There will be plenty of soul-searching for the NSW Blues after losing another game to Queensland that they started favourites in. Here is how the players rated.
1. James Tedesco: The NSW Captain toiled very hard but was unable to have a decisive impact on the game with ball in hand or in rallying his flagging troops. 6.5/10
2. Brian To’o: DCE and Munster bombed to him all night to limit his kick return metres. He still made 8 tackle breaks and over 200 metres. To’o worked really hard all night but was blunted from being his best. 6/10
3. Kotoni Staggs : Did his shoulder early in the second half, bringing to an end his stuttering debut which featured a few more missed tackles than he would have liked. 4/10
4. Jack Wighton: Clearly the Blues best on the night. Was always dangerous with the ball in hand, scoring a good try, making another line break and running 18 times for 165 metres. Wighton was also brutal in defence, smashing his opponents repeatedly. 8/10
5. Daniel Tupou: Tupou did his best, continually making his trademark dirty runs out of the red zone. He wasn’t able to get his attacking game going and have a big impact. 5.5 /10
6. Jarome Luai: The Panthers 5/8 had a quiet night by his lofty standards and missed a number of tackles too. However, he laid on both the Wighton and Murray tries. 6 /10
7. Nathan Cleary: The worst game Cleary has played for NSW. His control of the Blues attack was quite lacking and his kicking was insipid. Mitchell Pearce was castigated for similar performances. 4.5 /10
8. Payne Haas: The big Bronco worked very hard in defence and was a real handful with ball in hand with great stats. One of the Blues better performers. 7 /10
9. Damien Cook: Cook tried hard all night but with little good effect. He tackled all night, making 56 and missing none. However, his service fell well short of his best – and NSW needed his best. 5.5 /10
10. Junior Paulo: The big unit is such a joy to watch when he’s at his best but this just wasn’t his night. With very few metres from very few runs, his four missed tackles were costly. 4.5 /10
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
11. Cameron Murray: Started off the bench and tried his guts out as always. However, his impact was not as influential as needed and, even with his late try, it wasn’t his best game. 6/10
12 Tariq Sims: Sims had a go in the first half to limited impact. Barely sighted in the second half and had five missed tackles, a few of which were very costly. I’ll be surprised to see him in game two. 4.5/10
13 Isaah Yeo: Got smashed in the first tackle of the game and wasn’t able to play to his best ability in the match. Even so, he made 128 metres from 17 runs. 6/10
Interchange
14 Stephen Crichton: Gave away a penalty with his first involvement and lost the ball on the next. Not the debut he wanted at all. 2/10
15 Liam Martin: Some people questioned Martin’s inclusion in the side but he was tireless all night, making 51 tackles and putting his body on the line repeatedly. A strong effort. 6.5/10
16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Started the game for Paulo and made over 100 metres but faded out of the game, also missing a number of crucial tackles. 5 /10
17 Ryan Matterson: Didn’t do anything wrong, with decent metres and no missed tackles, but he didn’t stand out at all. 5 /10
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
think Turbo & Latrell played massive parts in those wins, me mum could have passed them two the ball & they’d have busted 2 tackles and run over 3 blokes to score
Chris
Guest
Don’t think you will. As that GF is gone. They were robbed on a couple of calls. However, it was hardly Manly / Hartley versus Parramatta robbed. The Raiders didn’t do enough in attack to win.
Justin
Guest
What about Reece Robson at hooker? Surely he’s been a stand out this season?
Paul
Guest
Nathan Cleary has played in the last 4 SOO series. NSW has won 3 out of 4 of those series. Not saying that he’s been fantastic in all those series, games. Yet, how does Peace’s record compare to this?
Badseed
Roar Rookie
Teddy alaways busy running around in circles. Haven’t noticed his try line defence these past years. Perhaps 5th maybe 6th best fullback. Nowhere near the top 3.
Badseed
Roar Rookie
Tim…….
astro
Roar Rookie
Was interesting listening to Brandy last night. He said the plan wasn't to play Martin for the full 80mins, but the Yeo head knock meant he had to stay out there. I think playing a full 80mins was a bit too much for him. Hopefully in Game 2, he can have more impact in fewer minutes.
Badseed
Roar Rookie
When Manly were at the top a decade ago they would only have one or two players selected for Origin. There are benefits to being hated by the NRL
Tim Gore
Expert
I’ll never ever be over the 2019 GF. My name is Tim Raider Gore. Fan of a side robbed by a trainer. Zealot of a side murdered by an incompetent ref. And I will have my revenge in this life or the next.
Tim Gore
Expert
Yep. Good point
Rellum
Roar Guru
Luai 's kicks put more pressure on us than Cleary's as well
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I wish they had been down to 2
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Yeah but if Freddy wants someone to slow down the ruck and hold players down, then Jurbos the perfect man for the job (or Jurb, if you will)
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THEFT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT AND COURAGEOUS COMEBACK AGAINST THE DETESTED SWINE ENEMY
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
His ability to land bombs on the Queensland 10 metre line time after time was remarkable.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hold down, or hoedown? Cause last night at times NSW looked like a bunch of hillbillys fiddling about
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Oh it's counted. It's definitely counted.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I'd love to have one Panthers player, Cleary, chosen. He was rubbish. Now rest them all for Sunday so at least the Knights might get within 40
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Are you describing Klemmer?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Nah not Fox. But that other Bulldogs flyer, Dufty, wouldve