‘Unhappy’ switch blows up in Queensland’s face

READ MORE: Axed stars spotted at Origin after ‘wedge’ claims

2023 State of Origin Highlights: NSW v QLD – Game III

NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES

1. James Tedesco

Didn’t overplay his hand after heavy criticism in games one and two – his best game of the series. Set up the try that sealed victory.

Rating: 7

2. Brian To’o

Gave his usual metre eating display on the wing, running for over 200 metres and getting the Blues out of trouble from Queensland’s kick-chase.

Rating: 7.5

Blues go sideline to sideline for electric try

3. Stephen Crichton

Fairly quiet in attack, making little impact with the ball, but solid in defence.

Rating: 6

4. Bradman Best

A splendid debut – looked like he was made for Origin football, scoring two tries and having another disallowed.

Rating: 8

Teddy puts Best away for second try

5. Josh Addo-Carr

Scored one of the classic Origin tries with a chip and chase and made several other strong runs as well as being safe under the high ball.

Rating: 8

6. Cody Walker

His inclusion made a huge difference to the Blues, with their attack finally running smoothly after being so clunky in the earlier games. Involved in so many good things the Blues did.

Rating: 9

Walker skewers Maroons for Best try

7. Mitchell Moses

A solid all-round game – took on the line, gave his outside men opportunities and kicked accurately in general play.

Rating: 7

8. Jake Trbojevic

Strong in the middle, leading the Blues’ line in defence. Didn’t do a lot with the ball but his mere presence lifted the Blues.

Rating: 6

9. Damien Cook

His smart service from dummyhalf to his Bunnies’ team-mate Walker was a key factor in the Blues’ win.

Rating: 6.5

10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Hit the defensive line hard when carting the ball up, running for over 100 metres and pulling off some big hits in defence.

Rating: 6.5

11. Liam Martin

Did little in attack but worried the life out of Queensland with his terrier-like defence.

Rating: 6

12. Keaon Koloamatangi

Probably the Blues’ most destructive forward, making the hard yards, hitting with purpose in defence and coming up with a brilliant tip-on in the Blues’ first try.

Rating: 8

13. Cameron Murray

Justified his spot in the starting side with a busy game in attack and defence. Never stopped working and always on the ball.

Rating: 7

14. Isaah Yeo

Brought some energy to the team in his new role off the bench, gaining over 100 metres and having a try disallowed.

Rating: 6.5

15. Jacob Saifiti

Got less than 30 minutes game time and never really put his stamp on the match.

Rating: 5

16. Reece Robson

Like Saifiti, never quite got into the game when given his opportunity from the bench.

Rating: 5

17. Clinton Gutherson

Only got onto the field in the dying stages and didn’t get any chances to show his talents.

Rating: 3

QUEENSLAND MAROONS

Slater: ‘You get what you deserve’

1. AJ Brimson

Did his best to fill Reece Walsh’s big boots but couldn’t come up with the big plays from fullback.

Rating: 6

2. Xavier Coates

The ball didn’t bounce his way – narrowly missed a couple of tries but was still always a threat.

Rating: 6

3. Valentine Holmes

Struggled holding the rampaging Bradman Best and reading the Blues attack and got few chances with the ball.

Rating: 4.5

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Scored his customary Origin try and narrowly missed another – always a danger when given any time or space.

Rating: 6.5

Hammer stuns Blues with perfect response

5. Murray Taulagi

Made more yardage than any Queenslander but like much of the Maroons backline, saw little ball in open territory.

Rating: 6

6. Cameron Munster

Made less impact than in the first two games but still ran for over 130 metres and laid on a try for his team.

Rating: 7

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

Tried to rally his troops as captain but couldn’t come up with the big plays he produced in the earlier games.

Rating: 6

‘It’s all for you’

8. Reuben Cotter

Played the full game, made more tackles than anyone on the field and ran for over 100 metres. Deserved his Wally Lewis Medal.

Rating: 8

9. Harry Grant

Had an unhappy game, making two errors at dummyhalf and giving away three penalties under intense pressure from the Blues.

Rating: 4

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Made more yardage than any forward on the field and came up with some strong hits in defence to complete a fine series.

Rating: 7.5

11. David Fifita

Scored the game’s opening try from a kick and always threatened, but generally well contained by the Blues defence.

Rating: 6.5

Hammer leaps over To o in Maroons opener

12. Jeremiah Nanai

Came back to the field with just eight runs for 80 metres but will learn from his maiden Origin series and be back in 2024.

Rating: 5.5

13. Patrick Carrigan

Continued his fine form from earlier in the series, running for nearly 150 metres and working his butt off in defence.

Rating: 7

14. Ben Hunt

Added some polish to the Maroons’ attack when thrown into the fray but couldn’t turn the tide as the Blues dominated the middle.

Rating: 6

15. Lindsay Collins

Only made 76 metres with the ball but rattled the Blues’ ribs with his fearsome defence to earn his night’s pay.

Rating: 7

16. Moeaki Fotuaika

Had little impact, making just seven runs as the Blues out-enthused the Queensland pack.

Rating: 5

17. Corey Horsburgh

Tried hard in his Origin debut but with only 20 minutes of game time, wasn’t able to re-produce his Canberra heroics.

Rating: 4.5

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State of Origin III 2023 in pictures: All the colour of the Blues v Maroons game three