The New South Wales Blues have cruised past a lacklustre Queensland Maroons outfit in Game 2 of the 2019 State of Origin series, planting three tries in each half to run away 38-6 victors.
Here are the player rating for New South Wales.
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1. James Tedesco – 9.5/10
Tedesco was the star of the show, a man that Queensland simply had no answer for. He was the catalyst for multiple tries throughout the game with his lightning footwork and slippery offence, opening up the Maroons defence like a can of tuna.
He continued to create something out of nothing at every turn, feeding Tom Trbojevic his first meat pie from the most innocuous of dummy-half runs.
Don’t even try and figure out his ridiculous flick pass try-assist for Tommy Turbo’s hat-trick.
He racked up the most runs (12) and running metres (104) in the first half, but the fun didn’t stop in the second stanza, somehow more than doubling those numbers by the end of the game in one of the most dominant fullback performances in State of Origin history.
2. Blake Ferguson – 7.5/10
The Eels winger put in a very strong performance on return to the Origin arena, surprisingly taking a lot of workload through the middle in the early stages of each half, racking up the hit ups at the start of sets to keep the Blues moving forward.
Playing the full 80 minutes, Ferguson ran for the third-most metres for the entire game and the second-highest post-contact metres. He was a machine with ball in hand without needing to be flashy.
While he didn’t rack up the tries or line breaks of his teammates in the backline, he played the powerhouse, churning through the hit-ups to take the pressure off the forwards, as well as picking up big metres out wide to push the Blues into the opposition half.
A dropped ball in the first half was made up for with a bruising tackle to take Corey Oates over the sideline in the ensuing set to save his own bacon.
3. Tom Trbojevic – 8.5
The first New South Wales hat-trick since Matt King in 2005, Tom Trbojevic was the beneficiary of some outstanding play from the Blues, twice picking off a final pass to cruise over the line for a four-pointer.
While credit should be given to those two tries for his ability to keep up with James Tedesco and Josh Addo-Carr, his first try was all his, leaping into the clouds to reel in a James Maloney high ball ahead of Kalyn Ponga.
Not really touched on throughout the game, but he was also very strong defensively, missing just one of 18 tackle attempts to keep the Maroons wide ball contained.
4. Jack Wighton – 6
Wighton was the man to give away the first half penalty try after taking out Will Chambers.
Other than that, he ran well on the edges when he could get his mitts on the ball, averaging over ten metres a run and threatening the break the line, even score a try in the first half, more than once.
Solid performance without being spectacular.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
5. Josh Addo-Carr – 8.5
Addo-Carr may have been denied by a James Maloney forward pass in the first half, but The Fox wouldn’t be held down for long, scoring a brace in the second half as the Blues ran riot.
He was one of only two players to run for a double hundred in metres, topping the charts for the game with 215. He picked off three intercepts as well.
He terrorised the Maroons out wide, breaking the line almost at will.
6. James Maloney – 9
Maloney had a ripper on his Origin return, feeding a firing backline throughout the game, setting up a handful of tries and taking charge of the New South Wales side after an injury to halves partner Nathan Cleary ruled him out at halftime.
The man from Orange stood up and thrived under the added pressure with a strong kicking game, hitting a 40/20 and an assist of a high ball in the first half, keeping the Maroons on the back foot in their own half with intelligent placement off the boot.
He led the team beautifully from his post and locked down his position for Game 3.
7. Nathan Cleary – 4
Unfortunately ruled out of the game at halftime with an ankle injury, Cleary didn’t do anything wrong, just didn’t have the chance to anything period.
He was relatively quiet in the first half with Maloney firing on all cylinders, taking a backseat to his Panthers teammate and rightly so.
An awkward landing near the tryline was enough to keep him sidelined once he hit the sheds at halftime. If still fit, it would be harsh to drop him for Game 3 based off this performance.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
8. Daniel Saifiti – 6
Only played 34 minutes, but stayed busy throughout, putting pressure on the Maroons defensive line up the middle of the park with some strong post-contact metres.
He landed 100 metres from his eight runs, looking strong with ball in hand, just lacking the opportunity and time on the park to expand on it.
9. Damien Cook – 8
A tough night for the hooker in very slippery conditions. The wet weather was a nightmare for handling but Cook was able to give consistently good delivery to his halves even when the heavens opened up.
A handful of really good darts out of dummy half, not overstaying his welcome in that regard, but picking his moments well on quicker play-the-balls and slow markers.
A defensive rock as ever with 20 first-half tackles, finishing the 80 minutes with a game-high 38 to his name, the most for either side.
13. Jake Trbojevic – 8
A surprising man of the match for some considering the performances of his teammates, but the older Trbojevic brother played the workhorse role perfectly.
He racked up 20 runs (second highest) for 168 metres, a fifth of those being post-contact. He was also dense in the middle with 30 tackles, including 21 in the first half to keep the Maroons off their line.
