Queensland Maroons blooded four rookies but it was Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster who stood tallest in an epic victory over New South Wales. Here’s how the players rated.
1. Kalyn Ponga: Just what the doctor ordered after some questioned his selection. Was reliable in defence, solid under the high ball, bided his time in attack but got involved plenty enough, the highlight a lovely cutout for Valentine Holmes’ 54th minute try. 8/10
2. Selwyn Cobbo: Got absolutely swamped on his first touch and Jack Wighton blasted through him for the game’s first try, but Cobbo was a more than worthwhile contributor on his Origin debut. Did some really good things; a tough take from a Cleary bomb under pressure in the first half, a nifty piece of work making something from nothing to grubber on his non-preferred foot for Dane Gagai to score, and tough runs to get the Maroons out of trouble. 7/10
3. Valentine Holmes: Switched from centre to the wing to cover Xavier Coates’ injury and was magnificent. Kept Kotoni Staggs in check and made two critical defensive plays to stop NSW tries – one on the halftime bell and a phenomenal piece of work with barely 10 minutes left to snuff out what looked a certain score from a kick ahead by Tedesco. 8/10
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
4. Dane Gagai: Had his hands full with Jack Wighton – copped a try when he whiffed on the NSW centre, but got one of his own finishing off that great heads up play from Cobbo. Scrambled well to do what he needed to do in defence. 6.5/10
5. Xavier Coates: Coates’ night was finished after just 28 minutes when he injured his ankle tackling Kotoni Staggs. To then he’d been effective wrangling Staggs and been decent enough with ball in hand. Put hearts in mouths going for an early death or glory intercept attempt that killed an early Blues attack, but could have gone his way if he’d stuck it. 5/10
6. Cameron Munster: “I barely know what I’m doing” Munster said after a game where he was an absolute dynamo from the first second – flying out of the defensive line, flying around in the attacking line, flying back covering defence right on halftime, stealing the ball from Stephen Crichton with 6 minutes left 10 metres from his own line… Munster was everything you want to see in Origin and more. Easily the best player on the ground. 9.9/10
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c): After a somewhat dusty first half Cherry-Evans had a big influence on the second, notably when he stooged James Tedesco and Tariq Sims to stroll over from a scrum for the Maroons’ second try. Also made a great play to win the ball back when NSW were coming hard. His kicking was what it needed to be. 8/10
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui: A really, really good outing. Made tough runs early then drove the Maroons forward in the second half when they needed it most, while handling his share in defence. 7.5/10
9. Ben Hunt: Hunt delivered what Billy Slater wanted – fast service to give Munster and Cherry-Evans the stage, and reliable defence. Made good choices on when to make a move too, highlighted by his second half break which left NSW needing to go the length to tie the game. 6/10
10. Josh Papalii: Slater used him as a wrecking ball – the Raiders prop blew everything out in the first 15 with strong runs and massive hits on Kotoni Staggs, Payne Hass and everyone else he touched, before coming back with seven minutes left to do it all again. 7/10
11: Kurt Capewell: Strong runs for good metres (145m), a lot of post contact gains (60m). Almost laid on a break but got pinged a harsh forward pass call. His presence helped wrangle Blues runners when they looked like breaking through during the second half. 7/10
12: Felise Kaufusi: Reliable, strong defence that held up the middle. Didn’t do anything with the ball, but he’s not there to do anything with the ball. 6/10
13: Reuben Cotter: A fantastic State of Origin debut. Brought fantastic intensity on both sides of the ball with 51 tackles and 114 running metres, making sure he was involved wherever and whenever he could. Yet another Queenslander who’s ‘built for Origin’… 8/10
Interchange
14. Harry Grant: Grant has settled into Origin like a veteran and his quick work from dummy half and nose for a gain kept the Blues on the back foot and unsettled. If he’d played more than 45 minutes, maybe this score would be higher. 6.5/10
15. Lindsay Collins: Another forward who kept the ball out of New South Wales hands and his team rolling forward. Collins threw himself into his work and delivered exactly what his team needed. 6.5/10
16: Patrick Carrigan: The best forward on the ground who gave the Maroons a massive injection of vigour and energy when he took the field. Carrigan was immense, announcing his arrival by plastering Jack Wighton, then rolling on to notch the most metres (183) and most post contact metres (71) of any forward. Where has this come from, Patrick Carrigan? 8/10
17: Jeremiah Nanai: The night’s Lazarus act – Nanai looked done with an ankle injury after he’d had one touch, but returned with 20 to go. Barely touched the ball, but made some good defensive plays. 4.5/10
Tom
Guest
I still reckon Game 1 2020 was Cherry's best game - made a huge number of tackles and masterminded a win over a vastly superior (on paper) NSW team, whereas the teams last night were fairly lineball.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'm also wondering who are all these midgets the NSW selectors should be picking at the moment apart from Murray, To'o and Luai? Luai will be dropped if his form isn't good enough, not because of his size. Fittler chose the smaller Luai at 5/8 over the much bigger Wighton who is a recent Clive Churchill winner at 5/8. Why? Because Luai,s form was better despite being a midget.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Not even ruffled after Lawton dumped him on it.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Sure , I think the point i am trying to make is that a certain type of player especially in the forwards. I think they are just not chosen enough for NSW . The Finucane one is an great example. He would be first one picked in a QLD side. ( yeah I know he is not availble right now but he has only played 5 Origins. )
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I'd argue that having a smaller playing pool has helped the QLDers over the years. And the larger playing pool has hindered NSW. Remember when the Origin line from QLDers was that NSW don't get it because QLD pick & stick? Well that goes out the window once players appear with better form (this year a case in point). NSW will take a fair bit of confidence from Game 1. Couldn't have played worse (look at the player ratings!) and yet if the game went 2mins longer they likely level things up. Not bad for a team that was terrible and doesn't understand the Origin concept!
