Written off by just about everyone before the series started, the Queensland Maroons sealed a memorable Origin victory by winning Game 3 20-14 in Brisbane.
The six-point margin wasn’t a true reflection of the home side’s dominance – it was something of a miracle that they only managed to score 20 points.
Here’s how each of the victorious Maroons rated.
5. Corey Allan: 5/10
Not a standout debut performance for Allan, although he won’t mind too much given the result. Did throw the last pass for Valentine Holmes’ opener and worked his way into the game as it went on, but made a couple of first-half errors – one of which gifted NSW a try – and then had his night ended early for a professional foul on Josh Addo-Carr, when he was lucky to not give away a penalty try.
19. Edrick Lee: 8
Unlike Allan, Lee had an excellent debut. Ran strongly to get Queensland’s sets off to strong starts, defended well, and showed a calm head to grab a crucial try at the end of the first half.
21. Brenko Lee: 7
Another strong debut from a Mr Lee. Like Edrick, Brenko defended well and made some strong runs when given the ball.
4. Dane Gagai: 7
Gagai doesn’t know how to have a bad Origin game, and he was his usual assured self in the Maroons jersey in the decider, particularly in attack.
1. Valentine Holmes: 4
Great finish to open the scoring but would have had another had he not juggled the ball before halftime, and then went ahead and bombed two absolute gimmes after the break. At least he kicked accurately from the tee.
6. Cameron Munster: 9
Just phenomenal. Munster made up for lost game time in Origin 2 with one of the great performances in a decider. His kicking was excellent, his running threatening, and his repeat involvements to set up Queensland’s second try were unreal. A deserving player of the series.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c): 7
The skipper played a supporting role for his more dominant halves partner, but Cherry-Evans was still a controlling influence on the game.
8. Christian Welch: 8
A big effort from the returning prop. Welch was strong all night in both attack and defence, a reminder of what a loss he was for Game 2.
9. Jake Friend: 6
Friend was typically industrious in defence, but the Maroons looked far better in attack when Harry Grant was running the show from dummy half.
10. Josh Papalii: 8
Papalii put in a huge first stint in the opening 20 minutes, and was quickly thrown back into the action – a far cry to his long time on the pine in Game 2. An important part of the dominant Queensland pack.
11. Felise Kaufusi: 8
Kaufusi had an off night in Sydney but made up for it in the decider. Made every single one of his 35 tackles and was able to surge through contact when running the ball. Was lucky not to be sin-binned late on though.
3. Kurt Capewell: 7
Looked comfortable in the second row after playing in the centres in the first two games of the series, and while he didn’t have the eye-catching impact he did in the opener, he was solid all night.
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13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui: 8
Fa’asuamaleaui is going to play an awful lot of Origins for the Maroons. He was the leading metre-eater in the Queensland pack, and only Welch made more tackles than him – and only by one on that count.
14. Harry Grant: 9
A truly remarkable Origin debut. Grant came on after less than half an hour and changed the game with his outstanding service and running out of dummy half. Queensland looked far more dangerous with the youngster on the park, and he deservedly grabbed the game-sealing try. Blues fans might have enjoyed not worrying about a world-class hooker wearing maroon for the last few years, but those days are now over.
15. Lindsay Collins: 8
Hasn’t taken a soft run all series. Collins was damaging off the bench once again, one of the best forwards on the ground.
16. Jai Arrow: 6
Put in a decent stint, but Arrow’s game will be remembered more for roughing up a severely concussed James Tedesco when the Blues skipper was prone on the ground. A low act.
