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The Queensland Maroons have won Game 2 in State of Origin, wrapping up the series in straight sets with a sweep on the mind when the teams return to Sydney in a few weeks’ time.
It was another hard fought win for the Maroons, although a far cry from the dour 6-4 win in Game 1.
More from Origin Game 2
» Game 2: Queensland seal the series
» State of Origin results
» Re-live the action with our live blog
» Swing the axe, Laurie – NSW cleanout must start immediately
» Origin 2 in pictures
» Five talking points from Origin 2
» NSW need to find their Origin identity
» State of Origin Game 2 player ratings: NSW
Their creative players were able to rise to the fore this time, setting up some superb tries with Dane Gagai grabbing a hat-trick on the right edge.
Here’s how the players rated.
1. Darius Boyd – 8
Backing up an incredible performance in Game 1, Boyd was once again brilliant in both attack and defence for the Maroons. He had a leading hand in one of Gagai’s tries and also picked up nearly 90 metres.
2. Corey Oates – 5
Oates seemed to struggle to inject himself into the game from the wing. Despite all the Maroons’ attacks down the left edge in the first half, the ball rarely found itself going that wide. He still had some good kick returns, and scored the match-sealing try, which has to count for something.
3. Greg Inglis – 7
Inglis would have got a higher mark – but it’s hard to say he didn’t blow a few try-scoring opportunities. It almost seems he was so confident in his ability to brush off Dylan Walker that he ignored Oates for much of the game. Either way he made 141 metres and did plenty of damage on the ball.
4. Justin O’Neill – 5
Didn’t have a lot of opportunity to do much, but didn’t disappoint when he did.
5. Dane Gagai – 8
Scoring a hat-trick in Origin must feel pretty good right? Just ask Gagai who was the beneficiary of some good inside work. He also had a great performance under the high ball and ran it strongly.
6. Johnathan Thurston – 9
What can we say about the greatness of this man? From general play kicking, to always picking the right option, to his passing game and his goal-kicking. Everything is just brilliant.
7. Cooper Cronk – 6
The Melbourne Storm half sort of let Thurston take over here. He popped up when needed, coming up with some fantastic plays on the right edge, but certainly wasn’t a dominant force in the game.
8. Matt Scott – 7
It might have been a slightly quieter performance for quite arguably the world’s best front rower but he was still strong and looked dangerous plenty of times, wheeling the Maroons out of their own end with some strong runs.
9. Cameron Smith – 8.5
The Australian captain continues to show his greatness and was voted man of the match. Was selective about when he ran the ball and made each one count, did a stack of work on defence and put in a few very solid kicks from dummy half.
10. Josh McGuire – 6
Started the game really strongly, before falling away in the back end. Still, he looked to run the ball hard whenever he got his hands on it, earning 117 metres.
11. Matthew Gillett – 7
Like fullback Boyd, Gillett backed up his Game 1 performance with another strong effort. He did the hard yards, was involved in a few threatening plays and held his own on defence.
12. Sam Thaiday – 4
Thaiday’s biggest role on the Origin series might have been his comments about how tough the Game 1 win was. Struggled to get going, but still had a couple of solid runs here and there.
13. Corey Parker – 7
It was the final Origin game at Suncorp Stadium for the Broncos captain, and it was another elite performance. He came up with offload after offload and he ended the game with 151 metres from 16 runs. Superb effort.
14. Michael Morgan – 5
Had a few high-quality touches, but struggled to find the room that he needed to operate effectively down the left edge. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes a starting half for the Maroons though, so the experience is vital.
15. Jacob Lillyman – 6
The New Zealand Warriors front-rower had a job to do, replacing Nate Myles in the side and he did that and then some coming off the bench. He was solid running the ball and did his job in the defensive line.
16. Aidan Guerra – 4
Only saw 25 minutes of action, and it simply wasn’t enough time to do anything of note. Four runs for 37 metres and very little else.
17. Josh Papalii – 7.5
Was one of Queensland’s best forwards, if not the best coming off the bench. Was an absolute threat every time he touched the ball, bursting tackles, breaking the line and making a lot of metres. In fact, he ended with 137.
Roarers, how did you see the Maroons in their series-clinching Game 2 win?
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde