Queensland dominated NSW in the second half to win the series in one of the most intensely physical games in the history of State of Origin on Thursday night.
Three players were taken off due to savage head knocks in the opening minutes of the contest, Matt Burton and Dane Gagai threw punches and got sin binned and the hits were ferocious from start to finish at Suncorp Stadium.
Here’s who excelled and who disappointed in a Maroons triumph for the ages.
NSW
JAMES TEDESCO 8.5
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Teddy’s efforts during this game, and the entire series. His statistics were mind-blowing as usual, but he was the only NSW player that never stopped. Was everywhere in attack and defence but just needed a few of his teammates to go with him. What a way to lead by example, and perhaps only overshadowed by Ponga.
BRIAN TO’O 3
Missed double the amount of tackles that he made which is quite the achievement. The metreage he gained flattered him, because he didn’t look incisive whatsoever from the back half unlike his brilliant game two.
MATT BURTON 6
You have to wonder why on earth he didn’t have the number 6 on his back. Made probably the highest bomb ever seen in an Origin game then sin-binned for his fight with Gagai. Solid in defence and tried to spark in attack but just could not get his hands on the ball enough. He’ll be a star for NSW for years to come.
James Tedesco was the best on the park for NSW – coming up with mind-blowing stats not just in game three, but across the whole series
STEPHEN CRICHTON 3
Simply put, offered nothing in defence or attack. Looked overawed all through the series and a simple missed tackle led to the first try before a head-scratching offload on his own line gave Queensland the ball back.
DANIEL TUPOU 5
It was a horror start for the rangy winger, barely getting his hands on a simple bomb that led to Queensland’s first try and he looked completely bereft of confidence. Didn’t have his usual energy with ball in hand but did kick it up a notch a bit late in the second half but by then it was too late.
JAROME LUAI 2
Can talk the talk in big games, but yet to see him walk the walk. Scored a try off a grubber but that was the only redeeming act he made in the game. Missed six tackles, had four ineffective ones, and was practically just a witches hat to Ponga all game. Ugly moment when he stood over an unconscious Cobbo showed his true colours.
NATHAN CLEARY 5
Look, he tried. Wasn’t effective in attack despite producing one of the greatest individual efforts in Origin history in game two. He desperately needed Burton (or someone) outside of him to take the pressure off but the Blues just could not have any cohesion in attack. Cleary’s kicking game wasn’t great, but he wasn’t given much of a platform to work off either.
Sure, he scored the Blues’ first try, but Jarome Luai (second from left) was a liability in defence all game – especially when Kalyn Ponga was running at him
JAKE TRBOJEVIC 7.5
He isn’t what you’d call a matchwinner, but he just never stopped trying. Didn’t make a mistake in attack or defence and just such an honest customer. Forty-four tackles for the big fella.
APISAI KOROISAU 6.5
Was at his crafty best in the first half, steering the team around well and laying on a few great balls but also made a couple of crucial errors. Certainly not the worst on the day.
JUNIOR PAULO 7
Made huge metres (80) in the opening 20 minutes when they were almost impossible to come by for anyone else. Gave the Blues forward pack huge momentum that his teammates couldn’t quite capitalise on, and shows what he can achieve when he doesn’t try too hard with his ball-playing. Perhaps NSW’s best forward.
CAMERON MURRAY 1
Head injury in the opening moments cruelled his chance at having a big say in the result. Another worrying head knock for the Rabbitoh.
LIAM MARTIN 6.5
Put on plenty of pressure in defence and was at his ‘grubby’ best. Solid, if unspectacular.
ISAAH YEO 6.5
Tradesman-like performance by the boy from Dubbo. Was always the defender covering his teammates after their mistakes and made a few crucial rundown tackles. A couple of good tackle breaks but you would have loved to see Cleary give him more of a chance to display his ball-playing ability.
DAMIEN COOK 5
Went on in the 53rd minute but Blues fans weren’t able to see his running game on display – which was probably indicative of the haphazard and disorganized manner of the NSW attack. He’s lost his Australia jumper to Grant you’d assume.
ANGUS CRICHTON 6
An early introduction after Murray went off, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He played through the middle primarily, instead of the edge, and got through a mountain of work as well as a few handy offloads. Will be disappointed by a couple of errors but tried hard.
Isaah Yeo covered up his teammates’ mistakes in defence but wasn’t able to live up to his usual lofty standards with the ball in hand
JACOB SAIFITI 7
Picked up the momentum Paulo generated when he went on, and beat three players close to the line to score NSW’s first try. In just eight minutes he’d had 60m and despite an ill-timed error he well and truly justified his selection after finishing up with 137m and a linebreak in 38 minutes.
SIOSIFA TALAKAI 5
Came on like a bull at a gate and injected some great energy, but his lack of experience and finesse at this level became apparent the more the game went on. He isn’t a prop, and didn’t look like it. Strange selection on the bench and errors were costly, but did at least show a bit of enthusiasm, unlike many of his teammates.
