NSW had more than enough chances to win the State of Origin series opener but yet again faded in the final stages to lose 26-18.
Here’s how the players rated in game one at the Adelaide Oval.
1. James Tedesco
The NSW captain was In everything. He ran hard and tackled well. 200+ metres in attack with seven tackle breaks. But he fell over for Hammer’s second try and got out-jumped by Lindsay Collins for Munster’s try. 7/10
2. Brian To’o
Some very strong runs and a line break from the nuggety winger. He really caused the Maroons headaches all night with 194 metres and six tackle breaks. 7/10
James Tedesco is tackled. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
3. Stephen Crichton
The rangy centre had some strong runs but his defence is still suspect at this level. Scored a try but dropped a few crucial balls and gave away a penalty. 5.5/10
4. Tom Trbojevic
A pretty quiet night from Tommy Turbo in spite of his 122 metres gained. He looked short of a trot and posed virtually no threat before going off with a head knock. 5/10
5. Josh Addo-Carr
JAC tried really hard to get into the game but didn’t have much luck in the first half. Gave away a penalty and missed four tackles. 5.5/10
6. Jarome Luai
Great pass to Liam Martin for a try, and for Crichton’s try in the 67th. Defence still a bit shaky though, highlighted by his miss on Cobbo in the 57th minute, one of his four misses. 6/10
7. Nathan Cleary
The star half was solid but dropped a ball and his kicks were not quite up to his usual stellar standard. He missed an uncharacteristic six tackles. 6.5/10
8. Tevita Pangai jnr
TPJ had a go but looked a bit raw for this level. Gave away a few penalties and ceded crucial possession in the 57th minute leading to Cobbo’s go ahead try. 4/10
9. Api Koroisau
Tried his guts out. A really committed effort. Had a fair few missed tackles but made a team-high 40 tackles. He really made his presence felt and provided great service from dummy half. His try may have been dubious, but play the whistle people! 7.5/10
10. Payne Haas
The big man was out there and made 123 metres but he really didn’t impose himself like NSW needed him to. However, Freddie only gave him 51 minutes. 6/10
11. Tyson Frizell
I didn’t think the old war horse was a good pick but he proved a real handful and was only denied a try through awesome defence and inconclusive replays. Was quieter in the second half. 6.5/10
12. Hudson Young
Huddo tried hard but it wasn’t his night. In amongst his decent defence and solid runs, there was a dropped ball along with copping lots of stick from the Maroons before Freddie took him off after 30 minutes. 4.5/10
13. Isaah Yeo
The Panthers lock had his usual hardworking game in defence with 38 tackles. He acquitted himself well – forcing a crucial turnover from Lindsay Collins – but didn’t have a massive impact in attack. 7/10
Interchange:
14. Junior Paulo
Started bending the line from the moment he came on with very strong carries, making 89 metres in 30 minutes. He should have got more time the way he was playing, even though he missed tackles. 7/10
15. Cameron Murray
Why was he ever on the bench? The moment he came on the Blues looked faster, sharper and stronger. 29 tackles without a miss. 7/10
16. Liam Martin
The rampaging Panther was awesome in attack and defence, only interrupted by having his forehead split open. Martin scored a great try and terrorised the Maroons in defence. 7.5/10
17. Nicho Hynes
Finally got on in the 69th minute and dropped the short dropout with his first touch and then got beaten all ends up by Munster in the 74th for the Hammer’s second try. 3/10
AJ
Roar Rookie
Yes it's called the Darius Boyd
Col in Paradise
Roar Rookie
"His Thinking"....now that's a big call!!
