It might be a mystery to fans of other sports, but Origin just doesn’t do dead rubbers. Queensland have won 18-12 at Suncorp Stadium to prevent the whitewash and remind the Blues just how close the series actually was.
Queensland pummelled the Blues early on but the men from down south were resolute in defence, like someone hadn’t told them the series was already wrapped up.
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Queensland went into the sheds at half time with 70 per cent possession. That’s not rugby league, that’s Barcelona FC. That’s Pep Guardiola. But all they had to show for it was one measly intercept try.
The home side came home strongly in the second half, running through a tired Blues defence. Here are the player ratings for the Queensland Maroons.
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Billy Slater (c): 8
Kayln Ponga may sweeten the blow, but the Maroons – and eventually rugby league in general – are going to miss this man.
He was everywhere for the Maroons in attack and defence, chiming in perfectly for Valentine Holmes’ second try. Deserved to wear the captain’s armband for his service across the past decade.
Valentine Holmes: 8.5
Forget the two tries, forget the last ditch defence – Holmes won the game for Queensland with his Odell Beckham Jr grab with four minutes to go. He’s talked about wanting to play fullback for the Maroons, but with marks like that he could play full-forward for the Brisbane Lions.
In fact, right now, probably anyone could.
Dane Gagai: 8
What’s up is down, what’s black is white, and hamburgers eat people. Dane Gagai outran James Roberts in the first half and I don’t know what to believe anymore.
Gagai was excellent for the Maroons, not putting a foot wrong throughout the game and running 193 metres.
Dane Gagai (R) of the Maroons. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Will Chambers: 6
Chambers had a quiet match and looks the man to miss out next year when Greg Inglis returns.
Corey Oates: 6
Oates was given a great opportunity to make the spot his own but failed to capitalise. Made a few good runs in attack to give the forwards a hand.
Cameron Munster: 7.5
According to Fatty Vautin, Munster’s “a real footballer” – which usually means he reminds you of the bloke at work who kills it at touch footy but has a smoke at halftime.
Fortunately for Munster, he’s a lot better than the bloke at work – although he still looks like he enjoys a durry from time to time. Gets half a point just for the moustache.
Daly Cherry-Evans: 9
We still don’t know who DCE pissed off to get his name black-marked from Origin for the past few years, but on the back of this performance all should be forgiven. Flawless short and long kicking game all night from the Manly man who must be given the No.7 for the foreseeable future.
Daly Cherry-Evans of Queensland (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Jai Arrow: 7
Arrow answered some of the criticism levelled at him after the last game with a good opening stanza. Was a bit quiet after that, but still played his best match of the series.
Andrew McCullough: 6
McCullough was dangerous at times but the Maroons really clicked into gear when Ben Hunt went into the hooking role.
Josh Papalii: 7
Only played 26 minutes – the lowest of anyone in Maroon. Still managed to carve it up when he was out there.
Gavin Cooper: 7.5
There’s little doubt he misses club-mate Johnathan Thurston and the short passes that would send him over the line, but there’s still plenty more to Gavin Cooper. Looked dangerous in attack and threw the final ball for Cherry-Evans’ match winner.
Felise Kaufusi: 7
An 80-minute performance from Felise, he is warming into Origin and starting to make the position his own.
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Josh McGuire: 7
Got through a load of defensive work to top the Maroons tackle count with 34 and generally just did Josh McGuire things.
Bench
Ben Hunt: 7
Hooker, not half, seems to be his position. Big tackle on Tariq Sims led to a reaction and the Maroons’ second try while the whole side looked more dangerous when Hunt was on – particularly when they didn’t let him grubber.
Jarrod Wallace: 6
Only played 31 minutes but looked solid enough to silence some of the doubters.
Coen Hess: 7
The big man was one of Queensland’s best going forward and looks to be the lynchpin of the next generation of Maroons forwards.
Tim Glasby: 6
Glasby did everything a Bellamy-coached forward should, making tackles and hit ups and generally just looking the part. Overshadowed by the others in the forward pack.
Total: 120.5/170
Coach couture: 10
From Kevin Walters rocking the ‘Tony Montana in the mansion at the end of Scarface’ look to Brad Fittler looking like a missing Wiggle in his black skivvy, we’ve probably never had a set of better dressed coaches.
Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Fraser
Guest
I'm not sure Cordner would have received 2 points in the first game. I would've had it: Teddy, Cook, Maloney, Cordner Game 2: Cordner, Slater, Ponga, Mitchell. Game 3: Slater, DCE, Holmes, Cook But it sounds like Turbo got a bunch of points in there somewhere as well.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Sorry mate, didn't mean to offend. Just saying that if that 3rd try isn't scored there isn't the chance for that extra goal kick. There's no doubt goal kicking has been an issue and it was certainly cost QLD in game 2
Peter
Guest
Whatever. I bow to your superior wisdom. I was merely observing that "must find a new goal kicker" was, in my view, a bit over the top.
John
Guest
Agreed, I would rather give Feldt a crack before giving Oates another go. Having said that I don't think Hunt did much to cement a spot either, I reckon he played himself out the team.
