Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin season is done and dusted, with the heavily favoured New South Wales Blues running out winners 22-12 over Queensland.
Queensland finished on the wrong side of the scoreboard, but showed plenty of spirit and fight in the loss.
Here are the player ratings for the Queensland Origin side. Click here to read the Blues ratings for Game 1.
More State of Origin 1
» State of Origin live scores, blog
» WATCH: James Tedesco scores the first Origin try of 2018
» WATCH: Valentine Holmes races away to score a crucial intercept try
» WATCH: Dislocated finger can’t stop Dane Gagai scoring an incredible try
14. Michael Morgan: 6
Solid at the back but nowhere near the quality of the man he replaced. More suited to a bench role.
2. Valentine Holmes: 7.5
Took an excellent intercept which kept his side in the game at an important moment as it had looked as if the Blues might be running away with it. Kickied two crucial goals including a sideline conversion, while his 223 running metres was only slightly below Tedesco’s man-of-the-match effort.
3. Greg Inglis: 8.5
An absolute captain’s knock from the man from Macksville. Inglis was everywhere in attack and defence for the Maroons, chiming in with crucial runs and hits in the game’s big moments.
As the only Maroon with more than ten caps for his state, Inglis showed he’s the man to lead the Maroons into their new era.
Greg Inglis of the Maroons (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
4. Will Chambers: 5.5
One of his most absent performances in recent years, the normally reliable Chambers failed to do much in attack. In defence, his ten missed tackles were the worst of anyone who took the field.
5. Dane Gagai: 6.5
Gagai has been a pillar of consistency in recent years, and was impressive in grabbing the ball and putting it down early in the second half despite a compound dislocation to his finger. Ran for 160 metres, more than any Maroons forward, but came up with two errors.
6. Cameron Munster: 5.5
Munster started strong and looked solid for the Maroons despite missing eight tackles. Lacked a bit of creative spark and needs to work on his partnership with Hunt.
7. Ben Hunt: 6.5
In his first start for the Maroons, Hunt looked at home – particularly with his pinpoint grubber for Gagai’s try. Hunt’s long kicking game kept his side well in the game.
Was found wanting up the middle in defence, but in fairness to Hunt he wasn’t the only Maroon left grasping for air by an excellent Tedesco.
8. Dylan Napa: 4
The Blues targeted the big man and caught him Napa-ing, with six mixed tackles. After running for less than 100 metres despite starting, there’s a big chance he’ll be replaced by Matt Scott or Tim Glasby for Game 2.
9. Andrew McCullough: 6.5
Like his teammates at positions 1, 6 and 7, his performance wasn’t up to the standard of the man he replaced, but he made few errors and was generally pretty quick around the ruck.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
10. Jarrod Wallace: 5
Not as poor as his fellow prop, but not much better.
11. Gavin Cooper: 6
Cooper looked less dangerous than ever on the left edge without Johnathan Thurston to run off. Came up with a match-high three errors, but his 40 tackles were essential up the middle for the Maroons.
12. Felise Kaufusi: 4
The debutant made 45 tackles but missed eight, far too many for a second rower in Origin.
13. Josh McGuire: 5
As one of the more experienced players in the line-up, coach Kevin Walters would have been expecting more from Josh McGuire. A solid but unspectacular performance.
Bench
19. Anthony Milford: 3
A surprise selection given the form of 18th man Kayln Ponga, Milford is unlikely to be selected for Game 2 – even if Billy Slater fails to return.
15. Josh Papalii: 4
Never seems to play as well when he’s not lining up against Paul Gallen. Needs a new sparring partner.
16. Coen Hess: 4
Not good enough from the man charged with taking over from Matt Scott as the future of the Maroons’ go forward.
17. Jai Arrow: 3
Arrow was largely absent in attack and defence, but was given few opportunities.
Total: 86.5/170
1. Billy Slater: 6
Didn’t play, but picked up a 6 just to show how much his team needed him. His positional play and leadership were sorely missed, and everyone in Maroon will hope his hamstrings hold up for Game 2.
Aaron
Guest
I would keep Naps there but would have started Game 1 with him and Matt Scott, the young guy needs to learn from the old master, if I was NSW I would have been glad that Matt Scott wasn’t there. I thought McCulloch did well as did the whole spine considering Hunt didn’t practice much at all with Munster and Morgan. I would leave the spine the same obviously just changing Slater at fullback if he’s fit. I’d keep both backrowers as I thought Kaufusi played well as a debutant and will only get better, Cooper tackled up a storm and will cut down his errors. Mind you i have heard that Gillette may be available for game 2, if so Kaufusi to the bench. McGuire is made for Origin and in my opinion always plays well and will be better in game 2. Inglis was outstanding as the captain, inspirational. Replacing Chambers was the hardest pick but he was terrible twice kicking on the 3rd tackle and his defence was not up to par, swap him with Morgan. Wingers were good and hopefully Gagai will be fully injury free for game 2, Holmes is solid. Bench I would have Pinga us utility, just too exciting too leave out, when and if you GSW him is the issue, with Papalii, and Arrow. Hess very lucky to keep a bench spot but would need to be damaging to repay the selectors
Footy Fan
Guest
Yeah, but those were the selected roles. Hunt was put in to be 'the man' in terms of steering, knowing full well Munster would play like a running five eighth and McCulloch is a workhouse with a little cunning thrown in. But it was mostly one or two passes wide and then one out. Cleary's role wasn't as demanding - make your tackles, passes and kicks and support Jimmy, who was there to run the show. Sensible coaching. Ease Cleary in over a series. For all of Inglis' hits and runs for metres, including 5 tackle breaks, and similar for Morgan, NSW always appeared to have the cover to absorb and shut down chances. Hunt's style of play contributed to that and maybe McCulloch a smidge as well. Not enough darting, and not enough calling the plays. As a NSW fan, I'd be more worried about Morgan steering from 7. Of course, having Slater at the back helps plenty.
