Brett McKay and Ryan O’Connell are back in the Cheap Seats for their much-anticipated State of Origin Game 2 Special.
Recorded in the aftermath of Queensland’s comprehensive 26-6 victory in Brisbane, the boys give their view on the big plays in the game, the major talking points, and a complete set of player ratings for both teams.
Game 2 Special talking points:
• Superb games from the Queensland big guns;
• A disappointing night for the NSW playmakers;
• The reaction to four men being sin-binned;
• But no love for Ashley Harrison.
Summary of player scores is below, detailed explanation is contained in the podcast, and expected debate welcome in comments below.
The Roar Origin 2 Special: Player Rankings
Queensland Maroons
Billy Slater
Brett 8; Ryan 7
Darius Boyd
BM 7; ROC 7
Greg Inglis
BM 8; ROC 8
Justin Hodges
BM 7; ROC 8
Brent Tate
BM 8; ROC 8
Johnathan Thurston
BM 9; ROC 9
Cooper Cronk
BM 8; ROC 9
Matt Scott
BM 8; ROC 9
Cameron Smith
BM 8; ROC 9
Nate Myles
BM 8; ROC 8
Chris McQueen
BM 7; ROC 6
Sam Thaiday
BM 7; ROC 7
Corey Parker
BM 9*; ROC 10
Bench:
Daly Cherry-Evans
BM 7; ROC 7
Ben Te’o
BM 7; ROC 7
Matt Gillett
BM 8; ROC 7
Josh Papali’i
BM 7; ROC 7
New South Wales Blues:
Josh Dugan
BM 6; ROC 5
Brett Morris
BM 5; ROC 5
Michael Jennings
BM 5; ROC 6
Josh Morris
BM 5; ROC 4
Nathan Merritt
BM 4; ROC 2
James Maloney
BM 6; ROC 5
Mitchell Pearce
BM 5; ROC 5
Paul Gallen
BM 7; ROC 8
Robbie Farah
BM 8; ROC 7
Aaron Woods
BM 5; ROC 6
Luke Lewis
BM 8; ROC 8
Ryan Hoffman
BM 7; ROC 6
Greg Bird
BM 7; ROC 5
Bench:
Andrew Fafita
BM 8; ROC 8
Trent Merrin
BM 6; ROC 2
Josh Reynolds
BM 7; ROC 5
Anthony Watmough
BM 6; ROC 6
mushi
Guest
Um that pass at the start of the first half that went over the sideline was because boyd had over run a set piece. He was give far more opportunities than he finished
mushi
Guest
But he also failed to do a wingers job twice...
Bill Larkin
Guest
Tate was a real eye-opener for me. Before the game I thought he was selected on reputation only and his best was well behind him. He was terrific last night and worthy of his high rating.
Dingobob
Guest
Heavy strapping on his knee would indicate a bit of an issue for Slater. Hope he comes good for the last game.
Brett McKay
Expert
Well given I gave 7 others higher rankings, it's fair to say I don't share that view..
Mal
Guest
Haha well said!
Renegade
Guest
Dugan was a significant downgrade from Hayne....he did ok, nothing great. Fifita, Gallen, Merrin, Bird, Lewis were all much better than he was last night.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
He was at the end of a few good balls from Cronk, but we are just used to him scoring from those plays all the time. Hopefully he can play better for Game 3 but I fear he might never regain that fearsome pace again.
Bulldog
Guest
Agree he took a few bad options but I am not sure anyone else for NSW was better.
Brett McKay
Expert
The standard of refereeing over the last 18 months suggests otherwise, Carlos...
Brett McKay
Expert
I can't agree Dugan was NSW's best Bulldog. Made too many unforced errors and took bad options, for mine. He did run well though..
Carlos
Guest
The refereeing needs to be addressed. Sure as you say QLD were the better team, but when your being penalised for things your opponent isn't and your being penalised for things that aren't penalties and you cant get off your line because your opponents arn't being kept square at marker or being kept back the ten, your going to struggle. NSW did well to be only down 14 at half time. Then the farce of the double binning. Merrin should have been sent off. That was a simple decision AFL doesn't have this issue with its umpires, league is a simple game surely the NRL can find some refs up to the task.
Bulldog
Guest
You guys are a bit tough on Dugan. I thought he played pretty well and was probably NSW best. Gallen is a good player but he is a grub and they should replace him as captain...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Josh Reynolds isn't a dummy-half. He should have been picked at 5/8 and left there for the rest of the match. When he started playing his own game, he played well. He took on the line and looked willing. I was half expecting him to chip kick or something creative like that. I'm a big fan of him. Good luck to the guy.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
I think the right call was made on Harrison. He looked a passenger in game 3 last year as well. Gillett had his best origin game, Parker keeps improving, Cherry Evans looked comfortable out there, Teo was solid, McQueen quite but no mistakes, and Papali is still very young but already a monster. Give him a couple of years and he will be killing it. If Dave Taylor ever gets his act together, it will be a fearsome forward pack in a few years with the likes of Josh McGuire, Hannant as the veteran etc to come in when the olders retire or lose form
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Trent from Punchy is a chump and should be dumped, but to be fair, he did split Tate's cheek.
Ryan O'Connell
Guest
He did a wingers job and crossed the line, so I guess you could say he filled his role, but I know what you mean. I mention in the podcast that it can be hard to rate wingers in rugby league, due to their somewhat limited responsibilities. Having said that, it was pretty easy to rate Merritt . . .
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I gave him a 5, and in the heat of post-Origin Blues, and a couple of beers, I took 3 points off him for the cheap shot.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
He hasn't looked himself, but as I say in the podcast, he's a victim of his own high standards. He was good last night without being great.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I don't disagree.