A series that was meant to be a sure thing has ended in bitter disappointment for the NSW Blues, their 20-14 loss in Game 3 handing the Origin shield back to Queensland for the first time since 2017.
The Blues were excellent in defence all night, somehow only losing by a single converted try despite having far less ball and good field position, but they just didn’t get enough go-forward.
Here’s how each of the NSW players rated.
1. James Tedesco (c): 6/10
Tedesco was looking his usual influential self at the start of the game, popping up with an opportunistic try against the run of play, but his night was ended inside 20 minutes after a sickening head clash with Josh Papalii’s knee. The Blues desperately missed him.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2. Daniel Tupou: 6
Tupou is a winger who runs like a forward. Was earnest in contact all night, and while he didn’t have many opportunities in attack, he still managed to get a second Origin try.
3. Clint Gutherson: 5
Solid in defence in the centres, Gutherson was moved to fullback when Tedesco went off and while it is his preferred position, he couldn’t make much of an impact from the back.
4. Jack Wighton: 4
A quiet end to a quiet series for Wighton. Didn’t offer much in attack, slipped off a few tackles and made a couple of errors.
5. Josh Addo-Carr: 7
Addo-Carr up with a couple of great defensive reads in the space of a few seconds to stop Valentine Holmes from scoring with about five minutes to go before halftime, and while he wasn’t at the same level of his Game 1 and 2 performances, he still had a good night. Was unlucky not to earn a penalty try late on when he was taken out chasing in hot pursuit of the ball.
6. Cody Walker: 4
A bit of a barometer for the Blues, Walker just couldn’t get involved enough until his side were playing catch-up, and came up with an error when they were in good field position before halftime. His game came to a horrible end when he was knocked out cold with a few minutes left.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
7. Nathan Cleary: 6
A mixed bag for Cleary. Didn’t have much of a platform to work with, but he still kicked fairly well, including a superb 40/20 from inside his own 30 before halftime. His workrate can’t be faulted, although there were a couple of questionable decisions late in the game he’d like back.
8. Daniel Saifiti: 7
Saifiti was one of few Blues forwards who made a dent in the Queensland line with ball in hand, although an offload or two would have helped the side.
9. Damien Cook: 6
Set up a few nice runs for his teammates up the middle but Cook couldn’t get his own running game going, and the Blues missed it. Made no small number of tackles though, with 47 to his name.
10. Payne Haas: 4
Didn’t have the same impact as in Game 2. Tackled well, but only made 35 metres with ball in hand – less than one for every minute he was on the park.
11. Angus Crichton: 8
The best NSW forward, Crichton was immense in both attack and defence. After falling out of the side last year, he put together a strong series this season.
12. Tyson Frizell: 3
Like many of his teammates, Frizell tackled well but offered little running the ball back. His main issue, though, was his discipline: the second-rower gave away four penalties, more than the rest of the team combined. On a night when the Blues struggled to get possession, those infringements hurt.
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13. Jake Trbojevic: 7
Here’s a stat: in the three games of the series, Jake Trbojevic made 129 tackles and missed… one. Was a huge reason the NSW defence was so miserly in Brisbane despite the mountain of possession they gave up, and also run for just under 100 metres.
14. Dale Finucane: 6
A typically solid outing from Finucane, who made his tackles, and decent metres with the ball.
15. Junior Paulo: 6
Didn’t bust open the Queensland defence, but Paulo did provide the only offloading threat for the Blues: his four were more than the rest of the team combined.
16. Nathan Brown: 4
It was strange that, in a game where his side struggled to get god front-foot ball, Brown only saw a dozen minutes on the park – and in two separate stints. Ran fairly well when he was out there, although he also found enough time to miss a couple of tackles.
17. Isaah Yeo: 5
Forced to play in the centres after Tedesco went off and Gutherson switched to fullback, Yeo was instantly targeted in defence with great success by Queensland, and also gifted the Maroons possession by dropping the ball cold off a scrum. That said, he improved in the second half and was solid in attack, and almost managed to break away late in the game after bursting through the defence.
Big Daddy
Guest
Cleary NSW player of the series. That sums it up for me .
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Kurt S, and I think I semi covered this in my comment above, I don't blame Walker, but I don't think he's a rep player. He reminds me of Sandow, in more ways than one, and on a good day he could be the best on the field at any level, on an average day he's definitely a FG player, and an asset at club level, but he should never even be considered at rep level.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Chief, "Cleary is too slow. He's not a half back". Even if I put that comment into the context of rep footy only, I still struggle. Surely you'd agree HB would have to be his best position overall, and only possible position at rep level (other than, and silly/extremely wasteful, off the bench). At club level he played in the GF, went close to the Daly M, even after missing a couple of games, so who's your alternative, and in the context of a combination (we don't need two running 5/8's in the halves)? I agree Walker needs, and I'd input fast attacking players around/backing him up, in order to get the best out of him, but at the same time that alone doesn't necessarily get the best out of him. I think he's too inconsistant, and costs a team too much in order for his style of play (unstructed across the board), coupled with that inconsistancy to work, especially (and maybe only) at rep level. I don't blame him for our loss, but as per a comment I made pre game 2, I'd never have him in a rep side, unless I was desperate. So yes, Kleary was extremely unlucky to miss out, especially to Walker.
