Queensland – with a little help from Jarryd Hayne, Mitchell Pearce and a whole lotta butterflies in the Blues’ bellies – have done what they always seem to do, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-gasp 18-16 win over NSW in Game 2 of the 2017 series at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Despite NSW looking far superior at half-time, the ghosts of Maroons past spooked the Blues – while Queensland did just enough to ensure the series goes to a decider at Suncorp Stadium where the home side will be serious favourites to win.
Here are the Queensland ratings for Game 2 of the 2017 Origin series. See how the Blues rates in Game 2.
More State of Origin 2
» Queensland’s champions refuse to lose
» Match report: Maroons steal Game 2 win to force a decider
» Watch all the Origin 2 highlights
» Why the State of Origin man of the match process is broken
» WATCH: Andrew Johns blasts the Blues’ woeful second half
Billy Slater 7.5
Great positional work and a good effort not to lose his cool despite James Maloney’s shennanigans. His continual ability to catch it on the full makes it seem like he has practiced those with Mitchell Pearce all year long.
Valentine Holmes 6
A couple of dropped balls but overall a solid Maroons debut. Managed to stay inside the stripe for Queensland’s first try, although plenty of NSW fans thought they were due a square up for the dodgy call against Hayne all those years ago.
Will Chambers 6
Despite a poor read leading to a NSW try, it was an OK defensive effort for a man known for his attack.
Darius Boyd 6.5
Despite plenty of doubters and a penchant to crab across field, Boyd showed that he can hold his own anywhere in the backline – although centre is clearly not his best position. Boyd got lucky more than once when taking out a Blues attacker off the ball.
Dane Gagai 9
Roarers slammed me for not rating Gagai highly enough after the Maroons were towelled up by New South Wales in the first game of the series. They were right then and I dare say they’re right now. Gagai was probably the best cane toad on the park in Game 1, and not far from it in Game 2.
Two crucial tries and some good carries despite being put over the sideline earlier in the game.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Johnathan Thurston 8
Not his best game in Maroon, but the one-armed man came up with the crucial play at the end – kicking the conversion from close to the sideline around two metres in from where he missed the shot in the 2015 decider.
If it really is his last series, Queensland – and rugby league as a whole – will well and truly miss this man.
Cooper Cronk 7.5
Cronk rarely has a bad game, with his kicking and passing game generally perfect even if his line breaks and try assists are few.
Another one from the ‘Queensland are really gonna miss this man’ brigade.
Dylan Napa 7
What is it with Queensland and redheads? The Firey one showed that he belongs at this level.
Cameron Smith 8
Too old, too slow? Smith answered his critics from the first match, getting through a Smith-load of defence and feeding the ball to Josh Maguire for the Maroons’ second try. His pass for Gagai’s second effort was also understatedly brilliant. Pure Smith.
Jarrod Wallace 4
Did OK during the softening up period, but wasn’t around where the game truly mattered.
Gavin Cooper 6.5
Queensland’s late heroics and the worst 40 minutes of Blues football this year shouldn’t overshadow the fact that Queensland’s forwards were outplayed. Cooper was solid, not spectacular.
Matt Gillett 7
Gillett was guilty of trying to do too much, but got through plenty of work in his time on the pitch.
Josh McGuire 7.5
Did he have spiders all over him in the lead-up to Gagai’s first try? NSW seemed to think so.
Interchange
Michael Morgan 7.5
Knows how to throw a crucial flick pass, doesn’t he? Morgan didn’t have the chance to do a lot but came through when it mattered, setting up Gagai’s last-minute try like 2015 all over again.
Josh Papalii 6
One of the few Queenslanders to have played better last game around, but still did enough to get picked for Game 3.
Coen Hess 6
Hess didn’t have the barnstorming game that maybe he would’ve liked, but there are zero doubts that he belongs at this level.
Tim Glasby 5
A few poor reads in defence, but Glasby should have done enough to earn his second cap in three weeks’ time.
Total 115/170
In a close game, the Maroons’ experience was enough to topple the Blues despite the home side’s excellent late defensive effort. Roarers, how did you rate the banana benders’ efforts?