QUEENSLAND
KALYN PONGA 9
Was a threat every time he ran the ball – and the Newcastle custodian ran the ball a lot. Split the Blues defensive line at will with a staggering 17 tackle breaks and three line breaks. Nearly set up a memorable try for Daly Cherry-Evans before finally breaking the NSW backs with his 62nd-minute try. Not a single missed tackle and survived being taken out hard by Matt Burton. As close to a perfect game as you will get in this arena.
SELWYN COBBO 1
Got his head in the wrong spot trying to lay a big tackle on Matt Burton and was taken out by friendly fire when he collided with Patrick Carrigan’s hip. Was taken from the field on a medicab after just three minutes of play.
VALENTINE HOLMES 8
Rarely puts a foot out of place in Origin and was hugely involved again with the opening try, a solid night with the boot, plenty of tough carries and eight tackle breaks to take the pressure off the forward pack. Will be pressing hard to reclaim his place in the Kangaroos side at the World Cup.
With 17 tackle breaks and a crucial try, Kalyn Ponga made life miserable for the Blues in an awesome display
DANE GAGAI 3
Was under pressure to keep his spot after making missing tackles a hobby in the opening two games. Tightened it up for game III at Lang Park but lost his marbles in the second half with a push and a punch on Matt Burton that potentially cost his team a try and landed him in the sin bin. Is this the end for a great Queensland warrior?
COREY OATES 5
Solid without being remarkable after being re-called for Murray Taulagi who was scratched because of Covid. Did his job on the edge but didn’t receive an awful lot of ball. He did clock up 141 running metres which his forwards would have appreciated.
TOM DEARDEN 7.5
A beautiful pass to lay on the first try of the game for his Cowboys teammate Valentine Holmes. Unlucky to have not laid on the second with a line-ball forward pass call. Ran faster than anyone else on the field, tackled his heart out and showed he will play many more Origin games in the future.
DALY CHERRY-EVANS 6
His long kicking game had NSW running from off their own goal line most of the night, expertly sucking the energy out of them until there was nothing left. Stuck his neck out to defend Gagai when the punches started flying and was overall a solid captain for the Maroons. Does lose a mark or two for some sloppy reads in defence.
Anyone who thought Tom Dearden (right) would be the weak link for Queensland as he filled in for Cameron Munster was proved dead wrong
LINDSAY COLLINS 1
It was mere seconds after Cobbo was taken from the field when Queensland lost their second player. Collins took a hit to the head from Daniel Tupou’s knee trying to effect a legs tackle and failed his HIA, leaving Queensland reeling.
BEN HUNT 8
A huge 40/20 kick midway through the second half quickly put the Blues on the back foot. Tough as teak all game and raced away to score the match-winning try and secure a memorable Origin win against the odds after losing two players early.
JOSH PAPALII 7
The big fella has only been used as an impact player this series but was asked for much more in the absence of Cobbo and Collins. He answered the call admirably. Although time is catching up with him, he was willing, tough and no doubt exhausted but kept turning up for his mates.
KURT CAPEWELL 6
His try just before halftime proved to be enormous. NSW had most of the running at that point and keeping his side in touch was just the tonic. A great option to have up your sleeve when injuries hit and did fine in the centres, although his numbers dipped because he saw less ball. Solid night.
JEREMIAH NANAI 6
This was his first starting appearance for Queensland and it was a bit of a mixed bag, but it has to be remembered he is just a teenager that has barely cut his teeth in the NRL, let alone Origin. When he can balance his enthusiasm and choosing the right moments, he will be a savage for the Maroons in the back row. Another step forward in his rising career.
PATRICK CARRIGAN 8
Hard to praise this bloke any more. You knew as soon as Collins left the field that the former Broncos skipper would be the man to aim up. And aim up he did, leading all forwards in run metres and playing almost 70 gut-busting minutes. His stature defies his age and Carrigan will be an inspirational player for Queensland for many years to come.
HARRY GRANT 6.5
Crafty, scheming and most importantly, tough. Bashed his way over the fatiguing NSW defence for the try that seemed to have sealed the result in the 68th minute, but was ruled to have been held up. He is breathing down the neck of Damien Cook for the Kangaroos jersey and the changing of the guard has to be coming soon.
You can put your house on Patrick Carrigan being a fixture in Maroons teams for years – the young Bronco had as good a series as any player
JAI ARROW 5.5
Much improved from a lacklustre game two and justified holding onto his spot. Did his job, made his tackles, played big minutes and generally did everything a bench forward should do at Origin level.
TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI 7
One of the toughest forwards on the paddock but loses a mark for a few brain snaps. Lucky to have stayed on the pitch after whacking Burton in the head in the first half and then putting him in a choker hold after Gagai rattled him with a punch in the second half. But it just shows how tough this bloke is, Artie Beetson would call him a ripper.
TOM GILBERT 5
When Cobbo came off, Capewell moved to the centres and Gilbert came on. He played the rest of the game, 78 minutes, which is highly respectful on debut. Should have gone looking for the ball more, though, and only managed eight runs for 41 metres. Still, a more than solid debut and another young player we will be seeing a lot more of.