Footy Fan
Guest
Chambers: 10 missed tackles. From centre, mind. Although he did make 17 tackles - must've been covering Hunt & picking up a bit the workload of Hess who only made 12 tackles. 14 carries, zero passes, 1 error, 2 kicks (is that wise?), 131 metres. I'd give him a 4. Latrell had his measure at every stage, for tackle breaks galore & no missed tackles. Papalii played 39 minutes, for 37 tackles, 1 missed, 10 touches, 2 passes & 99 metres. Isn't that above a pass mark for a middle man? 6.5? Maguire was clearly Qld's best forward, as he often is. 8.5? Hess, Wallace, Cooper, and Kaufusi were really lacking in attack - perhaps Qld's strategy to use their backs. Your marks quite fair.
Davico
Guest
So going off stats then you must rate Aaron Woods as one of the form props in the comp who should have been the first prop picked in the NSW side!
Dan Wighton
Roar Guru
You're right. Maybe two.
Renegade
Roar Guru
But you’re saying McCullogh and Napa were good?
John
Guest
I would give Maloney a solid 7 for QLD, he had more QLD try assists than the QLD halves.
Carlos
Guest
I really enjoyed the game this is the first series in years that is actually interesting and worth watching. Chambers had a shocker and If somebody needs to go to fit Slater in, it should be him. If Slater comes back maybe he can help Inglis steady the ship. But IMO QLD have always leaned very heavily on the Storm structures and looked a little lost as to what to do other than just play hard... In times gone by when the going got tough or they needed to close out a game they had the well oiled and elite club unit to go through the motions, work NSW over push them down field then strike. Last 12 years Origin has basically been a supercharged elite club team verses a team of great players from different clubs given a week to prepare. You could argue that Craig Bellamy is the greatest coach Queensland ever had. Out - Napa, Chambers, Milford, Kaufusi and Arrow In - Slater, Scott and Ponga Morgan to center, Ponga to bench. Not sure who to replace Kafusi and Arrow but they need to be replaced QLD desperately need Gillet to be fit for game 2.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Munster could be difficult to play outside of. He gets the ball and he’s all instinct and not much structure. He accelerates, stops, steps, changes direction, throws a flick pass, runs across field, etc. I think he needs a super organised and organising half to play ourside of. Not sure Hunt is the guy. Could also explain some of Melbourne’s problems this season despite him playing well.
ja ja klazo
Guest
Cleary put in a very good defensive performance for a 20 year old half on debut. Agreed, Maloney made his night easier but when you are alongside an organising half then you are able to take a bit of a back seat if the other guy is controlling proceedings nicely. If anything that shows his level of maturity. I thought in attack he was solid, didn't panic when he was rushed and didn't shy from running the ball. He's going to be a very, very good player. On the other hand, Hunt was a bit of a liability in defence, didn't do much in attack and didn't marshal his troops well when that was what he needed to do as the sole organising half in the team.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I don't know if not having someone else run the team is a great excuse for a guy who was supposed to be running the team. Hunt handled the ball more then any other half on the field and came up with a couple good kicks and 3 runs for 17m to show for it. Given he's supposedly the form halfback in the comp and was given the reigns to a QLD team that looked rudderless in attack I'd say that some criticism is deserved
Matt H
Roar Guru
Interesting that Cleary is getting plaudits and Hunt is getting panned by some. Hunt did some great things and some not so great, but unlike Cleary he had a second gamer at number 6 who is pretty much a running half - barely kicked and barely played first receiver. Cleary had Maloney to effectively run the show for him. I know who had the easier night of it.
Alan
Guest
Chambers was dreadful and he shouldn't be back in game 2. Morgan into the centres and Billy/Ponga at the back. Milford was only on the field for 15 mins or so and was after a reshuffle with Hunt going into hooker. Milford was absent, not dreadful. Chambers was awful, so how on earth did he got a 5.5?
Nat
Roar Guru
Apparently he'll be right by G2 but that's a long lay off for a decider to be his comeback. I appreciate Cooper's 40 tkls but the others are just as efficient and more damaging in attacking. IMO, he's made a career running off JT but we don't have that luxury anymore.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Agreed. I'd suggest he should start, but we are short of impact players off the bench as well.
carlos
Guest
Parramatta will sign him for 900K a season right now.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Um, the stats
Davico
Roar Pro
So your questioning the ratings because they don't match your opinion? What are your comments based on?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hunt spent the last 15 minutes or so at 9 once McCullough came off
Graham
Guest
cooper made 40 tackles and only missed 2. Pretty decent effort really. Not dropping him in a hurry When is gillett expected back?