The NSW Blues hit back in State of Origin 2011 game two last night, squaring the series at one-all in a complete team performance. After many question marks were raised over the selection of the team, they answered their critics in the best possible fashion.
Anthony Minichello
Absolutely brilliant. His defensive positioning was outstanding (as predicted by yours truly), and his attacking was just as impressive (as not predicted by yours truly).
His fantastic night was punctuated by his closing try, and he should retain the number 1 jersey regardless of Dugan’s fitness.
Rating: 9
Jarryd Hayne
Sometimes you have to actually be at the game to witness the impact a player has. Whilst many fans will mistakenly believe Hayne lacked impact because he didn’t have any eye-catching runs, the truth is he was brilliant.
His communication with Minichello defused a few sticky moments which may not have been evident on TV, and he played like a extra forward with his bruising hit-ups, allowing his forwards a rest.
Rating: 7.5
Mark Gasnier
Was more threatening in attack than game one, and gave his winger some space and opportunities. Still came up with the odd mistake though. However, once again defended closer to the middle of the park to allow Soward to play in the centres, and was excellent in that area.
Rating: 6.5
Will Hopoate
Scored a brilliant athletic try, and looked totally at ease defending in the centres, before he left early due to injury. Shame he’ll be lost to Origin for two years, because he’s not a star of the future, he’s a star of the present.
Rating: 7
Akuila Uate
Looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, and like Hayne, acted like a extra forward with his bustling runs.
Rating: 7
Jamie Soward
Kicking game early was nothing short of atrocious, but he recovered spectacularly. Challenged the line early and often, and it resulted in the defining Minichello try. His defence was also brilliant.
Rating: 8.5
Mitchell Pearce
Like Soward, his kicking early in the game left a little to be desired, but once he settled he was magnificent. His defence was amazing, putting big hits on Queensland’s forwards several times, along with laying on NSW’s first try.
Rating: 8
Greg Bird
Lacked the impact and influence that he did in game one, and also allowed Queensland first try, but was otherwise very solid in all aspects of the game.
Rating: 6.5
Ben Creagh
Kept on running the same lines off his halves, and kept on making unspectacular but crucial meters, along with being solid in defence.
Rating: 6.5
Beau Scott
He was absolutely knackered after ten minutes, and I’m not sure what was more surprising, the fact Queensland didn’t notice, or the fact Ricky Stuart didn’t. Was inspirational, and his defensive combination with Dragon’s teammates Soward and Gasnier kept Queensland’s left side attack in check.
Rating: 7
Paul Gallen (c)
Wow. What a game. Led from the front, and made everyone who mocked his selection at prop look like a complete clown. Without question, the best player on the park.
Rating: 9.5
Michael Ennis
Still frustrates NSW fans with his time bomb-like behaviour. Always tippy toes close to the line, and was at his niggly best, particularly to Sam Thaiday. Needs to watch footage of Cameron Smith’s dummy half play, though he did attack the line more in game two.
Rating: 6
Tim Mannah
Ran hard and strong. Tackled hard and strong. What more do you want from your starting prop?
Rating: 7
Interchange:
Trent Merrin
Struggled for impact once again.
Rating: 4
Kurt Gidley
Outstanding off the bench, and was more effective at dummy-half than frontline hooker Michael Ennis was. Constantly threatening in attack, and showed his versatility by playing in the centres when Hopoate got injured.
Rating: 8
Luke Lewis
Breath-takingly brilliant. Scored a try five seconds after coming on the field, and his night stayed on a high from then onwards. Fantastic in defence, and just what the Blues required off the bench: a spark.
Rating: 9
Anthony Watmough
Constantly broke Queensland’s defensive line with his low-to-the-ground power runs. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: this guy is made for Origin. He was a thorn in Queensland’s side all night long.
Rating: 8
Charles
Guest
In the first Game they got it wrong. In the second they improved by bringing in more experienced players. In the third game they need to strenghten yet again. I would put Giddley in for the full game at hooker and get rid of Ennis. Hayne in the centres, Lewis at lock, also for the full game. I would bring in Tom Learoyd-Lahrs for Merrin and Ryan Hincliffe for Ennis he can play in a number of positions.
