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Taps were bled dry from the Tweed all the way down to Albury last night as the New South Wales Blues finally ended their Origin torment with a nail-biting 6-4 win over the Maroons.
Here are the player ratings for the victors.
(And be sure to check out the Queensland player ratings.)
Jarryd Hayne – 8
While unable to reproduce the heroics of Game 1, he was still paranoia material for the Maroons. Ran for 110 metres in the first half despite a timely bout of match-eve squirts. Along with an entire state, cried tears of combined joy and abdominal discomfort at full time.
Will Hopoate – 6
Showed tidiness at the back despite a lack of front-foot ball. Toiled defiantly when down 50 per cent an arm in the second half. We’ll blame the halftime needle and say it was from Cronulla’s off-site shed.
Michael Jennings – 6
Like game one, was again starved of a hearty feed of leather but looked dangerous when given the chance. Somehow managed to control himself from jobbing Justin Hodges despite his opposite’s night of ubiquitous hyper-pest work.
Josh Dugan – 7
Prevented a spike in Laurie Daley effigy sales by playing an impressive game out of position. Was an Austrian alpine skier with his mazy runs and somehow ended the night without the foot imprints of Greg Inglis on his dial.
Daniel Tupou – 7
Made a telling carry late in the game and even got himself a split nose and some coveted Origin claret for the pool room. Despite his reputation as an aerial highlights man, has proven he can do the tough stuff in the furnace too.
Josh Reynolds – 5
Had a mixed bag of a night. Reynolds’ disjointed attacking moves were tempered with a clutch kick to force a repeat set in the last ten minutes. However, all of his troubles were forgotten the moment Johnathan Thurston gave him a kiss.
Trent Hodkinson – 6
Spent his week sipping green tea and snuggling up with ‘Grubby’ Reynolds and Robbie Farah in their Coffs hotel room. Spent the first half snuggled in behind the scrimmage. Finally ran the ball in the last ten minutes and voila, there’s the series clinching try!
Paul Gallen – 9
This man should’ve been born a Queenslander. He has got the smarts of two heads, the motor of two hearts and the stats of two men. 24 runs, 35 tackles and one long-awaited Origin title. He’s the man – as well as the man of the match.
Robbie Farah – 7
Spent the early stages stuck halfway up the bad leg of Daly Cherry-Evans and the rest of the game tackling his backside off.
Aaron Woods – 8
The Balmain Massive was simply that – massive. He had a massive opening and made some massive tracks in the second half. Did his massive chest touch the massive Queensland restart late in the game? Probably, but only because it’s so massive.
Ryan Hoffman – 7
Mr Reliable. Ran some testing lines in the gridlock of the first half and then locked down in defence when the teams got tipsy in the second. Thoroughly deserves the maiden interstate boast he’s sure to deliver to his shield-hogging Storm teammates when he returns to club duties.
Beau Scott – 6
Didn’t fire too many shots in attack but still made 29 tackles in his first game as the surprise choice for Queensland’s new target as the opposition ‘tough man.’
Greg Bird – 7
Notice how the regularity of spot-fires on a football field increases whenever Dirty Birdy straps on a boot? There’s something about this man’s presence that just compels the hasty arrangement of an undercard.
Interchange
James Tamou – 6
Was thrown in to a ruck that was like a sandpit of super-glue in the first half and wasn’t able to bring his usual heat, however showed some innovation by forearming Nate Myles in the first tackle back after oranges.
Anthony Watmough – 6
Another one of the old brigade that can finally hang up the zimmer frame now that he’s finally got one over his fiercest rival, Daly Cherry-Evans.
Trent Merrin – 6
Five runs and 11 tackles isn’t going to get you a cheque inside a flimsy envelope emblazoned with a logo, but he doesn’t care. He just won an Origin series and his girlfriend is hotter than yours.
Luke Lewis – 6
Was again given limited minutes but produced his usual fare of titanium toughness and reliability. As the only man to have tasted sweet Origin chocolate, will shine best in the post-match festivities as the only man who knows the team song.