Queensland State of Origin ratings for game two
Fraser Barton |
QUEENSLAND PLAYER RATINGS FROM ORIGIN II
1 Reece Walsh – 9
The player who organised Queensland’s defensive line. Walsh had two try assists, seven tackle breaks and plenty of involvement inside Queensland’s half. Second-best, behind man-of-the-match Lindsay Collins.
2 Xavier Coates – 7.5
Coates’ return to the Origin arena was as good as they came. The Melbourne flyer threatened on kick chases, scored a diving try and took some strong yardage carries out of his own half.
3 Valentine Holmes – 8
The only blemish on Holmes’s night was two missed conversions. Defensively sound and bagged two of Queensland’s six tries. His pressure on Cook in defence threw NSW out of sync.
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 7
The ‘Hammer’ had a quiet first half but then came alive in the second while pairing with former teammate Murray Taulagi. A regular at fullback, Tabuai-Fidow proved he has a long future ahead in Queensland’s side.
5 Murray Taulagi – 7.5
Scored in the opening half and made a sensational try-saving tackle on Crichton in the second. He had 12 runs and ran for 99 metres.
6 Cameron Munster – 7
Munster’s game management along with skipper Cherry-Evans kept the Blues guessing. The playmaker took it upon himself to carry out of Queensland’s territory when under the pump.
7 Daly Cherry-Evans -8.5
A true captain’s knock by Cherry-Evans. His leadership personified by chasing down Crichton across the field when the Blues centre gathered a kick. DCE’s own kicks out of territory were huge pressure relievers for the Maroons.
15 Tom Flegler – 5
Only 38 minutes of action for Flegler but the Broncos bruiser put some huge shots on and fired up his team with some bell-ringers in the middle.
9 Ben Hunt – 5
Last year’s Suncorp hero was subbed midway through the first half and returned in the final stages. Hunt still managed 20 tackles and threatened with early kicks out of dummy-half.
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 6
Another player on lesser minutes, Fa’asuamaleaui made his physical presence known in the middle but ill-discipline saw big Tino give away three penalties.
11 David Fifita – 6.5
Had clear intentions to run at Mitchell Moses all night long and threaten the Blues with offloads through contact. Fifita sucked in numerous defenders whenever he received the ball.
16 Reuben Cotter – 7
Cotter again led Queensland’s tackle count with 40 in another 80-minute performance through the middle. Small in stature but not in heart, Cotter missed just the one tackle and ran for 99 metres.
13 Patrick Carrigan – 6.5
A workhorse through the middle and linked well as a faux playmaker to set up Queensland’s spine. Carrigan stuck to the gameplan and did the job asked of him.
14 Harry Grant – 7
Grant’s injection into the contest sparked Queensland’s attack. His ruck-speed and sleight-of-hand kept NSW’s defence guessing.
8 Lindsay Collins – 8
Speaks volumes when earning player-of-the-match in just 42 minutes of action. Collins’ defence was terrific and a highlight was his trap of the ball to diffuse a NSW attack when under pressure.
12 Jeremiah Nanai – 6.5
Nanai scored Queensland’s final try of the evening and enjoyed a solid return to Origin given the 20-year-old had only 52 minutes of NRL action prior to Wednesday’s game.
17 Moeaki Fotuaika – 5.5
Fotuaika saw his first minutes in the second half and was strong to finish the game. The Gold Coast forward had 73 metres off six runs in 31 minutes.
AAP