11. Boyd Cordner – 7
It was a relatively easy-going first half for the skipper, playing 25 of the 40 minutes due to a concussion assessment, with some strong runs under the belt, but nothing to set the world on fire.
A strong second half brought him right back into the game with a gritty captain’s knock in tricky conditions.
12. Tyson Frizell – 6
A barnstorming charge over the line from the big unit in the 18th-minute gave the Blues the lead once again, a lead they wouldn’t drop for the remainder of the game.
Frizell’s game was more of a defensive one for the most part, making the most tackles (25) of the first half in powerful display of contact tackling, keeping the Queenslander’s down when they had ball in hand.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
14. Dale Finucane – 6
Not a terrible game by any means for his 42 minutes on the field.
He made the most of a short first half, making 13 tackles in 17 minutes in the defensive line and taking the fight to the Queensland forward pack early on in the contest, ending up with over 80 metres at the end of the game.
10. Paul Vaughan – 7
Brought on later in the second half and put the pressure on the opposition players as a hard-hitter in attack and defence.
Vaughan would make 20 tackles without a single missed, and well over 100 running metres in a very strong impact performance off the bench. It’s hard to see him losing his place for Game 3 after this one.
15. Tariq Sims – 5
Sims didn’t get a whole lot of game time at the end of the day which hurts his rating a touch, but still put in a solid performance when given the chance, making big metres early in the second half as the Blues wrestled any momentum away from their rivals.
He’ll be hoping to be a little busier next time around if he gets the chance.
16. Cameron Murray – 5
Didn’t get any game time in the first half, but was allowed to play the rest of the game after coming on in the 48th minute.
He was just shy of hitting double-figure run metres per carry. A quiet achiever in a second half dominated by New South Wales’ outside backs.
17. Wade Graham – 7.5
A beneficiary of two injuries to teammates throughout the game, Wade Graham came on off the bench in the first half in place of Boyd Cordner, who was off for a concussion test, then was allowed to play the entire second half in place of Nathan Cleary, who was ruled out at halftime.
It was an eclectic performance from Graham who was juggling different positions each time he came on, but he handled the pressure well.
He set up Josh Addo-Carr’s first try with a peach of a grubber into the in-goal area, also playing an integral role in The Fox’s second pie as well.
Total: 118.5/170
Carlos
Guest
Agree with most of that. I was critical of some of the changes Freddy made for this game but he obviously knew what he was doing. As others have commented the biggest and most effective change IMO was the use of the bench. Having Vaughn on the bench meant that had a fresh dominant middle forward in the game at all times. We got rolled in game one when Freddy had the most of the starting pack sitting on the bench for half the game. Game 2 The only changes I would make are Keary in for Cleary Klemmer for Finucane (with Klemmer and Saifiti as starting props and Jurbo at 13 ) Haas and Finucane both showed that they deserve spots but I think it would be a mistake to mess too much with a winning team (Haas) and also a mistake (Finucane ) not to have Klemmer back in the squad.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Will be interesting if Wighton keeps his spot for game 3. I am guessing the selectors will want to bring Latrell back, provided he shows something at the Roosters before game 3. Keary might also be available and the 4 forwards on the bench with Graham worked well. Doesn't leave any room for Wighton.
eels47
Roar Rookie
I'm just not sold on Wighton as a primary playmaker. Just personal opinion I guess.
Davico
Roar Pro
Why not Wighton to 6 and Latrell back in at centre?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Agree with all you have outlined there, Baz. But I'd have to add that the much criticised 7 changes that Fittler made, also had plenty to do with this NSW win. The NSW back 5 needed much more running impact off their line than Game 1's feeble performance, and Fergo( 17 for 170 m), Turbo (13 for 118) & Wighton (15 for 153) provided this. And the vital patching up of the NSW left side defence with Wighton & Maloney completely shut the door on Chambers & Gagai with their right side attack that was virtually unimpeded in Game 1. I would be making as few changes as possible for Game 3. If Cleary is unable to play, I'd use Graham again at 6 and Maloney at 7. If Klemmer is OK to return, swap him for Sims. Apart from that, leave the team as it was last night. Don't even consider Mitchell till next year, when selectors can then re-assess if he is then mentally mature enough for Origin.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
It's Sims vs Finucane rather than Murray vs either one IMO. Finucane plays a different position and role to Sims but they are both essentially smaller back row forwards, along with Murray, and are competing for the same spot on the bench. Sims was way up on confidence and form at the end of last season but that has not been the case so far this year. Sims seemed to feed off JDB locking down the middle third last year and now he is confused about his role most of the time trying to fill in for JDB instead of concentrating on being a beast on the left edge for the Dragons. Not sure if Scott, DPS or Paul would agree with that assessment of Sims and JDB though. You ARE a Dragons supporter Paul, yes?
