Player ratings: Who flew and who flopped in State of Origin opener
NSW might have won the opening match of the 2018 State of Origin series but what about individual performances? We look at who flew and who flopped at the MCG, with the NSW forwards clearly outpointing their Maroons rivals across the board.
Blues
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MATCH REPORT: Freddie’s Baby Blues claim first blood
ORIGIN BUZZ: Highlights and lowlights from game one
FORM CHANGE: Maloney’s rocks and diamonds performance
GAMEBREAKER: Teddy shreds Maroons with power of one
NSW might have won the opening match of the 2018 State of Origin series but what about individual performances?
We look at who flew and who flopped at the MCG, , with the NSW forwards clearly outpointing their Maroons rivals.
BLUES
1. James Tedesco 11
One of the great Origin performances. Scored a try and played a big hand in the other three. As good as it gets.
KEY STAT: Pick whatever you want – two line breaks, two try assists, 12 tackle busts, 221 metres….as good as it gets.
2. Tom Trbojevic 8
Worked up the guts with great desire and flew high for another try. The pick of the backline debutants.
KEY STAT: Ran for 141 metres from 20 runs, the second most carries of any Blues player.
3. Latrell Mitchell 7
Not as many touches as Brad Fittler would have liked but made them count and defended well.
KEY STAT: Eleven tackle busts from 12 runs is quite a return.
4. James Roberts 5
Well contained by a furious Greg Inglis.
KEY STAT: Just nine runs for 57 metres and a single tackle bust.
5. Josh Addo-Carr 7
Industrious from his own end and finished the match-sealing try. A fine debut.
KEY STAT: Not really known as a yardage guy but churned out 117m, many of them tough ones.
6. James Maloney 6
Had a hand in each Blues try and one for Queensland. Played with control when his team needed it.
KEY STAT: One missed tackle. His bootlace effort on Will Chambers was an absolute classic.
7. Nathan Cleary 5
Quiet in attack but stood up well defensively. A cover tackle on Inglis was a real highlight.
KEY STAT: Seven runs for 29 metres. Not his best return, but he took on the line and that’s a great sign.
8. David Klemmer 7.5
First stint was the best period of his Origin career. He is the Blues’ new middle leader.
KEY STAT: A massive 141 metres from just 13 runs. That’s an average of 10.85m per carry, my lord.
9. Damien Cook 9
The pick of the debutants. His speed up the middle is an incredible weapon. Eighty minutes and all of them were good.
KEY STAT: Only made 84 metres but felt like it was double that. He picked his times beautifully, showing smarts as well as speed. Plus a lazy 52 tackles.
10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 5
Struggled to put his stamp on the game early but put on a few shots late and had a hand in Addo-Carr’s try.
KEY STAT: One massive tackle. He knocked the life out of Gavin Cooper.
11. Boyd Cordner 7
Worked like a dog, especially out of his own end. One of his toughest Origin performances.
KEY STAT: A game-high 21 runs. Cannot overstate the hard work he willingly took on the chin.
12. Tyson Frizell 6
Looked good when he got the ball on the edge but was contained when he got to the middle.
KEY STAT: Three tackle busts, the most of any Blues forward. Would love to see him play 80 on the edge.
13. Jack de Belin 6
Made some powerful tackles, especially early, that helped the Blues set the tone.
KEY STAT: 26 tackles. Many of them were excellent one-on-one efforts.
14. Paul Vaughan 5
Didn’t have the impact he would have liked but didn’t let anyone down either.
KEY STAT: Seven runs for 64 metres. He’ll be much better for the run.
15. Jake Trbojevic 6
Got a big stint and made the most of it. The Blues’ best prop in the middle stages.
KEY STAT: 35 tackles, the equal most of any Blues forward outside of Cook.
16. Angus Crichton 5
Played close to 60 minutes on the right edge and tackles well but couldn’t break free with the ball.
KEY STAT: Eight runs for 51 metres. Like Vaughan, he’ll be better next time.
17. Tyrone Peachey 2
Only got 10-odd minutes.
KEY STAT: He only played 10 minutes, there’s no stats to be had.
TOTAL: 107.5
MAROONS
14. Michael Morgan 5
Did all right on short notice but struggled to get involved. Bad miss on Tedesco for the Blues’ final try.
KEY STAT: Only missed two tackles but the one on Tedesco was a big one.
2. Valentine Holmes 6
Went the length and rucked the ball out well, but was dunked on by Tom Turbo.
KEY STAT: One try. Kept Queensland in it when things looked gone.
3. Greg Inglis 8
The Big Fella did everything he could to drag his team to victory. One of his finest Origin performances.
KEY STAT: Fourteen tackles and I bet every one of them rattled the bones.
4. Will Chambers 5
A poor game by his high standards. Had a costly brain explosion with a poor early kick in the second half.
KEY STAT: Eight missed tackles. He’s the best centre in the game but wasn’t at his best in this one.
5. Dane Gagai 7
Had one hand but grows an extra leg in Origin so it all evens out in the end.
KEY STAT: Made 144 metres, fine numbers for a one-handed winger.
6. Cameron Munster 6.5
Queensland’s most likely attacking player but lacked a little support.
KEY STAT: Nine runs for 96 metres. He’s great at taking the line on.
7. Ben Hunt 5
A mixed bag. A fine kick for the Gagai try but didn’t test the Blues with his running. Perhaps a little underdone.
KEY STAT: Three runs for 15 metres. Everything comes from his running game.
8. Dylan Napa 4
Threw himself around early but was off the pace in his second stint.
KEY STAT: Four missed tackles. Others missed more, but his miss on Tedesco in the lead-up to the Addo-Carr try was a backbreaker.
9. Andrew McCullough 6
Worked hard and had a couple of nice attacking touches. He was replacing a legend and did all right.
KEY STAT: Made 48 tackles and only missed two.
10. Jarrod Wallace 3
Three runs for 26 metres isn’t good enough for a starting middle.
KEY STAT: As above, three runs for 26 metres. That’s just not enough.
11. Gavin Cooper 5
Tackled well but couldn’t get much going in attack.
KEY STAT: Seven runs for 56 metres. Do Queensland need a more robust attacking presence?
12. Felise Kaufusi 6
Had some strong attacking touches in the first half but went a bit quiet in the second. A tidy debut overall.
KEY STAT: Made 43 tackles, second only to McCullough. Will hold his spot when Gillett returns.
13. Josh McGuire 7
Queensland’s best middle by a fair way. Needed support from his teammates. Got caught by Cook for the first try.
KEY STAT: Made 122 metres, the most of any Queensland forward. The Maroons key forward.
15. Josh Papalii 7
The only Maroon forward who went with McGuire. No coincidence Queensland lifted when he was on the field.
KEY STAT: Made 97 metres, second only to McGuire among Queensland’s middles.
16. Coen Hess 3
Struggled with the pace of the game. Might be in danger of losing his spot for Game II.
KEY STAT: Made 51 metres, the least of any bench forward.
17. Jai Arrow 4
Might get some extra minutes in Game II, or even a starting berth. Tackled well.
KEY STAT: No missed tackles. A strong defensive presence up the guts.
19. Anthony Milford 3
Only got a couple of minutes, but did pull off a fine trysaver on Mitchell.
KEY STAT: One try save. The game was over but it was still a fine effort.
TOTAL: 90.5
