Origin II is done and dusted. And so are NSW for another year.
Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong on Wednesday night for the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
Tom Trbojevic went off after just three minutes with a pec strain and it all kept going downhill for the rest of the match with the Maroons running out 32-6 winners.
Here is how the NSW Origin players rated.
1. James Tedesco: So long a vital part of the NSW side, the sun is surely setting on Teddy’s time in sky blue. While there is no doubting his effort, his impact is clearly not what it once was. Leading a side that needed an attacking edge he was once again unable to provide it. 6/10
2. Brian To’o: To’o tried his guts out. He was not found wanting when it came to taking dirty runs. However, he was unable to provide NSW with any real venom in attack. 5.5/10
3. Stephen Crichton: Crichton had a decent game in attack without doing anything that great. However, his defensive misses again proved costly. 4.5/10
4. Tom Trbojevic: Turbo conceded a penalty in the second minute and then immediately injured his pec and
left the game. 0/10
5. Josh Addo-Carr: I love the Foxx, and he did some really tough runs, but he was continually in poor position in attack on the wing when the Blues may have really threatened. He failed to diffuse the DCE kick in the ninth minute that allowed the first Holmes try, as well as the kick that led to the Nanai try. 4/10
Jarome Luai looks to pass. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
6. Jarome Luai: He is a great five-eighth for the Panthers but he has never really showed anything special at all at Origin level. This game was no different. 5/10
7. Mitchell Moses: If NSW had any chance it came from Moses. He brought ambitious attack and great kicking at every opportunity. Those opportunities were very few, especially in the second half. However, Moses can hold his head up. 7.5/10
8. Junior Paulo: The first 20 minutes from the big unit were really top class stuff. His second stint wasn’t as good though, and by then the game was gone. 6/10
17. Reece Robson: Started at hooker and played all 80 minutes there. His service from dummy half was really sharp at times ad his defence was strong but he took a few poor options. 6/10
10. Payne Haas: Payne worked his arse off. He had 20-plus runs for over 150 metres, while making over 40 tackles. Along with Moses, he can hold his head high. 7.5/10
11. Tyson Frizell: He did nothing wrong but the 31-year-old really provided little threat in attack. You have to wonder whether starting him over the likes of Cam Murray was a great idea. 5.5/10
Mitchell Moses is tackled. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
12. Hudson Young: His second outing for NSW was a big improvement on his first. He made seven tackle breaks, 80 metres with the ball in hand and laid the ground work for the only NSW try. 5.5/10
13. Isaah Yeo: 120 metres with the ball and 48 tackles without a miss are pretty good stats. He tried his guts out but wasn’t able to force the advantage in attack. 6.5/10
14. Stefano Utoikamanu: Only got 14 minutes in the match. Had no real impact. 3/10
15. Cameron Murray: Didn’t get on the field until the game was pretty much gone. Why he isn’t starting is beyond me. In his 30 minutes he made 18 tackles without miss, 2 tackle breaks and almost 100 metres with ball in hand. 6/10
16. Liam Martin: Coming on in the 20th minute, Martin was immediately tough as hell, in attack and defence. However, he missed five tackles for the match, a few of them quite costly. 5/10
9. Damian Cook: He came on early to replace Trbojevic at centre. He had a rough night playing in a very unfamiliar position. He fluffed a few attacking options and a fair few Queensland tries went through his side. His try in the 57th minute was little consolation for his tough night at the office. 4/10
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Latrell Mitchell will not play origin 3. He is not playing in Townsville tomorrow and I can not see him flying to NZ mid week for Friday nights Warriors game. That would see him go into Origin 3 having not played for over six weeks ? Would Fittler gamble on him? Don't think Souths would impressed. Mitchell will pull the pin on rep football as per Wighton. He had to be coaxed into the World Cup team by Meninga
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
A bit generous? He passed the ball once and that went over the sideline. He injects himself wherever and whenever he likes and the ball dies with him. He is not a good defensive fullback. But somehow gets rated a 6? Mitchell Moses at least tried to bring something different in the early sets, kicked well and was pretty solid and only gets a 7.5. Teddy is past it, has been for a while but will go 'round one more time, much to QLD's amusement.
The Barry
Roar Guru
1000% NSW biggest problem…
Robbo
Roar Rookie
True but then officials didn't think the first try was dropped either
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Well the MRC didn't agree. He was charged for his "kiss". We all see what we want to see.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Maybe Martin and that's all she wrote.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Sore loser
Robbo
Roar Rookie
It was hardly a head butt - just South of one of those kiwi nose kisses
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I expect that strategy was based on Cooks explosive speed over 10-15 metres.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I think a lot were playing injured
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure what you expect; surely the player chosen as the utility needs to play the position in need; Hynes and Cook didn’t get out in the centres because of some master plan, but because something didn’t go to plan and they were considered the best option. Should someone else have been out in those positions (ie selected); probably.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
My pick for game 3 – 1 Dylan Edwards 2 Alex Johnston 3 Latrell Mitchell. 4 Campbell Graham 5 Brian Too. 6 Matt Burton 7 Mitch Moses. 8 Junior Paulo 9 Damien cook 10 Payne Hass 11 Isaiah Yeo. 12 Liam Martin 13 Cam Murray. 14 Reece Robson 15 RCG 16 Dave Klemmer / Spencer Leniu 17 Hudson Young. 18 Ryan Matterson
Cam
Roar Rookie
You raise a great point, Qld had a balanced bench both games with clear roles that were obvious to even a casual observer. NSW's bench were a headscratcher.
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Playing cook next to luai meant two small men defending next to each other it was a great target for Nanai to run at
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Thank you, fark. And happy to bring you onboard in whatever role you want for as long as you want it
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Looking at his club and representative record, playing under Fittler is typically a no-win situation.
Kelpie Dave
Roar Rookie
Yep - it's a sad end for Teddy. He was untouchable a few years ago. Now he looks desperate. Poor decision-making, no combinations on the field. As a Queenslander Dylan Edwards or Scott Drinkwater scare the bejesus out of me. Turbo would be a better option too if he can get fit. Latrell is too inconsistent. I laugh when I hear Gutho's name suggested. We've already seen him out of his depth in origin. He is undoubtedly a great support player at club level, but he is not in the class of the other fullbacks. I don't think there is a team that can beat Qld in game 3, but NSW needs to do something different. Here's a starting 13 that, if fit, might have some mongrel in them. Worst case, it would be fun to watch. Fullback: Dylan Edwards Wing: Ado Carr Wing: Brian To'o Centre: Campbell Graham Centre: Kotoni Staggs Lock: Cam Murray Second Row: Liam Martin Second Row: Olaku'atu Front Row: Payne Haas Front Row: RCG ( I don't think there are many *great* options for NSW in the front row. RCG can go missing and can be a marshmallow. Mobility and big minutes are required here. ) Hooker: Api (Cook if Api is not fit) Half B: Cleary (Sorry Moses - you are ok, Cleary will be a great. Reynolds if Cleary is not fit.) F Eig: Cody Walker (I'm stuck with this one - this is a long-term issue for NSW. Lui is not the answer. He doesn't have the mental game)
Cam Watts
Roar Rookie
You got a right royal slapping - dont kid yourself Nate! :laughing:
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
He was head butted first. A tick from me. You don't let somebody assault you. Walsh deserved to be hit back.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I reckon you should send your CV into NSWRL - there’s a position coming available in a couple of weeks for bright lad like you