The New South Wales Blues have performed a dramatic clean sweep of the 2021 State of Origin series, holding Queensland scoreless at Suncorp Stadium in Game 2. Here are the player ratings for New South Wales.
1. James Tedesco: 9/10
Tedesco reminded everyone why he is the best fullback in the game on Sunday night, hammering the Maroons at every turn.
While excellent in defence, Tedesco made waves in attack, running for 234 metres and assisting a pair of tries. Not just that, but he had a hand in plenty of the Blues’ attacks. A threat all night and one the Maroons simply couldn’t maintain.
Tedesco has a mortgage on both blue, and the green and gold number one jumpers for as long as he wants them.
2. Brian To’o: 7.5
To’o may not have been as good as he was in Game 1, but then, it isn’t expected to play like that two games on the bounce.
He was still outstanding, cracking 200 metres once again and doing what Brian To’o does week in and week out on both ends of the park at club level, despite not having nearly as many opportunities as his teammates on the other edge.
Defensively, To’o was one of the Blues’ best.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
3. Latrell Mitchell: 8.5
Best on ground in Game 1, and only denied the honour in Game 2 because former teammate James Tedesco went to another level.
Mitchell was everywhere once again, particularly during what was an outstanding first half. His intercept and length of the field run for the second try flipped any chance of Queensland wrestling back momentum, while he also came up with a big strip in the lead-up to the first try for Josh Addo-Carr.
4. Tom Trbojevic: 8
Trbojevic had a try and 170 metres in Game 2. He proves oh so dangerous when he is allowed to roam around the field as he has been in the Blues system.
It’s his defence that should win the wraps from the contest though, particularly an effort in the corner as Queensland were just attempting to wrestle momentum back for a late push in the second half.
5. Josh Addo-Carr: 8
Addo-Carr was unbelievably quiet in the opener, but that was as much a result of the Blues attacking the other side of the park constantly. It wasn’t the case last night though, with the Melbourne Storm winger scoring a double and being a threat all night against the Queensland defensive line.
He may have only made 105 metres, but each and every one of them were quality, with Addo-Carr grabbing three line breaks and an assist on his way to a brilliant performance.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
6. Jarome Luai: 7
Maybe a little bit quiet at times, but Luai has taken to the Origin arena superbly.
In a team that scores 26 points and concedes none, it’s inevitable that the halves are going to have excellent games, and Luai did his job without overplaying his hand. He ran the ball when it was needed, looking dangerous on a few occasions, kicked well and defended strongly.
His combination with Cleary looks like it could be a long-term one for the Blues.
7. Nathan Cleary: 8.5
And speaking of Cleary, he has really come of age in this series thus far. As he has done at club level this year, it’s consistency and excellent decision making that have been highlights of his game, making everyone around him look that much better.
His kicking game was the standout in Brisbane, but he also ran the ball well and gave his outside backs every chance to make the Queenslanders pay, which they did time and time again.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
8. Daniel Saifiti: 8
Saifiti’s performance was one of those that creep up on you without realising it’s happening. 54 minutes on the park is an excellent return for a prop in the Origin cauldron, but it was a quality show.
He held his own during a brutal opening quarter of an hour, then proceeded to be very dangerous with the ball in hand. He ended up with 128 metres from 15 runs, a pair of tackle busts, an offload and 34 tackles. Very solid.
9. Damien Cook: 8
Cook may have gone under the radar a little bit, but he was once again an integral part of the New South Wales spine. Cracking 40 tackles yet again, Cook’s service to his forwards allowed the Blues to play on the front foot for much of the night.
He also picked his moments to run the ball superbly, showing superb vision and excellent tenacity. The best dummy-half eligible for the men in blue by the length of the straight.
10. Junior Paulo: 6.5
There was a little bit of a worry with Paulo elevated to the starting side, however, with the exception of being rolled in the opening set of the game, he held his own against the ferocious start from Queensland.
He only played 42 minutes and didn’t quite crack 100 metres, but still had some solid runs and hit hard in defence.
11. Cameron Murray: 7.5
Another of the Blues to crack 40 tackles, Murray’s defence was outstanding in an unfamiliar position. Add to that some excellent runs of the footy, and it adds to his track record of being a superb Origin player.
Given the Blues’ overabundance of strong lock forwards, the second row is where Murray will need to find his home at Origin level, and he hasn’t let anyone down yet.
12. Tariq Sims: 7
If you could pinpoint one player who shows just how good the mood is in the Blues camp, it’s Sims. Inconsistent as anything at the Dragons and one of the only questionable selections in the New South Wales squad, he churned out his second excellent performance on the bounce in Brisbane.
Almost cracked 100 metres and defended well as he did in Game 1. He didn’t have quite as much impact with the ball, but still a strong performance.
13. Isaah Yeo: 7
Absolutely tireless in his stint of a little over an hour, the Penrith lock topped the tackle count for the Blues and ran the ball strongly when the chance presented.
Not only that, but he was an excellent distributor of the ball, creating problems all night for the Queensland defence.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
14. Jack Wighton: 5
Hard to rate the bench utility who was only put onto the part for ten minutes, almost as if a token gesture. He didn’t do anything wrong though, so we will give him a pass.
15. Angus Crichton: 7.5
He didn’t miss a beat in his Origin return, matching his fellow second-rowers. Crichton pent some time in the middle too, providing 16 runs. He missed a couple of tackles, but it didn’t prove costly.
16. Payne Haas: 8
If you’re looking for Blues’ unsung heroes, then it’s hard to go past Haas.