Antho
Roar Rookie
The game itself last night was a complete dud. Over refereed and felt like an NRL game in my opinion - Adelaide should not get an Origin again. In regards to the teams, Blues play far too much like Penrith and it is predictable. Look at all the attacking shapes they through at Queensland, and you will have seen them before for Penrith, it is a different game. Queensland weren’t great either, despite the ‘Queensland spirit’ dribble we hear year on year from the nine commentary, they scored tries against the run of play, including 2 off penalties early in the game… Klein then put the whistle away for the rest of the first half - bizarre. The Blues need to move on from Tedesco and put Mitchell there. Metres gained unfortunately does not equate to points on the scoreboard. They must put aside the fancy attacking game plan, and get into the grind, they didn’t seem to want to do this last night - bereft of ideas when their cross field kicks and inside balls didn’t work. Queensland will win game 2 convincingly in my opinion, mainly due to the Blues persevering with a halfback who cannot play outside a certain gameplay, a fullback who doesn’t offer anything besides run metres, and a forward pack who seemingly don’t know what to do half the time. Queensland will be much better, playing at home and don’t have to change much, if anything at the selection table - Kaufusi in for Gilbert maybe? Blues need a new brains trust, different ideas, simpler game plan, unfortunately I don’t think Freddy is going to deliver that.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Yeah I don't think there is any chance they drop him this series. He is the current NSW and Australian captain. He last year captained Australia to a World Cup victory, scored two tries and was man of the match in the final. He just doesn't look the same this year. He's been NSW best for years now. Even as a Qlder I'd like to seem him regain some form and not fade out of the rep scene.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nope To’o and Crichton play right for the Panthers and Fox plays left for the Bulldogs
Phil
Roar Rookie
Haas is the only player I've seen this season that delivers genuine offloads that give his team an advantage. He has real skill in that area.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I actually think Kennedy is a better player. Edwards can be good & puts in effort. Yet he’s also very much a confidence player . If he misses the first bomb or whatever else, it can destroy his confidence for the whole game . Which leads to other mistakes. He also lacks Kennedy’s pace.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Michael, Teddy always used to worry me with the ball in hand, too. It wasn't Collin's out jumping or the slip during Hammer's try that made me think that Teddy has issues. It was the lacklustre kick returns. It unfortunately reminds me of Darius Boyd's "running through treacle" phase in his last years as a player. It can't just be as simple as putting Mitchell at 1 for game 2. As a wonderful servant and current captain for his state and country, Teddy deserves to go out on his own terms. But if he is fit, then his form really needs to improve. It certainly hasn't been at his expected high level in club games this year. Teddy would not be of use coming off the bench a la Kurt Gidley. Would you play him on a wing to allow for Mitchell or Edwards or anyone else at the back? You couldn't move Brian To'o. He was as good as any NSW player on the park last night. Would you substitute Fox for Teddy? Could Teddy hide in the centres with a straight swap for Mitchell? You would then have two out of position centres in Turbo and Teddy and both with question marks over fitness. But Teddy deserves some respect on how things are handled.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
No, who knows why you pick 2 5/8? If worse comes to worse Korisau has played 5/8 effectively at club level.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Haas has gained a mighty offload in recent times and his wasn't on display to its best last night either. Maybe coach's rules were to minimise that risk.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Hey, the majority of my Roar posts are based on "wisdom in hindsight". I'll take underrated quality as a compliment :laughing: :laughing: If Nine continue to with the mic-ing up of coaches, my vote would be for Craig Bellamy. Now that would be entertainment. At least for a game or two.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Don't panic they are not picking Dylan Edwards. He's too much an effort player ,not big enough, not showy enough , not a self promoter. But if NSW want to play Panthers ' grind them into the dirt ' footy ' he's the FB you want,
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Was Fox even on his favoured wing?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Trell will make a difference....at the very least he can pass the ball!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I never said Cleary was a rubbish player, but he was poor last night
The Barry
Roar Guru
Of the last 13 Origin games, 18 points would have been a winning score only once - and one draw The attack was ordinary. NSW ran in one try. With the field position and ball they had from minutes 20 to 70 they should have come up with more points They had Fox and Turbo with 19 tries in 22 games and they didn’t see the ball Queensland up and in defence was killing the attack and there was nothing done to counter it…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah I know mate, I was just offering a bit of support on Luai :stoked:
Kurt S
Roar Pro
if Fittler is to take the blame for last night then he must take credit for game 2 last year. Could a poor coach put plenty on that Qld side? If it was all the players in game 2 2022, then they really let their coach down in last night's game. Luai was a man in motion last night but from memory couldn't really link up with too many close runners effectively. And Qld shut down plenty of half chances whilst defending their own tryline. With Cleary not overly interested in doing too much, it really only left Api and Teddy to spark something. Api tried hard. Cleary is copping plenty today, but DCE has been guilty of playing lacklustre style games before. Everyone has bad days. Coaches need to decide if there has been one too many bad days when any player maker falls short. What is Fittler thinking?
Pedro
Roar Rookie
Agree Haas should have played more minutes but not sure if he would be as effective playing 80 in Origin. I also think there are a lot of rubbish stats in league and metres gained is often one of them. I agree with TB below that Cleary was not terrible but he was predictable. I thought Hynes would have been a better option at 7 given he plays more heads up footy. Not sure who you would pick at 6 with Hynes at 7.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
As a Qlder Teddy used to scare me every time he touched the ball, he seems to have lost that now. Latrell at fullback is a much scarier proposition. And Murray at 13, Martin to start and Cook at 9, but keep Luai at 6 we need someone to hate.