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Opinion
The Blues get a consolation win and Brad Fittler may get to keep his job next year after their 24-10 triumph prevented Queensland from recording their first clean sweep since 2010.
Here’s how the Blues went in game three.
1. James Tedesco: There wasn’t a player under more pressure in this game and the beleaguered NSW captain responded in style. His two line breaks, 11 tackle breaks and 230+ metres were decisive in getting his side the win. 8/10
2. Brian To’o: Had a scratchy start but then got into his trademark no nonsense, hard running game. Once more he ran for over 200 metres, broke plenty of tackles and finished a great try. His front on tackle on Lindsay Collins saved a possible try. 7/10
Brian To’o is tackled. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
3. Stephen Crichton: The lad is rocks and diamonds. One moment he’s tackling David Fifita brilliantly or intercepting the Maroons when a try looked on. The next he’s giving a dumb penalty, throwing a bad pass or dropping the ball. 5.5/10
4. Bradman Best: It looked like he’d scored a try with his first touch but he was denied by the bunker. Never mind, he finished with two tries on debut to go with his 120+ metres, three tackle breaks and two line break assists. That should shut up the critics. 8/10
5. Josh Addo-Carr: What a great game from the Foxx. Safe in defence, he was a constant threat in attack, running for 140+ metres. His chip and chase try in the first half was outstanding. 7.5/10
6. Cody Walker: How much better did NSW look with a dominant number six?!? Walker terrorised the right-side defence, laying the platform for the win. No question that he benefited from his established combinations with Damien Cook and Cam Murray, he gave the NSW attack real venom. 9/10
Cody Walker. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
7. Mitchell Moses: The Maroons targeted the Eels half in defence but he stood his ground. He ran for 121 metres through his constant probing of the line. He played a strong second fiddle to Walker. 7/10
8. Jake Trbojevic: Great tradesman like performance from the nicest guy in rugby league. Really strong in defence. 6.5/10
9. Damien Cook: He provided great service from dummy half and you could tell he loved playing hooker instead of centre, with Walker and Murray being right around him. 7.5/10
10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard: A great comeback to Origin for RCG. 22 tackles and 114 metres from his 49 minutes. 6.5/10
11. Liam Martin: Tried very hard but it wasn’t his best game. Starting out with a drop in the 6th minute, Martin missed an uncharacteristic eight tackles for the match and only made 33 metres with ball in hand. 5.5/10
12. Keaon Koloamatangi: The big unit had a solid match, making 34 tackles and 82 metres. His defence was ferocious at times. And how good was his tap on for the Brian To’o try. 7/10
13. Cameron Murray: The best lock in the game made a welcome return to the No.13 jersey with big metres, lots of runs and masses of brutal tackles. The centre of the Blues defence looked so much better. 7.5/10
Interchange: 14. Isaah Yeo: The Panthers captain came off the bench to replace Jake Trbojevic in the front row and did pretty well. From his 55 minutes he made 28 tackles without a miss, while running the ball 12 times for 120 metres, and laying on a line break. 7/10
15. Jacob Saifiti: Daniel’s brother Jacob was the NSW hitman in his 26 minutes on the field, laying on some huge and terrifying tackles. 5.5/10
16. Reece Robson: Didn’t come on in the first half and almost as soon as he came on in the second half he gave away a dumb penalty. However, he settled well to make 25 tackles in a solid defensive performance. 5.5/10
17. Clint Gutherson: King Gutho only got three minutes for the game when Addo-Carr limped off at the end. 1/10