Dave
Guest
I agree ! Lose Merrin. With Hoppa out will Jennings be back? Otherwise, no other changes needed!
Richard_P
Guest
Congratulations the Blues what an outstanding performance. Paul Gallen was magnificent led the team up front and never stopped all night it was one of the best performance of any player in origin history. QLD were brave but just not up to it i, thought the scoreline flattered them a bit,forwards were running on slow legs towards the back half of the second half, Sticky Stuart recognised that and picked a mobile pack which proved a master stroke. I can hear the moans coming form the north of the border already a typical response from that mob, claiming high hits but they were giving as goood as they got, 2 weeks ago there was deafiing silence from up there when the referee blatanly ruled in their favour 3 times, QLD are all good at winning but when the shoe is n the other foot they are sore losers. Looking forward to Game 3 up there just hope the refereeing doesn't decide the outcome and favour the sooks from up north. Anyway go the BLUES
Willy
Guest
Of course they'll pick the same team - be mad not to. Hopefully Ennis will get injured in the meantime and Ricky has an excuse to get rid of him. The bloke has the ability to lose the game - and series - for NSW. He has shown that in the past three games he has played.
shane
Roar Guru
I can't fathom why we are turning on a winning team. Gidley was good yes, but he was good because he came on after 20. Ennis did his job, he may not have been amazing but he did what he needed to do. Gidley then was able to come on to do his. It's a bloody team game. Not only did we win, we beat QLD at their own game. That was the first time in years where QLD were never really in the hunt. Even when NSW were down 8 nil you still had the feeling the Blues were on top. Take the win, take the entire squad involved in game 2 and lets back the lads to go to QLD and win the series. Not spend the next few weeks talking about who should be dropped. You people are kidding yourselves.
Peter_M
Guest
I thought Uate was better than Hayne as was Hopoate but having said that he still played well. Agree with the other ratings and agree we need to get rid of Ennis. Really goes to show you that there are no specialist positions in rugby league anymore. Just put the 13 best players we have out there. As you say Gidley was way better than Ennis and Hayne played fine on the wing.
AT
Guest
Give Gal a 20! Herculean effort!
matty119
Roar Rookie
To be honest, I don't know how you can score Hayne ahead of Uate. Hayne may have communicated well with Minichiello, but he rarely got to the ball on the full, and in these games he needs to get himself involved in the game, something which he definitely did not do in this game. He has the ability to win NSW the game, and the series, but not if he doesn't get his hands on the ball. Uate on the other hand was in the game at all points. He came in and took pressure off the forwards, taking hit-ups and bending the line back every time.
josho
Guest
This was one of the gutsiest wins I've ever seen. The whole team HAS to be picked again with one exception, Kade Snowden in for Trent Merrin. Merrin lacks impact and Snowden, according to Stuart, was dropped only due to injury.
shane
Roar Guru
These ratings are a catastrophe Beau Scott rating only 7. What game were you watching? Top the tackle count for the Blues. Made nearly 100 meters with the ball. Played 80 minutes. Trent Merrin struggled to make an impact AGAIN. Yeah sure butt hat is only due to playing min minutes. Did make 15 tackles in the short time he was out there. BUT THE BIGGEST FAIL WITH THESE RATINGS IS Gallen getting a 9.5 and Lewis getting a 9. Don't get me wrong Lewis was awesome off the bench but how he rated so close to Gallen is staggering. If Gallen was given 15 out of 10 then sure, I could have understood the rating for Lewis.
M1tch
Roar Guru
What a game, Gallen in front row was one of the best ever individual games..I love Uate every time he takes the ball he runs with so much effort, Hopoate was great, Lewis lets find a starting spot for him!
Cheese
Guest
Lewis was sensational. So was Gallen. They had perfect games.
Damo
Guest
I hate him but you should have given Gallen a 10
Willy
Guest
Michael Ennis should get a negative score - he's a liability. When is he going to learn that giving away stupid penalties is simply not on at Origin level? His high tackle (stupid) led to the Queensland try, and then his penalty for taking out Slater under a bomb (really stupid) gave them the opportunity to win the game. That's without mentioning that his penalty for punching in Game 3 last season gave Queensland the possession and field position to win that game. Honestly - he should have his card marked "Never To Play Origin Again". A total liability.