his NRL form, was largely a mixed bag. Dropped the first bomb, had his blushes saved for a bad miss on Nathan Cleary by an obstruction call, but poked his nose through for a fast play-the-ball to set up the killer try before half-time and threw his body around in the desperate final minutes. Is Reece Walsh breathing down his neck?
2. Xavier Coates – 6.5
Swapped sides to his preferred left and away from Brian To’o, and as a result wasn’t involved in much of the action. Solid in defence and with his carries. Can be more of a weapon in game three.
Ponga: ‘I’d like that moment back!’ | 02:07
3. Robert Toia – 6
Can you believe he’s only played a handful of NRL games? Lovely slick hands to set up the Maroons’ opener, but looked a little shaky in defence after the break. Regardless, his dad’s decks will be spinning just that little bit faster this weekend.
4. Valentine Holmes – 7
Back at centre, back to somewhere his best. Produced a savage hit on NSW’s serial pest Liam Martin and importantly kept the scoreboard going up in sixes with his flawless goalkicking, which proved the difference. Stood up silly by Stephen Crichton for one NSW try. Has kept his Origin flame burning.
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Rookie Toia gets one over Latrell | 00:46
5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 6.5
A winger? In the first half, yes. Second half, no. Two first-half tries, including a spectacular aerial effort to expose To’o again. Then the bad. A target alongside Toia in defence and a horrible blunder fumbling Jarome Luai’s popgun kick.
6. Cameron Munster – 9
The most inspired choice as new captain. Made a bad blue with his first kick going dead, but superb thereafter. Barked orders, kicked often, kicked early, ran dangerously, always supported, scored, shot out of the line in defence, defused dangerous kicks. Can you believe he ran for more metres (123) than any Queensland player? As a half? The one man NSW truly fear.
7. Tom Dearden – 8
DCE who? Didn’t skip a beat and not far from best on field. Brilliant kick for Tabuai-Fidow’s try then showed all his nous and maturity to fool the Blues on a short-side play for Kurt Capewell’s try. Stationed on Queensland’s leaky right edge in the second half, which was a problem. But everything his coach wanted after axing Cherry-Evans.
8. Moeaki Fotuaika – 5
You never felt like he’s truly had a mortgage on this jersey. Some strong carries in his only stint which lasted just 23 minutes, but also fumbled the ball from one off the kick-off. Billy Slater will still want more.
9. Harry Grant – 9
From his worst Origin game to one of his best, an 80-minute masterclass. As if he needed any more attention, chucked the white beacon on his melon and outsmarted a clumsy NSW, having a hand in two first-half tries with quick scoots out of dummy-half. Held the middle together well. Might hold the key to the decider. Superb.
Trell STEAL sets up ‘grand stand finish’ | 00:42
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 4.5
Hammered Liam Martin with a brutal early hit, got hammered by Martin, had him in his face, hammered by Martin again, had him in his face again, had the ball stripped by Latrell leading to a late try. Despite the tough conditions, handling was sub par and had a night to forget. Still Queensland’s forward leader.
11. Reuben Cotter – 7.5
A contentious selection to start at back row, but justified. The less you see him, the better he is. Didn’t carry the ball a lot, but was never expected to. But he did an enormous job on Angus Crichton’s side of the field and generally tackled anything in blue that moved.
12. Kurt Capewell – 8
Origin’s John Farnham, there’s always one more comeback. And boy did Billy pull the right rein. Got a massive try just before the break, but also spilled a ball in the second half which started the NSW resurgence. Then came up with the tackle on Payne Haas to win it. An inspired recall.
LENIU GETS HIS KICK OFF MOMENT | 00:48
13. Trent Loiero – 6.5
Probably the only time Craig Bellamy has rued the player he’s developed. A surprise starter, tough, gritty, uncompromising, Queensland-like.
14. Kurt Mann – 6
An Origin debut no one could begrudge. Maybe played more minutes than expected, and none at No.9 either. Had a hand in Capewell’s try and generally busy in the middle of the field.
Mann: I thought it was all a bit past me | 01:49
15. Lindsay Collins – 5.5
Can you imagine what he says to Spencer Leniu when they meet in the halls of Roosters HQ later this week? Produced an Origin moment to be used in promos forever more colliding with his clubmate. Plenty of post contact metres in just 36 minutes.
Maroons shock NSW to set up decider | 02:59
16. Jeremiah Nanai – 5
Probably Queensland’s best in game one, but relegated to the bench and only found action in the second stanza. Just 27 minutes and two runs during the NSW second-half carnage.
17. Patrick Carrigan – 6
Hang with us for a moment, but maybe his relegation to the bench worked because it gave Queensland an experienced head in the middle when Tino was off. Restricted to just 34 minutes but did his job.
Luai on report for suspected eye gouge | 00:41
