The New South Wales Blues have won the 2018 State of Origin series in straight sets, getting the better of the Queensland Maroons by four points at ANZ Stadium. Here are the player ratings from their victory.
More State of Origin 2:
» Match report: Blues win game 2, series
» Nine talking points from Origin 2
» WATCH: Video highlights from Origin 2
» Re-live the match with our live blog
1. James Tedesco – 8
I’m about to say Tedesco had his worst Origin game. And it was still excellent. He was among the Blues’ best, created plenty of chances and threatened the Queensland line all night. He was absolutely made for this arena and if this series has confirmed anything, it’s that he is the Blues long-term option in the No.1 jersey.
2. Tom Trbojevic – 7
The winger wasn’t quite as amazing as he was in Game 1, but then, that’s probably because Queensland learnt a thing or two about what happens when you relentlessly bomb Tom Trbojevic’s corner. He looked like a star in Game 1.
Of course, he still had a very good game last night as well. He made lots of strong runs and was never afraid of doing the hard yards. Defensively very sound as well.
3. Latrell Mitchell – 6.5
I fully expect to be called out for this one, but I don’t care. Mitchell didn’t have a great game despite some of his better moments. The positives were there, with the Roosters centre scoring a try and being dangerous in his ball running at times. He also came up with some good defensive plays, but the fragility of his game came to show throughout.
With anyone other than a misfiring Ben Hunt on the other side, there is every chance Mitchell’s mistakes in defence, as well as a crazy flick pass on tackle zero might have come back to haunt them. They didn’t and Mitchell is part of a winning Blues side, but he still has a lot to learn.
4. James Roberts – 5.5
Roberts had an up and down game, but in short, the jury is still out on him and his Origin potential. He had a good Game 1, but Billy Slater came back and all of a sudden his defence was shot to bits. While they only let in a single try down that side of the field, they were broken a handful more times.
Roberts is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the game, but struggled to show it during Game 2. He needs a big performance up in Brisbane.
5. Josh Addo-Carr – 7
Like Roberts, it was up and down for Addo-Carr. He seemed to start quite poorly with an error and a penalty marring the first half for the winger, but he grew into his performance pretty strongly as the game went on, scoring an excellent try with great footwork to remind everyone of his attacking talent.
6. James Maloney – 8
Not for the first time in this series, Maloney reminded everyone why he is so pivotal to the Blues and why the Panthers are sitting near enough to the top of his table. His control over game tempo with his kicking was superb, while he had two try assists and his goal kicking was the difference between the sides.
James Maloney kicks off during State of Origin. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
7. Nathan Cleary – 7
Cleary was a little quiet at times throughout the contest, but he took the line on six times and created some opportunities, even if he didn’t end up with an assist to his name. At the end of his day, he played his role, defended solidly and deserves to revel in the success of Origin victory among the rest of his teammates.
8. David Klemmer – 7
The way Klemmer was used confused me somewhat. He played most of the first half and was quite strong, running for 87 metres at almost ten per run. He made every impact count through the first half, coming up with some big tackles as well, but the confusion was when he didn’t return for the second half.
Both starting props missing the first half doesn’t make much sense to me, but you can only judge Klemmer on what he did and his body of work was impressive.
9. Damien Cook – 7.5
Two Origin games and twice the leading tackler, Cook is proving himself more than capable of playing the full 80 minutes. He made 42 of them last night and while his attacking edge was slightly reduced, the game simply didn’t suit outrageous attacking play. Did his job and gave solid service to the New South Wales pack.
10. Matt Prior – 5
I’d love to give Prior more, but his impact on the game was absolutely minuscule. He made just three runs in a first stint which saw plenty of strong defence, but he never returned to the field afterwards, playing just 25 minutes.
He probably survives the axe for Game 3, but it’ll be a two-game Origin career with plenty of other forwards chopping at the heels and desperate to get a run in the sky blue.
11. Boyd Cordner – 7.5
Cordner was named official man of the match and while I’d dispute that claim, it’s hard to argue he again led from the front for the Blues, proving his captaincy credentials again.