R N
Roar Rookie
NSW has so many quality back rowers.... Frizzell is not one of them! Astounds me he kept getting picked (past tense).
Dunning Kruger
Roar Rookie
Fittler: 2. Wrong players in the wrong positions and the wrong game plan. Terrible.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
The fun thing with Gould complaining about Yeo (and as you say, not providing an alternative), was that Yeo has played 1 or more games in the centres in 5 of his 7 seasons in the NRL and Yeo has played twice as many games at Centre as the starting centre whose place he took.
Taree Raider
Guest
Wayne Bennett is an old 's***head'. You've got to love the way he goes about the business of being a coach. He accepts the SOO job, has Neil Henry to work out the tactics, Mal Meningah does the motivation, Alfie keeps everyone hydrated & Wayne just hangs around & keeps things calm & claims the spoils. Bellamy can't do that. He couldn't handle SOO. If Wayne coached NSW he would pick half the Souths team, (the other half would not be eligible to play), he would get the best out of the players he picks & get the job done. Simple solution. You can't beat experience. Freddy Fitler just hasn't got it. Last night was hopeless. There were no obvious tactics. When asked in the press conference. "What went wrong Freddy?" He says, "I don't know". That ineptitude proves that he has little idea, even when things are going his way. I know nothing, but Freddy here's a tip. You pick the best 5/8 at 5/8 you pick the best centre @ centre in the starting team.
Emcie
Roar Guru
So the forwards were as soft as a flat taco?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Flat as tacos is a soft taco. Brittle as tacos is a hard taco
Emcie
Roar Guru
Soft tacos I'm assuming?
The Barry
Roar Guru
That was supposed to read “flat as tacks” but tacos is probably better!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cant work out if if its a Fitler thing or just the current crop of players. Say what you will about Laurie and Stuart their players were always up for the game. The last couple seasons have been very hit and miss from both sides effort wise.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Couldn’t agree more about that feeling of going through the motions Looked like that in Game 1, then in Game 2 there was a completely different attitude Maybe the big win was the worst thing possible because they looked flat as tacos again Game 3 and going through the motions Payne Haas is a great player but he really needs to develop a bit more aggression in his game. Paulo has it at times but he looked like he was told to look for opportunities to pass first, run second
The Barry
Roar Guru
He hogs the ball because he keeps getting the ball, which comes back to game plan (again) Second rowers should running outside in decoy lines at least some of the time to create space for the centre, fullback and wing. NSW just shovel the ball out until it stops
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I keep wondering why Frizzell keeps getting picked - I'm not sure what he offers. He looks energetic but he just doesn't do much. Actually both back rowers don't have a passing game. Crighton has a crack but just hogs the ball. I'd be looking for someone with a bit of creativity e.g Wade Graham.
josh
Roar Rookie
I'm referring you for a HIA. To give Munster a 9 and Addo-Carr a 7? He did nothing and went nowhere, a 7. This is why NSW don't get Origin.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
It was interesting to hear Gould in commentary complaining about Yeo being slow and not suited to the position. What was more interesting Gould refused to offer a better way to shift the team positions to get Yeo out of centre. He would never consider being critical of Fittler's decision to leave Paps off the bench. Clearly is a fair player but still hasn't done enough to be deserving of being the incumbent next year. Walker will take the fall again this season as he did in game 1 last season for Cleary not doing what he is paid to do. The game plan is built around Cleary and when he doesn't execute, those around him suffer the fate. Keary can feel a little unlucky after game 1, too. I wrote it here for the previous two years that Cleary is yet to prove himself and in the back half of this season waited for him to falter when the pressure was on in the comp. I thought it would be the semis when he dropped his bundle. But he waited for the big dance. Can't blame Cleary for being picked or for Gould ranting endlessly about the endless talent but there is a shade of M Pearce starting to hover over this 22 year old.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
And for that I thank him.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
In fairness to Cook he was well targeted and wouldn't suprise me if his tackle count in game 3 was 50. And plenty of them on the back foot. That would sap the energy of anyone. It was interesting to see Haas get pushed back so dramatically by Qld in the second half (i think). He looked all out of juice.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
It seemed like NSW forwards were expecting to just go through the motions and be dominant. When Qld pushed back with some good early runs and ball position, the NSW pack looked either left or right expecting someone else to take the game on. NSW forwards in game 3 played without a rudder much like the Qld backs did in game 2. In Qld's case there rudder broke off. In NSW's case they all just expected someone else to turn the wheel.