Reece Walsh has produced a masterclass that ended in a send-off, while Daly Cherry-Evans wound back the clock to lead Queensland to a dominant 32-6 series clinching win.
Meanwhile, Xavier Coates starred as the three forced changes Queensland made came up trumps in a rout at Suncorp Stadium.
Read on for the Maroons’ Player Ratings.
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Holmes strikes in questionable opener! | 00:54
QLD MAROONS PLAYER RATINGS
1. REECE WALSH 9
Looked dangerous in a sweeping left-side attack in the first three minutes and continued to be involved with some tough carries. Looked deadly throughout the first half and continued in the second with an early break before lobbing the ball over NSW’s cover defence to find Holmes for his second try. Later used his pace to burn defenders before finding Coates for yet another four-pointer. Finished the game with two try assists, seven tackle breaks and 114 running metres in a fullback masterclass.
2. XAVIER COATES 9
Was happy to do the tough work early in the contest, coming up with some big carries in the opening 20 minutes. Contested a Daly Cherry-Evans kick which led to the first scoring chance, before making a crucial tackle on Damien Cook to stop a promising NSW chance. Was clearly up to the task in his return to the Origin arena and scored in impressive fashion in the second half to cap off a stellar display.
3. VALENTINE HOLMES 8
Scored the opening try of the contest in dubious fashion but put himself in the right place and recorded crucial points in the ninth minute. Continued to have classy inputs throughout the game and scored a second with a smart pick-up and even classier grounding in the 44th minute. Scored a total of 16 points.
4. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW 7
Scrambled well in defence early, then drew in two men for Queensland’s second try of the night. Wasn’t a standout but did exactly what was needed in the first 40 before erupting with a try in the second, bursting on to a Murray Taulagi try.
5. MURRAY TAULAGI 7
Was strong in defence marking Brian To’o in the first half and scored the second try of the night. Ran for an impressive Queensland high 72 metres in the first 40 minutes. Also put in a perfect kick for a Tabuai-Fidow try in the second half to go with 92 running metres.
6. CAMERON MUNSTER 7
Diffused the Blues’ first scoring chance, positioning himself perfectly for a Mitchell Moses grubber. Once again batted a Moses chip out in the 24th minute and consistently schemed around the ruck. Munster had a hand in most of Queensland’s attack and was again impressive. Recorded 106 running metres and a try assist.
7. DALY CHERRY-EVANS 8
Delivered a pinpoint kick for the first try of the contest. Then in another huge play ran down Stephen Crichton late in the first half, before charging on to a Pat Carrigan offload to make a break on the next play. It was a game of big moments for the experienced playmaker also put Walsh through to find Coates for another try. Finished the game with four tackle breaks to go with a try assist and 22 tackles.
“He’s 34!” – DCE’s heroic chase down | 00:32
15. TOM FLEGLER 6
Gave away a penalty to hand NSW strong field position in the 16th minute before Munster stopped their opponent’s first attack. Was pulled from the field not long after and returned in the final 15 minutes to close out the game.
9. BEN HUNT 6
Impressive kicking out of dummy-half in his first stint before coming off in the 23rd minute and came back on in the last seven minutes.
10. TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI 6
Left the field in the 21st minute and was solid in his first stint but only ran for 12 metres from two carries. Came back on in the second period and gave away a penalty for a high-tackle which handed NSW strong field position.
11. DAVID FIFITA 7
Tough early carry which led to a penalty and looked destructive with ball in hand before delivering a pass which sparked Queensland’s second try. Looks to have forged a strong left-side attack with Tabuai-Fidow and Taulagi. Recorded 74 running metres with two tackle breaks.
16. REUBEN COTTER 8
Thrown into the starting line-up and was rattled early attempting to tackle Brian To’o but surprisingly didn’t leave the field for a HIA. Shifted to the middle later in the first half and made a staggering 27 tackles in the first 40 minutes and was ever-present in the second half. Clearly one of Slater’s most important players and always stands tall in the Origin arena.
13. PATRICK CARRIGAN 7
Distributed the ball smartly in the opening stages of the game and came up with an important offload to hand Cherry-Evans a linebreak to go with 20 first half tackles. Came off late in the second half and was instrumental to Queensland’s win. Finished with 88 running metres and 27 tackles.
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The Hammer puts the nail in NSW coffin | 00:31
INTERCHANGE BENCH:
8. LINDSAY COLLINS 8
Entered the clash in the 21st minute and made a big ball-and-all tackle on Jarome Luai to force a knock-on on the stroke of halftime. Made some big runs in the second half, getting the Maroons on the front foot. He also reeled in a Moses grubber before coming off in the 62nd minute to crowd-wide applause. He finished the contest with 121 running metres.
12. JEREMIAH NANAI 7
Came on in the 19th minute and made a promising break before flicking the ball out of play, but did provide leg-speed going up against out-of-position hooker Damien Cook. Was solid in a forward pack that had all the momentum and scored off a Cook error in the closing stages.
14. HARRY GRANT 7
Swapped with Ben Hunt in the 23rd minute and did nothing wrong, making 15 tackles in the first half. Combined with Cameron Munster to orchestrate a Tabuai-Fidow try and ran the ball more. Didn’t have a huge impact elsewhere, but his service out of dummy-half was good and he made 28 tackles.
17. MOEAKI FOTUAIKA 6
Didn’t take the field in the first half, but was solid in the second and did what was required.
