Player ratings: Rookie’s 2.5 raises awkward question

Queensland has drawn first blood in the 2023 State of Origin series, fighting back from behind with 12 men to score a stunning 26-18 victory.

The Blues looked to have the game at their mercy when Maroons prop Thomas Flegler was sent to the bin soon after NSW had hit the front but with all the odds against them Queensland found an unlikely knockout punch at the death.

The Mole rates all 34 players who took part in an extraordinary game, giving a 2.5 to Nicho Hynes that raises an awkward question about NSW’s selection.

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QUEENSLAND MAROONS

1. Reece Walsh

Safe under pressure and played a key role in both of Cobbo’s tries with smart passes.

Rating: 8

Walsh’s beautiful moment with daughter

2. Selwyn Cobbo

Capped a solid game with his first two Origin tries – and it will prove the first two of many.

Rating: 8

3. Valentine Holmes

Gave Cobbo plenty of clean ball, including the pass for the second try of the game.

Rating: 7

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Justified his selection ahead of Dane Gagai with two sizzling tries including the match-winner.

Rating: 8

Hammer stuns NSW with individual brilliance

5. Murray Taulagi

Superb in defence, coming up with two crucial try-saving tackles in the first half to deny the Blues.

Rating: 7.5

6. Cameron Munster

Too smart and slippery for the Blues, laying on both of Tabuai-Fidow’s tries with smart touches.

Rating: 8.5

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

Led his team around the park well as captain and kicked a vital 40/20.

Rating: 7

15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Made plenty of metres with the ball and took a power of stopping when on the charge.

Rating: 8

9. Ben Hunt

Solid without showing his outstanding Dragons form in his 53 minutes at hooker.

Rating: 6

16. Reuben Cotter

Not his strongest attacking game but led the Maroons defensive line with 48 hits.

Rating: 7.5

11. Tom Gilbert

Unlucky – lasted less than 20 minutes before dislocating his shoulder in his

Rating: 2

12. David Fifita

Justified his recall, running for over 100 metres and making his presence felt on the edge.

Rating: 6.5

13. Patrick Carrigan

Made more metres than any Queensland forward and strong throughout his 72 minutes.

Rating: 7.5

8. Thomas Flegler

Had a quiet game but was unlucky to be sin-binned for a soft hit.

Rating: 4

10. Lindsay Collins

Came up with some big hit and then sealed the win with a fine leap to catch a bomb and offload to Munster.

Rating: 7

Collins climbs high for freakish try assist

14. Harry Grant

Couldn’t produce any of his Melbourne magic in his 59 minutes but gave good service from dummyhalf and tackles solidly.

Rating: 6

17. Jai Arrow

Did his job from the bench, doing plenty of work in his half hour on the field.

Rating: 6

NSW BLUES

1. James Tedesco

A mixed game – broke the magic 200 metres running mark but missed a couple of vital tackles.

Rating: 7

2. Josh Addo-Carr

Solid in his Origin recall until he was badly beaten by Tabuai-Fidow for the try that turned the game.

Rating: 5.5

3. Tom Trbojevic 

Still not quite back to his dynamic best before being forced off with a HIA.

Rating: 5

4. Stephen Crichton

Didn’t do a lot – but he’s a renowned big game tryscorer and came up with a four-pointer when it really mattered.

Rating: 6

Blues grab lead as Crichton dives over

5. Brian To’o

Also ran for 200 plus metres and got the Blues out of trouble on several occasions with his probing bursts.

Rating: 7

6. Jarome Luai

Laid on two tries but not really at his best in the clunky Blues’ backline.

Rating: 6.5

7. Nathan Cleary

Not his finest Origin game – didn’t trouble Queensland with his running, missed six tackles but kicked well.

Rating: 6.5

8. Tevita Pangai Jnr

Tried to lift the tempo for the Blues with his aggression but gave away a silly penalty and came up with an error.

Rating: 5

9. Api Koroisau

Scored a vital solo try for the Blues and gave his forwards smart service from dummyhalf. Topped the tackle count.

Rating: 6.5

Koroisau genius leads to controversial try

10. Payne Haas

Only played 51 minutes but still ran for over 130 metres – more than any Blues forward.

Rating: 7

11. Tyson Frizell

Only average in his 52 minutes – one of several players who could face the chop for game two.

Rating: 5

12. Hudson Young

The big occasion got to him and he made some errors – leaving Brad Fittler with a dilemma as to his future.

Rating: 4

13. Isaah Yeo

A busy game but was well marked by the Queensland defence and given little time or space.

Rating: 5

14. Junior Paulo

Another Blues player well down on his best – made just 89 metres in his half hour on the field.

Rating: 4.5

Joey takes aim at really poor NSW moment

15. Cameron Murray

Like many of his Blues team-mates, was solid without managing to come up with any big plays as Queensland dominated up front.

Rating: 5.5

16. Liam Martin

Did a great job from the bench, scoring the Blues’ opening try and adding plenty of aggression.

Rating: 7

17. Nicho Hynes

Only got 12 minutes out in the middle and was unable to change the trend of the game.

Rating: 2.5

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