It was bitter-sweet night for Queensland at Accor Stadium. They may of lifted the State of Origin shield and celebrated winning back-to-back series’, but they were completely out-played by New South Wales.
The Maroons’ right edge defence was torn to shreds in the first half and they proved costly, while their strike players were kept quiet for most of the night.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow came up with some magic though, Queensland’s cult hero Lindsay Collins continued to pop up in the right place in the right time and Reuben Cotter – the Wally Lewis Medal recipient – got through 80 minutes again.
Read on for the QLD Maroons Player Ratings.
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‘Lack of urgency’ QLD score first | 00:45
Didn’t provide the same spark that Reece Walsh did in the No.1 jersey but was safe at the back. Brought his good support play from club-land though and was on deck ready to receive a ball from Harry Grant… only to blow a try with a poor pass to Daly Cherry-Evans.
2. XAVIER COATES 4
Had some tough moments in defence in the first half and was pushed off by James Tedesco in the lead-up to the try that sealed NSW’s win.
3. VALENTINE HOLMES 4
Nowhere near the usual performance we see from Valentine Holmes in a Queensland jumper. Got caught out in the Josh Addo-Carr and Bradman Best tries, threw a howler of a pass over Cameron Munster’s head that set his team back at least 10 metres and let James Tedesco through in the second half. But his short kick-off came off and he produced a perfectly-timed ball that sent Murray Taulagi threw a gap.
4. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW 8
One of Queensland’s best. Had a hand in the Maroon’s first try when he out-left Brian To’o. He then scored one of his own four minutes out from half time when he put a grubber down the sideline and cruised past Brian To’o. Finished with 107 metres and 17 tackles – zero misses.
5. MURRAY TAULAGI 5.5
Had a nice moment in the second half when we got a ball from Valentine Holmes to take off down the middle of the field and step James Tedesco.
6. CAMERON MUNSTER 6.5
Showed plenty of effort in defence early and produced the chip kick that led to Queensland’s first try. His kicking game threatened at times in the second half too but the opportunities weren’t iced.
7. DALY CHERRY-EVANS 6
Was drawn in by Cody Walker a couple of times, contributing to Queensland’s poor right-edge defence in the first half. But was there to dive on Valentine Holmes’ short kick-off and came up with an impressive chip kick – and a second kick – that almost ended in points.
8. REUBEN COTTER 8
Another super-human effort, getting through 80 minutes in the front row and finishing with 99 metres and a game-high of 38 tackles (two misses). Rewarded with the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.
9. HARRY GRANT 6.5
Couldn’t fault his effort but at times needed to simmer down. Gave away two penalties in the first half with one handing the Blues two points and also threw an intercept. He did come up with a crucial tackle on Bradman Best early – even though NSW went on to score in the other corner seconds later and darted out of dummy half through tired defenders and got a stunning pass to AJ Brimson in support. Rock-solid in defence with 28 tackles – no misses.
10. TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI 7.5
Had a big first stint for the Maroons, going into half time topping the metre count after some tough carries. Came back on and finished the job, finishing with the most running metres of any forward on the field (135). Also made 23 tackles with just one miss.
11. DAVID FIFITA 6.5
The star second-rower made some key tackles on the left edge in opening minutes and then was rewarded with the first try of the night. But other than that was relatively quiet.
12. JEREMIAH NANAI 5.5
Usually an attacking weapon but couldn’t make a mark on the game, finishing with 74 metres and 19 tackles – four misses.
13. PATRICK CARRIGAN 7.5
Busy as per usual with 117 running metres and 26 tackles with just one miss. Wasn’t his biggest performance but also didn’t do anything wrong.
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CHIP & CHASE – Foxx with an all timer! | 00:38
INTERCHANGE BENCH:
14. BEN HUNT 5.5
Was injected into the game in the 27th minute to play lock before shifting to hooker during the second half but didn’t quite have the impact he usually does in the Origin arena. Only had one run for 10 metres.
15. LINDSAY COLLINS 7
The Queensland cult hero didn’t disappoint. He had several big runs with one in particular setting the platform for Haimso Tabuai-Fidow’s try right before half time. And true to form, he seemed to pop up in the right place at the right time again.
16. MOEAKI FOTUAIKA 5
63 running metres and 18 tackles with one miss in a solid 25 minutes, but didn’t impact the game.
17. COREY HORSBURGH 5
The Origin debutant’s fresh legs were noticeable when he came on in the second half. He got involved in the action straight away and made 18 tackles with no misses.
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