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Slater not losing his cool??? Did you see him in the backplay at all?? Did you see him stomp on Wade Graham?? One of the biggest grubs on the park with a halo for some reason. Have to agree with the kicking practice with Pearce though. Slater can read him like a book and seems to always be in the right spot.
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Your forget the Ref`s though would have scored 10`S from the Queensland point of few - how many forward passes missed/offsides and the old tackle without the ball which QLD never were penalised for in so called defending kicks- We all know how it works they wanted a game 3 decider- Ref`s channelling the departed Grasshopper I suggest
Rellum
Roar Guru
He went to hard early on and was gone by the 15 minute mark. His ankle had nothing to do with that.
Jimmmy
Guest
Just finished watching the game again. Albo you are wrong . QLD finished much stronger in the forwards than NSW. We rediscovered our rush defence. We nullified Fifita. In the last 20 Napa , Maguire , and Gillet were outstanding.. The new guys ( apart from two bad lapses early fro Glasby ) were good. In game one the NSW forwards ran at will. They certainly did not last night. Apart from Klemmer and Jackson, they were walking at the end mate. I have been smiling all day.
Craig
Guest
I had 1000 schooners I admit but Michael Morgan... just doesn't fit into this origin side for me. The flick pass was awesome and he played ok in the 50 point drubbing years ago, but never performed as I'd hoped he would in origin. Craig wing or berrigan were wonderful players and I hoped Morgan would fill this role. Perhaps he's more suited to a starting role in years to come.
Brad H
Guest
You don't think JT was all that great? He slotted 3 from 3 from all from the sideline in front of 80,000 people whom most were lunatic NSW supporters and you don't think he was great???? You must one of those NSW suporters.
Brett
Guest
You NSW folks are the biggest whingers. This is why you guys don't win, you fall apart too easy.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure Napa also rolled his ankle in the first game.
Michael Morgan
Guest
Dodgy Qld refs!!! Hasn't been a Qld ref in over 20 years you ignorant boob! Certainly wasn't a Qld ref in Game 3 last year when they penalised Qld 12 -3 - officially the most lop-sided penalty count in origin history, but even then we didn't blubber and snivel the way you blues are doing now. LOL
matth
Guest
I think because Morgan had to play longer minutes in two stints to cover Chambers, that Wallace missed out on his second run.
matth
Guest
You do know there is not a single QLD based referee in the NRL, right?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Glasby did ok with his carries. The others will be like Napa, look overwhelmed a bit in their first game, then be a a whole lot better in the next game. NSW did more than let us back into the game, they let us back into the series by letting our junior players learn how to play origin and win origin.
Paul
Guest
yeh I agree...while Thurston has played better matches, his effort with a bad shoulder was great....just his presence gave the team confidence...I hope he reconsiders and stays around for next year, even if only 1 match....to give the NSW player 'man of the match' award is an insult. Gagai was the best on the field, and deserved the honours.
Nat
Roar Guru
I thought he done enough to earn more minutes later in the game. His early defense was very stiff. Maybe that was the game plan all along from Kevvie?
Nat
Roar Guru
BAHAHAHA, NSW got as many dodgy/no calls as Qld. And what's this 'US' garbage? You have zero contribution to the team and most level headed NSW supporters would have nothing to do with your POV. LOSER!
TB
Guest
Still laughing, even harder now at the blue's whinge whining reactions. Diddums.
Albo
Guest
He did nothing, just like Hess and Glasby. The big changes made to the QLD pack for Game 2 made no difference to the dominance of the NSW forwards. They still couldn't keep up for most of the match. The only difference last night was that NSW put in error filled 2nd half unlike Game 1 , and so handed the win over to the old firm of Smith, Thurston & Co who were well down on best form themselves.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
2 Runs, 22 Metres, 22 Minutes something like that.
graham
Guest
Thought Wallace did great in laying a platform. Surprised at his low score does anyone have his stats?
TruBlu
Guest
It's true ...At least a jet engine finally stops whining, blues supporters never do,it goes on & on & on.