He ran the ball hard, picking up 117 metres and didn’t let anyone down in defence.
12. Tyson Frizell – 6
A pretty stock standard game from Frizell. It’s more or less what we have come to expect at this point, with the second rower getting involved, making some big runs, some good tackles and generally improving the Blues with his impact.
13. Jack de Belin – 7
The moment which summed up de Belin’s excellent performance was his big tackle early in the second half, causing a Queensland error. His defence was excellent and he definitely made a step up on his efforts from Game 1 of the series, where he made a solid start to his Origin career.
Didn’t do much in attack, but he didn’t need to. His role was to terrorise the Queenslanders and he did exactly that.
14. Paul Vaughan – 6
Vaughan seemed to have more of an impact off the bench than he did in Game 1. Made some big runs to help the Blues control territory during the middle third of the game and will be happy with his 80-metre effort.
15. Jake Trbojevic – 7
Put in a performance we have come to expect at this level from Jake Trbojevic. Has taken his benching this year like a champion, playing every minute after he entered the field at Homebush and making more than 100 metres to go with his stack of tackles.
16. Angus Crichton – 6
Just like he did in Game 1, the second rower did everything in his power to propel the Blues off the bench. He was maybe a little it quieter this time around, but made the most of his minutes, making two line breaks.
17. Tyrone Peachey – 3
It’s hard to get a read on Peachey. He has played less than 20 minutes across the two games, but was poor last night. In the crucial late stages of the game, he gave away a penalty for a blatant trip and didn’t do much to bump up his rating.
Alec
Guest
How did Tedesco get the same rating as Slater? He was comprehensively outplayed by Billy from start to finish, and if you really think Addo-Carr was better than Gagai you were watching a different game
Paul
Roar Guru
Scott, I think NSW is still underplaying some guys potential and other guys are simply not cut out for SOO. The forward pack, at Club level, has thrived on getting to the line and setting up second phase play. I realise the opportunities to do this at SOO level are way less than at Club level, but I'm hard pressed to remember any of the pack throwing a pass after making a hit up, maybe with the exception of Cook. I'm assuming Fiddler has taken a safety first approach to the first two games and told his guys not to try and offload (after seeing the brain fades from Latrell Mitchell, I can understand why), but he needs to let them play more expansively in game 3. If it works, he has more attacking weapons at his disposal. If it doesn't, NSW still wins the series. Jimmy the Jet might be a gun at Club level but he's out of his depth at SOO level. I thought you were generous with your ratings for him in both games. Euan Aiken is a much better proposition and completely suited to SOO. He's defensively very strong but can make breaks and set up his outside guys. In one way, it's sad NSW won game 2 because they'll take Roberts to Brisbane where he'll have another 4/10 game.
Nat
Roar Guru
I think it was a great introduction into origin for him. Solid without the expectation of brilliance. Some of the very best have stated that way and he will only get more confident. While Jimmy is good, in years to come Cleary will get a C. Walker-esk 5/8 causing all sorts of headaches for Qld. I don't like all this 'dynasty' talk either way. For decades a 3-peat was an exceptional feat and it will return to the same. But Klemmer v Napa, Cleary v Taylor, Tede v Ponga means we're in for a new brand of origin footy for years to come.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Them tears are salty Nat! :P Nah but seriously, Tedesco is a freak at this level. He hasn't played a bad game in blue yet has he?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah that pass was madness Tom.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Funnily enough I had a quick squiz of other ratings last night before logging off to make sure I wasn't completely a million miles off the money. Giving Mitchell a 9 is laughable mate!
