State of Origin Game One: Player Ratings for Blues and Maroons

New South Wales Player Ratings

1. James Tedesco
   
   Tedesco had a mixed performance in the first half, but he delivered a sensational catch to score the match-winning try in the final minute. Earlier, he was caught off guard for two tries from grubber kicks and missed a try-scoring chance with a sloppy pass.
   
   Rating: 6.5/10

2. Brian To’o
   
   To’o led the Blues in run metres but made three uncharacteristic errors in his own half, which gifted Queensland try-scoring chances.
   
   Rating: 5/10

3. Stephen Crichton
   
   Crichton made two unforced errors coming out of his own end, the first of which led to Queensland’s opening try. However, he made up for it with a big second-half break that set up Ethan Strange’s try.
   
   Rating: 6/10

4. Kotoni Staggs
   
   Staggs didn’t get his hands on the ball until the 25-minute mark but was the busiest defender in the back five and lifted in attack in the second half.
   
   Rating: 6/10

5. Tolutau Koula
   
   Koula has never played on the wing at NRL level but made a good fist of it with some good yardage carries and great leaps under the high ball. He produced a try-saving tackle and made the line-break that led to Kalyn Ponga’s send-off.
   
   Rating: 7.5/10

6. Ethan Strange
   
   Strange had a great Origin debut as Mitch Moses’ replacement at five-eighth. He scored a great second-half try, had another denied by the bunker, and flattened Cameron Munster with a huge tackle to produce a turnover.
   
   Rating: 8.5/10

7. Nathan Cleary
   
   Cleary had to dominate the kicking with no Moses in the side and did it superbly, putting in a slick no-look grubber for Hudson Young’s try and drilling a 40-20 in the second half. He also scored himself the try to get NSW within four points late.
   
   Rating: 8.5/10

8. Addin Fonua-Blake
   
   Fonua-Blake endured a tough start to his Origin debut and was partly to blame for Queensland finding space down the middle on a few occasions. He had just one run in his brief first stint but was much more impactful in his second.
   
   Rating: 5.5/10

9. Reece Robson
   
   Robson was solid at dummy half and was unlucky not to have a try assist with a neat grubber for Cameron Murray. He was subbed off with half an hour left.
   
   Rating: 6.5/10

10. Mitchell Barnett
    
    Barnett defended with aggression early on but produced the first error of the game and made limited impact with the ball.
    
    Rating: 5/10

11. Hudson Young
    
    Young tackled hard, ran hard, and chased down Cleary’s grubber for the Blues’ first points. He was the standout in the starting pack.
    
    Rating: 8/10

12. Haumole Olakau’atu
    
    Olakau’atu made an impact in defense, twice cutting down Cobbo after a great kick chase, and made a few tackle busts when given the chance to run. He struggled with cramp for most of the second half then dropped a tough pass with the tryline begging.
    
    Rating: 5.5/10

13. Isaah Yeo
    
    Yeo, the Blues captain, led the tackle count and hit-up count in the first half in a typically strong no-frills performance.
    
    Rating: 7/10

14. Cameron Murray
    
    Murray added plenty of spark off the bench and caused Queensland headaches with his offloads. He got to a Reece Robson grubber but knocked on while attempting to score.
    
    Rating: 8/10

15. Victor Radley
    
    Radley came on for his Origin debut after 25 minutes and injected some energy. He thumped Harry Grant with one highlight tackle in the second half.
    
    Rating: 6.5/10

16. Jacob Saifiti
    
    Saifiti was unused in the game.
    
    Rating: N/A

17. Blayke Brailey
    
    Brailey came on for the final half hour and provided good service out of dummy-half.
    
    Rating: 6.5/10

18. Casey McLean
    
    McLean excelled on the left wing after replacing Tolu Koula following a head knock. He produced a great leap and counterattack from a bomb that led to Ethan Strange’s try.
    
    Rating: 6/10

19. Matt Burton
    
    Burton made a brief cameo in the final few minutes.
    
    Rating: N/A

Queensland Player Ratings

1. Kalyn Ponga
   
   Ponga threw a great pass to Cobbo that led to the Maroons’ second try and was outstanding under the high ball until sensationally sent off for a high tackle on Toula Koula with 23 minutes remaining.
   
   Rating: 7/10

2. Selywn Cobbo
   
   Cobbo was safe under the high ball, carried the Steeden back from kicks with purpose, and made the break that put Queensland in position to score their second try.
   
   Rating: 7.5/10

3. Robert Toia
   
   Toia scored the opening try of the series, winning the race to a Sam Walker kick, and did all that was asked of him defensively as well. He knocked on in the second half and kicked when he shouldn’t have near the Blues’ line.
   
   Rating: 7/10

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
   
   Tabuai-Fidow scored his 12th Origin try in only 11 games and played a leading hand in Tom Flegler’s try as well.
   
   Rating: 7/10

5. Jojo Fifita
   
   Fifita didn’t quite have his mojo working on debut with limited involvement, especially in the first half.
   
   Rating: 5/10

6. Cameron Munster
   
   Munster laid on the third try to Tabuai-Fidow with a great kick. His blemish was making the Maroons’ first handling error and missing the tackle on Strange before he scored a try that was overturned by the bunker.
   
   Rating: 7.5/10

7. Sam Walker
   
   Walker had an outstanding start to his Origin career, laying on the opening two tries with a trademark pinpoint short kick before putting over Flegler. He also kicked four goals from four attempts, kicked superbly in general play, and defended well.
   
   Rating: 8.5/10

8. Thomas Flegler
   
   Flegler played 30 minutes in two stints and scored a try on his return to Origin after missing two seasons with a career-threatening injury.
   
   Rating: 6.5/10

9. Harry Grant
   
   Grant had a wholehearted 80-minute performance and his dummy-half smarts set up the first two tries.
   
   Rating: 7/10

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
    
    Fa’asuamaleaui was a tower of strength up front as always in his 45 minutes of game time.
    
    Rating: 6/10

11. Reuben Cotter
    
    Cotter played the entire first half and didn’t put a foot wrong in 57 minutes in total.
    
    Rating: 7/10

12. Kurt Capewell
    
    Capewell conceded a needless penalty that led to the Blues’ first try but otherwise was sound.
    
    Rating: 7/10

13. Max Plath
    
    Plath had a typically industrious display in what should be the first of many Origins for the Dolphins workhorse.
    
    Rating: 7/10

14. Briton Nikora
    
    Nikora only got 43 minutes of game time and didn’t really feature, apart from conceding an escort penalty in the second half, but the Blues couldn’t capitalise.
    
    Rating: 5/10

15. Lindsay Collins
    
    The Roosters prop was sparingly used, playing only 27 minutes.
    
    Rating: 5/10

16. Patrick Carrigan
    
    Carrigan injected himself off the bench after 20 minutes and worked himself to a standstill during his time on the field.
    
    Rating: 6.5/10

17. Trent Loiero
    
    Loiero only played 15 minutes and had few opportunities to stand out.
    
    Rating: 4/10

18. Ezra Mam
    
    Mam has yet to take the field.
    
    Rating: N/A

19. Gehamat Shibasaki
    
    Shibasaki has yet to take the field.
    
    Rating: N/A