Bunney
Roar Rookie
What you are saying is simple. Unfortunately it reveals you don't understand the game very well. The game and the roles each player performs are more complex and nuanced than your ranking system can account for.
Anthony Rayner
Guest
Munster was good but he wasn’t a 9.9
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
It’s pretty simple. The score reflects the overall contribution a player has made n the game. If one player plays 40 minutes and another player plays 80 minutes, the 40 minute player has to cram an equal contribution into that 40 minutes than the other player spreads across 80 minutes if they want to get the same score. That doesn’t necessarily mean twice as many tackles, hit ups, line breaks etc - it could be some extra dominant tackles, heavy carries or important plays. If Grant had been able to play 80 minutes and maintain the same rate of positive contributions per minute, his score would be higher. If he had to take his foot off the gas a bit to be able to last 80 minutes, the score would be similar. If playing 80 minutes was too much for him and his performance suffered badly, it would be lower.
Adam
Roar Guru
The aerial assault was there, just different to what we all expected. A lot of kicks were landing between the back 3 and the defensive line. Causing players to be running forwards to their own players retreating. It didn't offer much fruit last night but it had the real potential to create knock ons.
Adam
Roar Guru
Cameron is there for his wonderful hair
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Cameron Murray will never get a game for NSW? He's the same size as Cotter and has been in the team for years. It makes you wonder why these superior QLD selectors and coaches aren't able to do much in the NRL?
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
To begin with I’m not disagreeing or hassling. But would that all more point to that ‘the NSW selectors don’t get Origin’?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
It’s Freddie, not ‘they’. You’d think as batty as he can be, he’d pick Carrigan. Considering the Locky,Inglis, Smith, Thurston years..I ll take 45%.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I said that about Grant after his time at the Tigers. Anyone who shines in that system is a superstar. He finished the year as a Tigers cult hero. I wish he was still there.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
It's never really been about winning or losing . To be frank, considering the number of people playing the game, the depth of talent and the relative amount of money in the respective RL economies, NSW should win 75% of Origin games. They currently sit at 45% win rate. So yeah they don't get it. Not playing JAC, not picking Finucane for every Origin he has ever been available for , not picking Angus Chriton all demonstrate it to me. They wouldn't pick Cotter or Collins in a fit and I really doubt they would pick Carrigan either. When NSW get to 70 percent Origin wins Iwillm concede they get it.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
It's about expectation and impact GH Papalii only played 22mins, and his rating should be impacted by that, as the expectation would be 40-50mins for a starting prop. Grant was selected on the bench, so he was always going to play 35 - 60mins, barring injury shuffles. He played 43mins and had a huge impact. Came on when Qld were 4-0 down and went off with Qld 16-4 up. He, along with Carrigan and Collins won the battle of the middle to give Qld the ascendancy and more attacking field position. His coach didn't select him to play 80mins, so his rating should reflect that expectation, and not the 80min expectation. Ask yourself, who had more impact on the match - Grant or Cook? Cook played 80mins and was the top tackler. But he's not getting the ratings love that Grant is because he had a mixed night with his service from dummy half, and he wasn't able to help generate any forward momentum like Grant did.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Best Origin game I have ever seen from Cherry-Evans. Cotter was a revelation, Holmes was superb and Munster, what can you say? I thought he'd been cloned and there were two Cameron Munsters out there. Billy Slater could not have asked for a better coaching debut. He had the Maroons prepared for everything.
Paul
Guest
Martin? Small forward . Did all he could. The same number of tackles, 51.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
If two props play at the same level of skill and intensity, but one of them plays 60 minutes and one plays a full 80 minutes, the 80 minute player deserves a higher score. That’s common sense. I’d be very surprised if anyone would argue to the contrary.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
So, the reigning SOO champions and winner of 3 of the last 4 series don’t get it ? Qld better hope we never get it.