12. Jaydn Su’A: 6
Only spent 13 minutes on the ground, but didn’t do anything wrong in them. Made a crucial tackle when Isaah Yeo broke the line late in the game.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Definitely a 10/10 considering he was a bench player on debut and played 56 mins.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Allen took a long time to settle in first grade...in 2019 I thought he was one of the worst first graders I’d seen and was wondering what the fuss was about He seemed to want to avoid the ball and take himself out of position to get it...he was killing it at the back end of this season
The Barry
Roar Guru
Allen gave a beautiful ball for Holmes try and another for the Holmes try that should have been He had a few errors, but he ran for 149 metres, had a try assist (should have been two), a line break, a line break assist and he arguably prevented JAC from scoring with his professional foul That’s not a bad debut...I think he’s copping more of a bagging than he necessarily deserves, especially considering he’s their fourth choice fullback behind Ponga, Brimson, Holmes
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t know that this happens if Tedesco isn’t concussed If he’s conscious he either jumps back up or resists when Arrow grabs him A lot of people are making out that this specific incident happens all the time...but I really don’t recall it happening often at all Put a line under this one - I agree that Arrow probably didn’t know that Teddy was out - but if we’re trying to be vigilant about concussions picking a player up, shaking him and slamming him into the ground has to be a hard no Surely that’s not a position anyone is going to argue with...?
Big Daddy
Guest
Think you have to cut Holmes a bit of slack. After 12 months trying out for NFL and he had half his season injured he was starting to show glimpses . Sure he bombed a couple but like all Queenslanders they grow an extra leg at Origin time. He'll be a lot better next year.
Tony
Roar Guru
It's a dog act. Arrow can own it.
Dunning Kruger
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the $500 fine tells you all you need to know. If he weren't concussed (which Arrow was clearly unaware of) it wouldn't even be discussed given it is so common. No one liked seeing his mistake, but if the NRL are going to be consistent, there is sure going to be a lot of $500 contrary conduct tickets written.
Dunning Kruger
Roar Rookie
It wasn't the Corey Allan mistake that gifted NSW a try. It was the DCE mistake not to ground the ball that gifted NSW a try.
U
Roar Rookie
Exactly!
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Reckon you've given Allan five times as many points as he earned
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
I don’t know if blind Freddy is name calling. Did you watch game 2? If you go back and watch JAC and Frizzel hit Sami late and attack the head on numerous occasions. Watch DCE get hit late on several occasions kicking the ball. Last night Cleary and Walker getting hit late after kicking the ball. It’s origin and the ref let it play. If you think someone you don’t know is yelling at you over a comment on the internet then that’s your interpretation. Would you like me to go back and get the exact times of every moment? Would that make you feel better. It’s great it’s an exhibition game to you. Is there anything else I can not dodge? Cheers HK
andrew
Roar Rookie
I agree Daniel and what is more impressive is, like Harry Grant, he hadn't played for about 8 weeks.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I went with a cockroach mate of mine and we were taking bets to when the big stuff up would happen. I think he had one spill from (a very dusty) memory?
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Name calling, guessing one’s allegiance and dodging providing an actual answer the question … Very Trumpian… ???? And nope, I couldn’t care less who wins Origin. As I have been yelled at for suggesting in the past, It is just an exhibition game to me.
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
Andrew01 love the Trympesq comment, it was a nice touch. Did you watch the games? Blind Freddy could see... You must be a NSW supporter
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
HK - That is kind of a Trumpesq argument - claiming wide spread foul play but not having any actual examples. Not saying you are right or wrong, but give us something...
Don
Roar Rookie
There’s been a lot of grubby stuff in this series from both sides. Usually is. If there’s no Tedesco concussion from the knee in his bonce then we’d have no commentary around the Arrow act.
Tony
Roar Guru
I can't say that I noticed the JOC incidents as it wasn't highlighted in the coverage, but if it happened as you say, I wouldn't be happy with it.
matth
Roar Guru
Are you happy for the Fox in Game 2 twice dropping the elbow into the face or head of the defenseless Sami lying on the ground after the tackles had been completed? But I guess because he's The Fox it's okay. I'm still filthy that no one even commented on it. But on the topic at hand Arrow should definitely get a sanction. He'd have to do it every week to reach Maguire levels.
Tony
Roar Guru
A single action like his in game 3 more than qualifies him to join that illustrious company