Emcie
Roar Guru
3 tries to 2 was the difference, not goals
Tom
Guest
I didn't think Oates did much to cement a spot, I'd get him out and move Gagai back to the wing
Matt H
Roar Guru
Doers he pass right to left from left centre for his club very much? Because he looked really uncomfortable, even the one time he did pass it. At one point you could even see the two players having a go at each other. Something did not gel. Oates is mostly positioned perfectly in club football. Maybe we put it down to first time combinations.
Graham
Guest
Cheers! Hess had a high of 99% tackle efficiency which is the highest for either side. Only 21 and I rate him only going to improve. He made a bursting run that nearly resulted in a try for QLD. Its true his defence for NQ is only above average this season. Still making a lot of tries, assists and breaks
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Before leaving Brisbane I remember Hunt played some hooker and it was suggested then that he was a natural number 9. Maybe he needs to give in to it and be something he should be, not something he isnt.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Ah yes, let's forget that NSW clearly went in with a game plan of letting Maloney do all the work while Cleary played a supporting role... Let's also forget the try assist Clearly made but it was ruled out because Klemmer had to trip someone...
Don
Roar Rookie
Gagai has played 7 games on the wing in his 149 game NRL career and 6 of those were in his first year. 120 of his games have been played at centre. He is a natural centre who does a great job playing wing in rep footy. The only time he plays wing now is in SOO. Like Darius Boyd, Brent Tate, ET, Michael O’Connor and plenty before him. Rewatch the game. Oates positions himself really poorly as a support runner and Gagai was under pressure from NSW defenders more often than not.
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
I have to say a player as maligned as DCE he was clearly Qld best player. He showed Clearly how to manage a game and combination with Munster should get even better. I wouldn't give up in Napa just yet, Qld don't really have a forward that has that mongrel in him like Napa. He should be given another chance off the bench next year. NSW have Sims who we know puts the fear of good into ball runners. Thought Chambers did a good job on Mitchell and outplayed him and probably could have scored a try had he not passed the ball to Val. I think this game proves there won't be a dominant team winning multiple series going forward which will be a good thing for the game.
Matt H
Roar Guru
I'm sure of all the Gagai love. He was solid and played his usual winger's game. Unfortunately he was picked in the centres. the contrast between how Gagia failed to give Oates any opportunities down the left, even with all that possession, compared to how Chambers set up V-Holmes' try should tell you something. Next year Gagai should go back to wing (sorry Corey Oates, I love you bit you have too many errors in you) and Inglis comes back into the centres. If Chambers is dropped it should be for Morgan not to move Gagai into the centres. What is it with good wingers not wanting to be wingers? Gagai wants to be a centre, Holmes wants to be a fullback, Oates wants to be a second rower. It must get cold and lonely on the wing.
Alfie
Guest
Graham I liked the ratings for each player However the Hess rating and comment in my opinion was not right Hess has to really work on his defence . He misses tackles every week for the cowboys He has Really been off the boil in the first two origins and was very lucky to keep his spot in game 3 However He really took the nsw forwards on last night which was great to see up the middle. Munster had a great series and really stood up in origin 3 in attack and defence esp after throwing the intercept. Qld deserved to win game 3 The slater man of the series was a complete joke It was just terrible that the winner came from the beaten team when NSW were the dominant team in the series plus he only played 2 games Slater would have polled at best total of 7 points on the 4 3 2 1 system from each of the three judges. Surely dce was Qld player of the match last night but slater got mom because of the emotional retiring element Cordner surely got 7 points over the 3 games min 2 in the first, four in the second as he was mom And one in third as he was nsw best player in game 3 !!! They need to divulge the votes from Lockyer Daley and Meninga
Mike Dugg
Guest
Next year Inglis replaces Chambers, Macca drops out with Hunt at hooker and Morgan at 14, and Ponga replaces Slater at the back. Arrow really isn't a prop. I'd return mcguire to his natural prop role and Arrow to his club role of lock. Papalli showed he should be the starting prop moving with Wallace seemingly better off the bench. Cooper should be replaced by the returning Gillette. Kaufusi should come back stronger in attack and defence. Offa replaces the solid Glasby next year as well
kk
Guest
Agree D. Gavin should audition for the lead in a remake of 'High Noon' He is a natural. Holmes and Cooper were standouts.
Diplomatt
Guest
(Disclaimer NSW supporter) I'd give Gavin Cooper an extra 1/2 - 1 point for his act of sportsmanship in the second half where he stopped a NSW player being lifted into a dangerous position. Possibly just preventing a penalty but in game where the players are really out there to hurt each other I thought it was impressive. Massive respect for Mr Cooper.
Graham
Guest
they were all gettable kicks really but the first was a little trickier. Its no critcism of him, its not his job at club level we need a specialist I think NSW missed one goal kick all series with quite a few from out wide
Peter
Guest
Re your comment on Holmes' goal-kicking. I guess you didn't see last night's effort, then. His 6 points from 3 goals just happened to be the winning margin.
Graham
Guest
Oops forgot DCE 8 very patient in attack forcing a lot of dropouts and gaining territory and scoring the winning try. Below his vaunted standards in defence but good enough