Related coverage
The Queensland Maroons forward pack dominated State of Origin game one, but the return encounter in Sydney last night saw a complete role reversal as the NSW Blues ran riot over their northern neighbours. There is no point panicking after one game, but I’m sure the Maroons won’t enjoy their individual player ratings.
Billy Slater
Made one memorable run early in the second half, and was always a threat, with NSW giving him plenty of counter-attack opportunities in the first 30 minutes. Fantastic, as usual, under the high ball, apart from one second half mistake.
Rating: 7
Jharal Yow Yeh
Didn’t see a lot of ball, and was caught out in defence on at least two occasions.
Rating: 4
Greg Inglis
Still looks short of a gallop, and is certainly nowhere near his best form, but in an ominous sign for the Blues for game 3, he looked to be returning to his devastating best. I do wonder if a move to the backrow is on the cards for his career soon?
Rating: 7
Dane Neilsen
Queensland didn’t utilise their left side attack very much, and Neilsen was out of position a few times defensively.
Rating: 4
Darius Boyd
Completely forgot that attempting to smash Gasnier might not always be what’s best for the Maroons’. His ego therefore allowed Uate to run free on several occasions, and whilst he supported his fullback well on NSW’s kicks, Queensland would have been looking for more from Boyd.
Rating: 4
Darren Lockyer (c)
Was at the centre of most of Queensland’s attack opportunities, but they were few and far between. The Origin legend will be hoping his forwards improve in game three.
Rating: 6
Johnathan Thurston
It was far from JT’s best game for Queensland. Was under constant pressure from NSW’s numerous backrowers, and seemed to get flustered.
Rating: 5
Ashley Harrison
Whilst we’re somewhat use to not noticing Harrison, it’s normally because he’s underrated, as opposed to him lacking impact. But he was almost non-existent last night.
Rating: 3
Sam Thaiday
Ran and tackled with gusto, but appeared frustrated that NSW played with the passion and energy usually reserved for the Brisbane backrower. Also fell for the most obvious trick in NSW’s arsenal: Ennis’ baiting.
Rating: 6.5
Nate Myles
Whilst there was no word from the Roosters or the Maroons, Myles looked to be carrying an injury. If he wasn’t, he should have said he was. At least then he would have an excuse.
Rating: 4
Matt Scott
Didn’t dominate like game one, and seemed to struggle with the pace of the game.
Rating: 5
Cameron Smith
Absolutely outstanding in a losing side. His dummy-half play was exceptional and his defence rock solid. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a better number 9 in rugby league.
Rating: 9
Petero Civoniceva
See Matt Scott.
Rating: 5
Interchange:
Cooper Cronk
An x-factor in game one, he was a non-factor in game two, despite seeing early action. Whilst the four-pronged kicking option worked a treat in game one, Cronk looked lost and without a role in game two.
Ranking: 4
Corey Parker
I struggle to remember Parker doing anything of note in attack, though he made a few tackles. Otherwise, a forgetful game.
Ranking: 4
Ben Hannant
Was he playing?
Rating: 3
David Taylor
Made a barn-storming run with his first touch, just seconds after coming onto the field. When he made another one minutes later, it seemed the Blues were in for a long, bruising night trying to defend the big unit. However, he didn’t sustain that level of impact.
Rating: 6.5
Recommend this story.
Follow Ryan O'Connell on Twitter: @RyanOak
The Turkey 10
The Turkey 10 teams have now been selected, as Wild Turkey Bourbon's sport sponsorship kicks into the next exciting phase.
Choose which side you're going to support and get in the running to win $2,500!
Simply visit Wild Turkey Australia on Facebook for your chance to win.
Find out more.
June 16th 2011 @ 8:28am
Damo said | June 16th 2011 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Keep those player ratings handy because all 17 of them will go up by 5 points each in the decider!
We just wanted to make game 3 interesting!
June 16th 2011 @ 8:57am
oikee said | June 16th 2011 @ 8:57am | Report comment
Nat Myles 4, your having a laugh. Thurston had to make more tackles than normal.
Harrison worked all nite.
The boys did fine, proud of the lot of them.
June 16th 2011 @ 10:18am
Ryan O'Connell said | June 16th 2011 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Oikee, you should be proud of them. They didn’t play well, but they tried all night long.
But fairs fair, mate. Thurston stunk, Harrison did nothing, and Myles looked like he was playing on one leg.
June 16th 2011 @ 10:15am
AGO74 said | June 16th 2011 @ 10:15am | Report comment
I think you made a mistake. Nate Myles should have got the 7 and Greg Inglis should have got the 4.
June 16th 2011 @ 10:19am
Ryan O'Connell said | June 16th 2011 @ 10:19am | Report comment
AGO74, I just copped it from a mate on text saying I must have been drunk if I thought Inglis deserved a 7.
June 16th 2011 @ 10:30am
Ryan said | June 16th 2011 @ 10:30am | Report comment
I think you’re mates right, Inglis is an overrataed bum, he has a blinder once every 2 months. Validates my theory that when a somewhat decent player pulls on a Souths jersey they start playing like a busted…………..
June 16th 2011 @ 10:40am
Peter_M said | June 16th 2011 @ 10:40am | Report comment
Yeah don’t think Inglis deserved a 7 (maybe a 5) but he was still way better than Yow Yeh. He was absolutely hopeless I would have gien him a 2. Hope they keep him in for game three!
Slater and Cam Smith were the only two that looked dangerous all night.
June 16th 2011 @ 11:06am
Stu said | June 16th 2011 @ 11:06am | Report comment
Harrison made two potentially game changing errors. The knock on 2 meters from the NSW line where they were on the ropes. Then the forward pass inside our own half when we were in trouble.
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download The Roar’s iPhone App in the App Store here.
June 16th 2011 @ 12:58pm
Adrien2166 said | June 16th 2011 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
Cameron Smith is a genius. He definitely changed the way hookers play in RL. I think he is on of the greatest player of all time.
June 16th 2011 @ 4:09pm
Willy said | June 16th 2011 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
Cameron Smith isn’t even the best hooker in the NRL at the moment, let alone of all time.
June 16th 2011 @ 4:20pm
Gruff said | June 16th 2011 @ 4:20pm | Report comment
That comment is laughable. But probably not as laughable as your answer to the question of who is the best hooker in the nrl at the moment. So who is it then?
June 16th 2011 @ 6:43pm
Maroon Blood of WA said | June 16th 2011 @ 6:43pm | Report comment
If you listened to the Ch 9 commentary, Thurston made bucket loads of metres in attack. Did anyone else notice Rabbits call Thaiday “Thurston” at least three times??
June 17th 2011 @ 9:45pm
Glenn said | June 17th 2011 @ 9:45pm | Report comment
I heard it quite a few times.
June 18th 2011 @ 8:10am
ilikelollies said | June 18th 2011 @ 8:10am | Report comment
Inglis was easily Queensland most dangerous, Billy Slater was poor and Sam Thaiday was woeful