State of Origin II player ratings: See which unheralded Queenslander rampaged his way to top marks, and the Blues superstar who bombed

After surrendering Origin I to NSW at their home ground, the Maroons had it all to do to keep the series alive as it travelled to Perth for the second clash.

It looked like Queensland would pile on the pain after making big changes and dominating the first half. 

But it’s never over until it is over, with NSW launching a spirited comeback.

Here is who shone, and who had games to forget in the wet, wild and windy conditions at Optus Stadium. 

Queensland

Maroons assistant coach and former champion halfback Johnathan Thurston barks instructions from the sideline

1. Kalyn Ponga 5

Coughed the ball up when challenged with the first high ball of the match. But he quickly settled into the match and was reliable for the most part, if unremarkable. There were half chances and moments where he poked his nose through the line, but it was not the commanding performance Maroons keep hoping for from the Knights star. A crucial knock-on with three minutes to play could have been brutally costly, but fortunately for Ponga, Queensland got out of jail.

2. Xavier Coates 6

Was moved to the left wing in a late change by Billy Slater, in a bid to keep Lomax on a leash. For the most part, he did that. But it also seemed to dull his offensive potency and he was rarely targeted despite being a formidable leaper. Was pretty unlucky to surrender a penalty for a tackle in the air on Lomax, when there wasn’t much he could have done except let the Blues winger land on him. 

Robert Toia will be a star of the future but he had a night to forget – even as his team held on for victory

3. Robert Toia 3

Was a revelation for the Queensland in Origin I but had issues in the conditions in attack early in this one. Then the defensive issues began to flow as the Blues decided to target his edge in the second half. Toia will have a long Origin career, but this one one probably won’t feature in too many highlight reels.

4. Valentine Holmes 6.5

Had a big job to do in stopping Stephen Crichton, but was let of the hook for the most part as the Blues went left instead. When Critta spotted him one-on-one in the second half, he made no mistake and barrelled over the top of him.  His goal kicking ended up being the difference. 

5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 8.5

The mail was the Hammer wasn’t chuffed to be pushed out to the wing. But it proved to be an early masterstroke as Queensland halfback Tom Dearden found him twice to open up an early lead. Save as houses under the high ball, even in dreadful conditions. Showed he is human with an unlucky knock-on trying to trap a kick. 

Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow excelled on the wing with two early tries to put NSW to the sword

Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster was named the new captain of Queensland after Daly Cherry-Evans was dumbed for Origin II

6. Cameron Munster 8.5

First kick goes dead by centimetres and then gave a way a set to start with Queensland grimly defending their own line. But the newly minted captain quickly found his way to put a stamp on the match and was rewarded with a try that pushed the Maroons lead out to 14. There was the occasional glitch, the occasional moment of brilliant, all of Cameron Munster on display in one match. Captaincy fits him well.

7. Tom Dearden 8.5

Had the New South Wales defensive line on the hop much more than the axed Daly Cherry-Evans did in Origin I. Created an overlap and put the Hammer over in the right corner.  Absolutely pin point kick in the 21st minute to put the Dolphins star over for his second. Had his hands in the Capewell try as well, that was almost goodnight for NSW at that point.

8. Moeaki Fotuaika 5.5

Struggled in the conditions and spilled the ball just after his side had scored a try, putting them immediately back under pressure. The Maroons need more from their starting prop than 73 metres and 12 tackles. Remains under pressure. 

Tom Dearden gave the Blues plenty of headaches after securing the No.7 jersey from the dumped Daly Cherry-Evans

Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant shut down his detractors with a willing performance 

9. Harry Grant 8

There was plenty of scuttlebutt during the week that Grant would be better suited to a bench role, after a quiet game in Origin I. Perhaps his detractors forgot he was coming back from injury then, because Grant closed down those talks by returning to his scheming, damaging best.  

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 8

The Gold Coast Titans captain hit the ball up hard and was flawless in defence, but the best work he did was getting under the skin of Blues players. Every time things flared up, big Tino was there in the middle of it. If he came into the match looking to rattle the opposition, top points.  

11. Reuben Cotter 8.5

The Cowboys star had some willing runs that meant missing in Origin I and had 18 tackles without a miss at the halftime mark. It was one of his strongest Origin performances to date, especially in defence with some bone-rattling hits. Almost slid over for a try himself as well.

12. Kurt Capewell 9

Pretty stunning to believe this bloke was left out of calculations for Origin I. He is just one of those blokes that is built for this arena and carried his red-hot Warriors form into Perth. His try late in the first half all-but buried the Blues and he was always threatening on the left edge. His big hits in defence really helped steer this unheralded group of Queenslanders over the line.

13. Trent Loiero 6.5

Full of running after being elevated to the starting side following his Origin I debut, but his momentum was halted when hooked for a HIA after being clobbered by Lomax.  Passed the test but wasn’t quite able to regain that momentum.

Bench

14. Kurt Mann 7.5

The oldest State of Origin debutant since the great Artie Beetson back in 1980 had a great moment of awareness to hit a gap, latch onto a Dearden short ball and then put Capewell over. Did his job and then some

15. Lindsay Collins 8

Surely this bloke gets a start in Sydney. The big man is just built for Origin and relished this contest, one of the Maroons best off the bench. 

16. Jeremiah Nanai 6

Came into the match with 27 minutes left in the match after playing all 80 in Origin I. The opportunities didn’t come this time, but he will be there in Sydney. 

