While the first half was tinged heavily blue, the second was awash with Maroon. The Cockroaches may have got the best of the first half, but the Cane Toads came home in the second in all-too-familiar fashion for NSW supporters.
Here are the player ratings for the Queensland Maroons.
Click here for the NSW ratings.
Full State of Origin 1 wrap:
>> ORIGIN 1 MATCH REPORT
>> FULL ORIGIN RESULTS
>> Live blog and highlights
>> Cameron Smith awarded man of the match
Billy Slater 7
Even when fit, firing and winning Dally Ms, premierships and Golden Boots, Billy Slater has had to endure speculation surrounding his place in representative sides due to the presence of Greg Inglis.
This year, with Slater missing the Anzac Test and a bunch of footy for the Storm, many suggested Slater’s time in the No. 1 jersey was over.
But, as usual, Billy silenced the critics, making few errors and throwing the crucial last pass for Will Chambers’ second-half try.
Darius Boyd 4.5
Boyd too has missed plenty of football this season. He did come up with a crucial error, but overall repaid Big Mal’s faith.
Justin Hodges 7
Ever cheeky, the Maroons managed to staple Hodgo’s hamstrings together and get him onto the paddock for what will be his last Origin game at ANZ.
The retiring Hodges – while still looking as fast as treacle – ran for 176 metres and created plenty of doubt down the right side.
He also pulled off what could have been the biggest play of the match, taking out Robbie Farah with a backslam in the first half. The play was ruled legal and Farah was relegated to defensive duties
Greg Inglis 6
Music to the ears of those south of the border (like Greg’s family and schoolmates), but it has been a few Origin games since Inglis put in one of the dominant performances he is known for.
While this could be a combination of having set himself high standards and being marked by the pesky Josh Morris, if he was playing for the Blues the press would say he had been selected out of position.
His bad read led directly to Beau Scott’s try – probably because he only plays around four games per year at centre.
Will Chambers 8
The Northern Territorian has been in sparkling form for the Storm this season, and carried it into the Origin arena. Chambers scored a crucial try – his first in Origin – to draw the Maroons level in the second half.
He ran for 228 metres – the most of any player in the game – and looked strong whenever he was called upon. He was given the man of the match award by Triple M – a rare treat for a winger.
Johnathan Thurston 7
By his own standards Thurston had a quiet night, but was there when needed. A clever kicking game as well as some classy off-the-ball work in the first half in the Cronk try, JT also showed his strength in defence with a mammoth hit on self-proclaimed Thurston hunter Beau Scott.
Cooper Cronk 8.5
Cronketh the Hour, Cronketh the man. His first-half try was pure Melbourne, and his second-half field goal was pure Coops.
The telling moment in the match? When Queensland needed someone, Cronk delivered. When NSW needed someone, they didn’t have anyone to turn to.
Can’t wait to see what he writes about that on his website.
Matt Scott 8
The angry, fully grown baby put in exactly what was required from him, eating metres and making tackles. May not have bent the line as much as in previous matches, but didn’t disappoint any of the 190 people (or the 460,000 sheep) watching back home in Ilfracombe.
Cam Smith 8 (c)
While Cam Smith won the official man of the match award – his fifth in Origin history – he was mysteriously forgotten by Origin legend Wally Lewis, who in the first half called Robbie Farah “the best dummy half in the game”.
Was cool, calm and collected for the Maroons, throwing the last pass for the Cronk try and generally steering his troops around the paddock.
What NSW would give to have a spare Cam Smith lying around.
Nate Myles 7.5
Myles always seems to grow another leg (and an inch or so of forehead) come Origin time. He put in plenty of hard work in the middle, and without Frenemy Paul Gallen was able to concentrate enough not to get in trouble.
Aidan Guerra 6
We have seen him run more at club level. Guerra would be disappointed that he didn’t see more ball, but did almost manage to burrow over for a try.
Sam Thaiday 6.5
While Slammin’ Sam is selected for his rampaging runs, he also brings plenty to the team off the ball (no third-man in jokes, please). His enthusiasm and willingness to support his teammates – particularly in fights they start (sorry) – always sees him as one of the Maroons’ most important.
Corey Parker 7
A Corey Parker-like performance from Corey Parker. 113 metres, 29 tackles and plenty of effort (plus plenty of fantasy points, I am sure). The Silver Fox may have cemented his Origin position later in life, but he has established himself as a key part of the Maroons forward pack – along with being the most sensible person out there.
Interchange
Michael Morgan 5
Utility Morgan was there more as injury cover, but didn’t disappoint during his limited opportunities.
Josh McGuire 5.5
Wasn’t given that much ball, but definitely looked the scariest man on the park for the Maroons.
Matt Gillett 4
Along with the rest of the Maroons bench, Gillett wasn’t called upon as injury cover and could instead only chime in with a few carries.
Jacob Lillyman 5
For the man with the biggest shoulders in rugby league, we were left with precious few hits from Lillyman.
Coach: Big Mal Meninga 8
Big Mal pulled it off again, showing the Cockroaches – along with the rats and filth – exactly who is boss in the Origin arena.
While Big Mal looks more and more like an actual cane toad each year, his faith and loyalty in his side has paid off.
Coach Cam! Meninga after Chambers Try: http://t.co/DB9wCPLQeP #Origin #WWOS pic.twitter.com/LdNOJeVtm9
— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) May 27, 2015
Total: 118.5 (NSW 112)
Honourable Mention: Wally ‘Cameron Who?’ Lewis 4
The best Origin player ever somehow strangely hasn’t become the best Origin commentator ever. His first-half assessment of Robbie Farah as the best dummy half in the game was met with confusion by everyone else in the commentary box – and disagreeing with the statement was probably the only thing people north and south of the border could agree upon on Wednesday night.
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