His impact off the bench this series has been phenomenal, to the point you could almost say he put the Blues on the front foot in both contests with his immediate metre gains.
One of the best ball runners in the competition, and he showed it again on his home ground in Game 2. Could the bench be his spot in Origin?
17. Liam Martin: 5
He played a little less than half an hour, but didn’t put a foot wrong. Ran the ball hard, provided some quick play the balls and defended strongly.
Like Wighton, hard to rate, but also hard to say it wasn’t a passable effort.
Crow
Roar Pro
Amusing post but way off the mark. NSW have an amazing team in 2021 but they don’t stack up against other teams in the last decade. Immortals are rated for a reason. In ten years we can make calls but not after two dominant wins.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
Crichton was one of the best players on the pitch!! Simms very underrated, probably the best game i have ever seen him play Murray was sensational You could build a team around these three guys; You just need a coach to get the best out of Simms!! Crichton I think is one of the best players in the game! Once Radley comes into this team!! It’s game over for the Queenslanders!! Radley was born to play origin!
Muzz
Guest
9s and 10s from where I was sitting. Some exceptional plays that will never be forgotten.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Latrell’s a great footy player, fullback or centre he is up there with the best of the best. If he hadn’t been slapped with an incongruous 4 week suspension earlier this year, he’d be leading the Dally M awards (as FB) by plenty. He was well ahead leading the tally before his suspension. Once Greg Inglis left Souths, they have always needed a FB more than a centre, Graham and Gagai are doing very well in the centres, both are deserved Origin reps. as for Latrell he is just fine as FB sitting well within the Souths spine.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
The Blues back 5 are the best in the world, hard to match the skills of these players who are individually brilliant both in attack defence, and slot in well with those around playing as a team. If you could, you’d award any of the 5 a MOM performance, such is the talent.
matth
Roar Guru
Wow, you are peeved by all the games won for your team by Slater, Inglis, Folau, Smith, Munster over the years? Interesting take. to be fair, I'd say there's many supporters who have watched some of their players through gritted teeth. for me, I had to try and support Josh Maguire and Justin Hodges. That can take some doing!
matth
Roar Guru
And Cleary in big games? Remembering this is now two from him in a row, but before that he was Mr. Anonymous. Why? Because halves rely on have a forward pack that breaks even, and having someone to pass to.
matth
Roar Guru
All you showed in that post is that you are not a really good winner. Way to disparage supporters you've never met and players you don't hold a candle to.
TJ
Guest
I think he's more inconsistent than overrated. His best footy is outstanding he just hasn't been producing that very often over the last couple of seasons.
Caractacus
Guest
Teddy was great but the big moments came from Latrell, much like the first game. He’d be a worthy Man of the Series but that could yet go to Turbo, Tedesco or Cleary depending on how game three goes. I thought Murray was fantastic and worth at least an eight, it’s just a shame that he couldn’t hang on to that pass but his part in Turbo’s try was brilliant. I was expecting much more impact from Papalii and Welch but it’s Munster who’s been most disappointing for me, he just hasn’t been able to get into either game at all.
Albo
Roar Rookie
There were no average NSW performers. But I would rate Teddy as the top mark ! Followed by Latrelle & Cleary and then the backrow for mine where Murray, Sims & Yeo were impregnable again.
Col in Paradise
Guest
Tedesco was good but runs round in circles to much....crabs sideways...behind a dominant pack and backs...
Wayne Turner
Guest
One great game,in a big game from Munster,and NSW last year were picking the wrong players too then.He doesn't do it enough. 2018 GF is another example of many,of Munster going missing in big games.Sin binned twice.2019 GF win the comp in spite of him.This year's origin series.Etc,etc..... Munster is massively overrated.
Wayne Turner
Guest
I wouldn't call Gagi good for Souths, especially at centre.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Cleary, Luai, Yeo, Cook - all played smart footy. Did not overplay their hand. Played for the team. Barely missed a tackle. Kept moving the ball, putting it in front of the player and did what they needed to do to put their team in a better position. These guys are real footballers. They leave the brilliance to the guns, like Teddy, Tom T, Trell and JAC, and play their role. Pretty good team when you add in the grafters at 11-12, and strong front rowers.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tedesco = 28 runs, 234 metres, 2 line break assists, 2 try assists, 10 tackle breaks All game highs by a margin…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Teddy’s involvement was incredible, constantly sniping at the Queensland line through the whole game The miles of space and two man overlap for JAC’s first try was all due to him luring in and skipping past two or three defenders… Queensland ran out of numbers just trying to stop him. It happened several times I wouldn’t have argued with Latrell getting MOM - his impact in the first 40 was brilliant - but Teddy was my pick too…
Don
Roar Rookie
I think I’ll quietly disagree. Munster tore NSW a new one in game 3 last year. QLD narrowly won game 1. NSW beat QLD by 24 points in game 2 with Munster missing. Munster returns for game 3 and is best on ground by a long margin. No Munster…No QLD 2020 win.
PB Meister
Roar Rookie
Yep. I’m a Storm supporter. Have been since day 1. It always peeved me that we had QLD’ers in the team. Have been a fan of some of them, Cameron Smith for one. There have however been a couple of grubs amongst them. Poor Munster, didn’t manage to get a kick away last night. Yep… I’d keep Hughes ahead of him any day.
TJ
Guest
He's the best centre in the world but he's also quickly becoming one of the better fullbacks in the world. No need for Souths to play him in the centres when they already have two good centres in Gagai and Graham.