17. Patrick Carrigan 7.5

Came into the action after 23 minutes after the controversial decision from Slater to bench the Broncos star for Origin II. Was tough an old leather boot and will be pressing for a start in Sydney

 

New South Wales

Blues fans could hardly believe what they were seeing as the Maroons tries just kept coming

Three tries to Panthers winger Brian To’o exposed Queensland, but not enough for a Blues win

1. Dylan Edwards 7

Struggled to get involved in attack in the first half but showed great hands to snuff out a Toia kick on his own line.  Shades of Gorden Tallis and perhaps lucky to stay on the field after bellowing ‘that’s a bad call’ into the face of referee Ashley Klein as frustrations boiled over.  Reliable for the most part, though. 

2. Brian To’o 8

Questions over his fitness after battling hamstring issues all season. But showed why he is money in the bank with the first try of the game. Was at the end of a set play early in the second half and made no mistake to give his side a sniff. Made it three as the Penrith connection began to dominate the left edge. 

3. Stephen Crichton 6

A bit of white line fever early on, caught out trying to catch and pass at the same time. Struggled for involvement as he was blanketed by the Queensland defence, but bullocked his way over for a vital try in the second half. 

4. Latrell Mitchell 6.5

 A brain explosion early on put his team under pressure, a needless leg pull eventually paving the way for Queensland points. Was charged with the long kicking game for the Blues with Cleary seemingly struggling. It seemed to be a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, as it meant the damaging Latrell runs Blues fans know and love were fewer and farther between. Was still dangerous, but will want more involvement in Origin III. 

Blues winger Zac Lomax struggled for impact as he was met with a wall of Queensland defence

Latrell Mitchell become his side’s No.1 kicker when booting out of trouble and was part of a potent Blues left edge

5. Zac Lomax 3

Gave away a senseless penalty and was placed on report for lashing out at Loeiro with an elbow, gifting Queensland two points.  Tried to pinch a field goal in the final seconds of the first half that would have reduced the margin to 19, but missed. He also missed three conversions that would have put more pressure on Queensland. Blew a late attacking raid. Not his best night.

6. Jarome Luai 7

First kick of the match sailed over the sideline in a shocking start after being a late callup for the injured Mitch Moses. Very quickly redeemed himself with a clever kick early in the tackle count to set up To’o for the first points of the match. But was then placed on report for a suspect tackle. Conceded three penalties that didn’t help. His connection with Cleary and former teammates on the left edge was undeniable, though. His kick to Angus Crichton to bring the margin back to within four was a thing of beauty. 

7. Nathan Cleary 5

Did the four-time premiership winner come into this one underdone? Had his upper left leg strapped and shunned the goalkicking and long kicks in general play. Was later revealed he did not kick in the final captain’s run either. An absolute shocker of a cross-field kick did not help the NSW cause. ‘That kick there was a shank you never, ever see,’ the Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns said in commentary. Was then cruelly denied a brilliant try because of one of his own teammates. Kicked out on the full looking for a 40/20 in the second half. Took on more responsibility as the game went on, but there was no question Cleary was not 100 per cent.

There was clearly issues with Cleary, the Panthers star coming out with a strapped leg and battling for form all match

8. Max King 7

Elevated to the starting team after making his Origin debut in Brisbane, the big man from Belmore disappointed nobody. He only had 26 minutes on the field, but rattled up 32 tackles, mopping up the tough stuff in the middle. Had a line break as well, and will keep putting his hand up for a bigger role in the future

9. Reece Robson 7

Known as a wall in defence, Robson took it upon himself to charge into the attack as the Blues took on the game. Copped a nasty head knock that required running repairs, but no HIA required for some reason.  

10. Payne Haas 8

This can be a cruel sport. Haas once again had the motor of a classic Toyota Troop Carrier and was enormous in the Blues comeback. But a whack from Capewell dislodged the ball and the greatest comeback of all time was snuffed out. It is hard to blame Haas for it, but ball security should have been critical at that point. Enormous peformance, nonetheless. 

11. Liam Martin 4

Textbook hit on Fa’asuamaleaui halted an early Queensland raid in its tracks before coughing the ball up from an almost identical hit from Valentine Holmes. In the end, Martin struggled in offence with just 41 run metres while two missed tackles did not help either. 

12. Angus Crichton 7.5

Toiled, but gave away two first-half penalties that put his side under pressure.  Was the recipient of a beautiful Luai kick to score a vital try that almost helped steer his side to victory. He’s usually one of the best forwards and the field and this was no different. 

Yeo was once again the linchpin of the Blues forward pack but couldn’t get his side over the line

13. Isaah Yeo 8

You always know what you are going to get with Yeo. There or thereabouts to 100 running metres, 32 tackles, no misses, no errors, no penalties conceded. But Mr Reliability was not enough to conjure the miracle. 

Bench

14. Connor Watson 5

Didn’t really have enough opportunity to do much for NSW, but his X-factor in the final 16 minutes could have sparked the winner the Blues desperately needed. It’s a hard job being a super sub and Watson didn’t get the chocolates this time arond

15. Spencer Leniu 6

He won’t die wondering, this bloke. And Leniu absolutely clattered Queensland forward Lindsay Collins in his first act of Origin II. Ran a beautiful decoy to fool Tom Dearden and set up the Blues’ second try. Was not as hot-headed as Maroons fans perhaps thought he would be, but that was not a great thing for the Blues either, who could have used a bit more aggression from the big man.

16. Hudson Young 4

Remains a very frustrating player to follow at this level. The flashes of brilliance are tempered by moments of madness and errors that could probably be avoided. There is definite X-factor, but there needs to be more discipline.  

17. Stefano Utoikamanu 3

Overran the ball and lacked vision to walk backwards right into Pat Carrigan, denying Nathan Cleary a try under the sticks. Had a couple of decent hit ups in his 24-minute cameo, but that denied try will haunt him.

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