Nat
Roar Guru
Nope. 1's across the board and a 10 for the constabulary! ;) Mostly agree although 8 for Tede doesn't leave much for when he turns in another G1 performance. I thought Jurbo had an immediate impact.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I know you’re coming at this from a different angle to me but you’re only confirming everything i wrote and not contradicting anything. “The game plan has obviously been for Maloney to run the show” Agreed - that’s what I wrote - it’s a great idea to ease him in. “Cleary has abided by that plan, supporting him and doing his job in defence, kick chasing and linking on the right side, and has remained error free in two tough SOO games” Agreed again, he has done all of those things well, but they’re not really the reasons you pick halfbacks and they’re also things that Pearce did well. “A “Pearce-esque origin performance”, surely you jest ? He will only gain more influence in the game with experience and as Maloney drops the reins in coming series’.” Agreed again. As above Pearce played this sort of low risk, low yield game at origin level. As I wrote above I think given game three is a dead rubber, Fittler should give Cleary more control and responsibility for the tea, with an eye on the future. “He will be a key for NSW over the coming decade.” I’m not disputing that in the slightest but so far he has had two, solid, unspectacular games. He hasn’t created any tries or linebreaks or done any telling kicks. That’s exactly what Pearce did at origin level, albeit after 10 games not just in his first couple. I think he’s had two 6 out of 10 games which is solid but I don’t think we should be getting carried away just yet or putting too much pressure on him...that tends not to work too well for NSW halves.
Tom
Guest
If Qld had anyone other than Ben Hunt at half, I suspect they win off the back of those Mitchell errors. The first one off the 20m restart was especially ridiculous considering NSW were up by 8 at the time...hold the ball!
Rellum
Roar Guru
I thought Addo-Carr was the difference. He made a few try saving tackles, one I personally thought wasn't but he got there to force it to the Video ref. Made a few breaks to help get NSW out of their own half, and he was really the only one that looked like doing that and he scored a try.
Tom
Guest
He was nwhere near his performance in game 1, but I can't see how you can say Roberts played better than Trbojevic.
Tom
Guest
Agreed, very harsh on Cleary. No silly errors, and an excellent cover tackle on Gagai. Maloney was always going to be playing the lead role, Cleary just had to provide a steady hand which he did. I suspect Pearce could have been pressured into errors when down by 10, which Cleary wasn't.
Albo
Guest
Come on Baz ! Its Cleary's second SOO game for two good wins. The game plan has obviously been for Maloney to run the show and Cleary has abided by that plan, supporting him and doing his job in defence, kick chasing and linking on the right side, and has remained error free in two tough SOO games . A "Pearce-esque origin performance", surely you jest ? He will only gain more influence in the game with experience and as Maloney drops the reins in coming series'. He will be a key for NSW over the coming decade.
bazz
Guest
Fully agree with your assessment on Mitchell. Any other game in the last decade, turning the ball over twice against QLD with only 12 men would have cost NSW the game.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Hi Scott, I think you're right on the money with the ratings. I had a look at the player ratings on other sites and some had me dumbfounded. For example, Fox gave Latrell Mitchell a 9 and Channel 9 gave Cook a 5. How the f..k does anyone give Mitchell a 9 or Cook a pass mark?
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
I think his body is a bit underdeveloped to take big hit ups coming out of defence yet. He's only young, and although he apparently weighs 102kgs, on his tall frame it doesn't give him a lot of power driving forward; he just gets chopped in half because he can't get low. He runs sideways looking for gaps but it doesn't work when the defence is already up and in line. However, scary to think what he'll be able to do when he grows into his body.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Yeah the counter to that is; Fittler played what was in front of him and QLD had Ponga on for 55 minutes in the middle of the field - something he wouldn't have planned for. So he kept his more mobile forwards on to defend that. My friend in the NFL Bill Belichick calls that "situational football"...
Renegade
Roar Guru
He came on and then was taken back off when Roberts got sin binned. All three props barely played last night, not sure what was the go with that.:.. big part of the reason why QLD dominated the middle.
parkhacker
Roar Rookie
Klemmer was playing well in 1st half perhaps he had an injury they wanted to keep quiet.Those last 10 minutes were the most exciting and scarey I can remember fantastic that we held them out and claimed series.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Thought Tom was terrific under the high ball in Game 1 as well. But last night 16 runs and averaged less than 5m per run. I thought he was pretty ineffective.