NSW Blues player ratings vs Queensland | State of Origin II
Brad Fittler’s Blues levelled the series at Optus Stadium in Perth with a resounding 44-12 win after a second half blitz put the Maroons away, bringing back memories of the 2019 clash between the two sides at the same stadium.
The Blues had to play catch up when Queensland scored the first try of the game but they hit back quickly through debutant Matt Burton latching onto a smart grubber kick from Nathan Clearly.
Just two points separated the side at halftime with the Blues leading 14-12 before a landslide of tries, including two to halfback Nathan Cleary, put the Blues result beyond doubt.
Here’s how the NSW Blues rated in Perth in Origin II:
1 James Tedesco – 8
A strong all-round game saw him run for 191m and bust 10 tackles, his work in the backfield helping his side take over late in the piece.
2 Brian To’o – 9
Crucial in the territory game, chewing through a whopping 228 metres and busting seven tackles, while an early try-saving hit helped set the tone for the Blues.
3 Matt Burton – 8.5
Brilliant Origin debut including a try and a smart assist for To’o’s try with an spectacular catch pass, while he unleashed bombs via the foot that troubled the Queensland backs and added another key element to the Blues’ game.
4 Stephen Crichton – 5
Struggled to get involved and was rarely threatening deep in attack, potentially making him vulnerable to be dropped ahead of the series decider.
5 Daniel Tupou – 9
Herculean effort running the ball in the back field for 187m with eight tackle busts, his intense effort well and truly earning his second-half try.
6 Jarome Luai – 7
Shook off a poor first half that included a loose carry, a missed tackle that led to a Queensland try and giving away a cheap penalty that led to another with a superb solo try in the second.
7 Nathan Cleary – 10
His masterpiece included a genius kick to assist the Blues’ first try and his exceptional vision made another with a lofted pass for Tupou to score in the corner. His complete kicking game was on show throughout, while he capped things off with two brilliant running tries.
8 Payne Haas – 6
Led a hot forward-pack effort early with 105m, running with vigour as usual as he set the tone for the night.
9 Api Korisau – 5
Dummy-half work helped free up his teammates to shine, but didn’t do much outside of that.
10 Jake Trbojevic – 7
Was busy early on his return to the side, most importantly in defence with 27 tackles, where his elite energy led a much-improved effort from the Blues.
11 Cameron Murray – 7
Suffered a huge shot across the chin and ear and left for an HIA, but returned for 78m running and delivered some big shots defensively in a 25-tackle showing.
12 Liam Martin – 6
Had some effort plays including a huge kick chase as pressure mounted, although he did miss three tackles.
13 Isaah Yeo – 8.5
Stellar on both sides of the ball, defensively perfect making 29 tackles without missing one while he also ran for 92.
14 Damian Cook – 5
Injected in the shadows of halftime and his energy helped the Blues lift when they needed to, although he lacked any real individual moments.
15 Angus Crichton – 6.5
Took a stray boot to the chin on 15 minutes but returned to bring heat in the middle and scored the easiest of tries late in the piece.
16 Junior Paulo – 7.5
Brought immediate energy off the bench with some bruising runs, producing a particularly angry 129m that provided the energy NSW needed.
17 Siosifa Talakai – 5
Came on with 17 minutes to play and made a couple of runs without any highlights.
-Alex Mitchell/AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
Can someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
227 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
227 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
227 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
19 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to comments