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Stick with the winning side. Cleary did improve from game 1 and has a developed combination with Maloney. Keary comes in if either Maloney or Cleary are unavailable for any reason. Going forward Keary and Cleary will be the halves pairing for NSW. Walker may get another shot down the track but getting hooked mid-game is hard to come back from.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! But we see this most weeks with Jimmy . If your pack can dominate he can make good things happen and pick up a 9 rating , despite giving away 3 penalties, 2 x forward passes ( bombing a certain try) and 4 x missed tackles .
eels47
Roar Rookie
I agree about Cam Murray and his future in the team. I think Fittler will stick with him and Sims will make way, but one thing Sims has over Murray is impact (and aggression). Whilst it wasn't necessarily on display last night, that is a possible reason for him being kept.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Haha, well played.
eels47
Roar Rookie
I thought the same would happen when Cleary didn't come back, but having graham a player closer to the ruck turned out to be a great move. I guess it will all come down to how Fittler wants to play it for game 3. Do we bring in Keary for a decider? Or do with stick with those already there?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Spot on Chui ! Jake was my MOM at halftime and at fulltime. 19 hit ups / 158 m right up the guts, 12 passes, 30 tackles ( no missed tackles). Laid the platform for the NSW pack dominance that the backs finished off.
bigandy70
Roar Rookie
Tedesco was close to the Blues best in both the first and the second games. If he plays a similar game in game 3, only Billy Slater can beat him for player of the series.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
You are right eels47, the Blues forwards laid the platform through the middle from which all else flowed. Outstanding job by the entire forward pack. Klemmer is essential though and one of the players highest on the list that QLD would like to see omitted from game 3. I thought that Fittler would have moved Wighton to cover Cleary and moved Graham or Frizell to centre. Good move in the end going with Graham in the halves. I thought it may have been a bridge too far for him after so many years out of the position. Keary would be a big improvement to the side even though even though Cleary did improve and is as much a part of the Blues going forward as Cam Murray, Turbo and Latrell Mitchell. In all likelihood it will be Cleary and Keary in the halves when Maloney retires from rep footy which better not be before game 3! ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Cameron Murray is the future for NSW mate. All Rabbitohs bias aside he deserves his spot as, one day, he will be the Boyd Cordner and captain of the team so he needs the experience and won't let NSW down in the process. I agree about the mongrel comment for Sims but as "Papa Smurf" (aka Wayne Bennett) says; "you can't pick em' all". Sims got the least mins of all the forwards and Fittler is always talking Murray up each week in the NRL. Murray is also capable of playing 80 mins, has a faster average play the ball speed, better tackle efficiency, fewer missed tackles and a far better running game than Sims on a week to week basis. Finucane is another type of player, like Murray and Graham, that Fittler must find room for. Hence Tariq Sims is 18th man IMO without having done anything wrong but having little impact compared to the rest (albeit he only got 25 mins to impress).
eels47
Roar Rookie
It was a great team performance, which allowed the like of Teddy and Turbo to shine. Jake was fantastic, with strong runs and defence, and provided another link to the outside backs when needed. Frizell was a beast and had his best game in long time. Cordner went about his business as usual, nothing flashy, but his post contact metres were impressive. Graham was outstanding too, provided that point of difference needed on the edge. No changes other than Klemmer for Sims (unlucky) and Cleary if his injury keeps him out. Will be interesting to see what Fittler does there though. Keary is obvious choice if available though, given he would have been there game 1 if fit. Another option (not my preferred) might be Wighton to 6 and Mitchell back in the team.
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
I think Tariq should keep his spot. We need his mongrel and aggression. As for Klemmer I think he should be in the run on side and move safiti to the bench in place of Murray. As good as Murray was in game 1 and solid when he was on in game 2, I think it would be better to have another prop on the bench and wade graham the utility. Murray has a long career ahead in the arena. Proved me wrong from the start.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No, I agree with that. If players like Jake T. and Frizell are turning in MotM performances then why take them off if they aren't gassed? It is a fine line though to not overplay your hand and leaving your best forwards running on empty with rubber legs for the last 10 mins when they may well be needed most.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Great summary Baz - how good was that to watch? A complete demolition job. Freddy must have thought he was with his old band the Dreamers. Thought both Turbo brothers were enormous. Jurbo went forever like an old Holden or Datsun 240B. And the way T Turbo hung around Tedesco sniffing for an offload was brilliant. Their skill level in the wet was something to behold. And you're right - that moment where Wade Graham waits that little bit longer before passing and then the ball is shifted through the hands for JAC to score was the cherry on the cake.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think that’s the way it needs to be with the bench though. You have your best 13 and then bench players to play a role and cover for injury. That’s how it works at NRL level. NSW got themselves into a world of hurt trying to evenly distribute minutes between everyone in game one. I also think it hurt back in the day when they’d have seven 80 minute backrowers in the team and try and give Gallen, Bird, Lewis, Hoffman, Stewart, Watmough, Scott, etc equal game time. I agree with all your other changes. Klemmer in if he’s fit. All things being equal I’d have Mitchell over Wighton but I don’t think you can make that change now and I agree about Keary if he’s fit and Cleary not. But please no Pearce.