Queensland were humbled at the MCG in a 38-18 loss, sending this year’s Origin series to a decider.
All eyes were on Reece Walsh in his return from a concussion, which was suffered seven minutes into game one, but Queensland’s superstar fullback was alarmingly quiet.
Meanwhile, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt went from two veterans ageing backwards in game one to being brutally brought back down to earth.
That was the story of Queensland’s night. They were completely dominated for majority of the game.
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They had limited opportunities in the first half with just 32 per cent of possession ands when they finally start to show some promise it was too little, too late.
Here are foxsports.com.au’s Queensland player ratings following Origin II.
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1. REECE WALSH – 3
Queensland desperately needed some magic from Reece Walsh but their whiz kid failed to deliver. Walsh was barely sighted in the first half, taking just one run for five metres — and one of his kick-offs went out on the full. Finished with 36 metres and a linebreak assist. And in a moment that probably summed up his night, Walsh was rag-dolled by Latrell Mitchell in the second half.
2. XAVIER COATES – 4.5
A quiet night the Melbourne Storm winger. Was caught off his wing and couldn’t stop Brian To’o from scoring NSW’s second try of the night. Took 13 runs for 83 metres and made four tackles — three misses.
3. VALENTINE HOLMES – 4.5
Had the tough task of defending destructive duo Latrell Mitchell and Brian To’o and did not come out on top. Holmes suffered in the first half, making 10 tackles and missing six. He was much stronger in the second though, making another 12 tackles and missing just one. Was one of the three Queensland players to make over 100 metres.
“Amazing what happens with 13 players!” | 09:22
4. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW – 5
The ‘Hammer’ was the star of the show in Game One but this clash was a very different story. He suffered a shoulder injury in the first half after being dragged into the in-goal and eventually left the field. Returned in the second half to put Murray Taulagi into space and to score a try. But also caught off guard in Dylan Edwards’ try.
5. MURRAY TAULAGI – 5.5
Had some tough moments in defence but also proved to be Queensland’s most damaging player. Taulagi came up with a great take in the air early on but was then out-leapt by Zac Lomax for a NSW try. He was also caught in off his wing in Lomax’s second try. But came up with a perfectly-weighted kick for Tabuai-Fidow’s try and scored in the 67th minute. Finished with six tackle busts, four linebreaks and over 130 metres to go with his try and try assist.
BRUTAL hits spark WILD all in brawls | 01:57
6. TOM DEARDEN – 6
Looked dangerous early when he provided a lovely ball to put Jaydn Su’A into space but was troubled at times in defence. He let in Liam Martin for NSW’s first try — although learnt his lesson and caught him around the ankles later in the game. Mitchell Moses also forced him to knock on twice. You couldn’t fault Dearden’s effort though and he tried to unleash his running game in the second half.
7. DALY CHERRY-EVANS – 6
The veteran No.7 went from dominating his opposition to being completely dominated in the first half. Granted, he had limited opportunities, but DCE was brought back down to earth big time. The skipper had some nice moments though in the second half, having a hand in Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi’s tries. He was also pretty solid in defence with 33 tackles, three misses.
8. REUBEN COTTER – 6
Brave in defence — although couldn’t stop a barnstorming Spencer Leniu — making 37 tackles with two misses. Also punched out 93 running metres.
Moses takes out player of the match! | 01:38
9. BEN HUNT – 4.5
Hunt usually goes to another level in a Queensland jersey — in game one he scored a double and made a try-saving tackle. But the 34-year-old halfback-turned-hooker for the Maroons was nowhere to be seen in attack, taking no runs in his 40 minutes on the field. Hunt did however make 23 tackles with two misses.
10. LINDSAY COLLINS – 4.5
Queensland needed more from their leading enforcer. Collins was penalised for high tackle on Crichton and only took six runs for 61 metres. He also missed five tackles. No doubt Collins — the ultimate professional — will be disappointed with his performance.
11. JAYDN SU’A – 4.5
Had a thrilling moment early in the game when he was put into space but then had some moments he’d like back. Su’A slipped off Liam Martin in NSW’s first try, tried to offload which ended up being intercepted and was rattled by Spencer Leniu and Martin, forcing an error.
Incomer Moses puts Martin over first | 00:39
12. JEREMIAH NANAI – 5.5
Barely touched the ball in the first half — in fact he only took one run — but then scored Queensland’s first try in the 54th minute. Was Queensland’s busiest in defence, making a game-high of 39 tackles with three misses.
13. PATRICK CARRIGAN – 7
Was Queensland’s best with 15 runs for 121 metres and 33 tackles, one miss. He was, however sin-binned for his role in the second-half melee… although whether it was sin-bin worthy is up for debate.
14. HARRY GRANT – 3
Well below the star hooker’s best. His face was cut open and he had to finish the game with a headgear on but that’s just about all he was noticed for. Played 42 minutes, finishing with six metres and 14 tackles, four misses.
15. MOEAKI FOTUAIKA – 5
In the 17 mins he was on the field for in first half only took one run but upped his involvement in the second half when Queensland got more ball, finishing with 70 metres from seven runs, three tackle busts and 12 tackles, one miss.
16. FELISE KAUFUSI – 3
Only spent 11 minutes on the field, finishing with three runs for 25 metres and eight tackles, no misses.
17. KURT CAPEWELL – 3.5
His versatility came in handy when he had to play centre while Tabuai-Fidow was off in the first half, but didn’t have much impact on the game.