Player ratings: Latrell Mitchell fails to fire a shot in Game One
He tormented the Maroons and Will Chambers in last year’s Origin series, but Latrell Mitchell was a shadow of the man he was in 2018. See GREG DAVIS’ Blues ratings here.
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One in a row could be a thing again for the Blues if they don’t fire in Games Two and Three.
Check out our player ratings here.
CHECK OUT THE QUEENSLAND PLAYER RATINGS HERE
1. JAMES TEDESCO 8.5
Was on track to be man-of-the-match in the first half alone when he was as dangerous as a toddler with a chainsaw with everytouch. Better footwork than John Travolta helped set-up the first try of the match and he produced a try-saving tackle onMorgan. An incredible 250 running metres but four errors blotted the copybook.
2. NICK COTRIC 6
Quietly put together a handy first half with four tackle breaks and 62 metres. Rabs was all over his Serbian ancestry duringthe call but Corey Oates was soon over in the corner after the Raider left his wing and paid the price. Suffered from a leginjury late.
3. LATRELL MITCHELL 5
Was the second coming of Jesus Christ about a month ago but brought his recent indifferent form into the series opener. Had no impact in attack and was exposed defensively. Sin-binned for a professional foul to top things off. Bobbed up late whenthe Blues were storming home but nothing to write home about.
4. JOSH MORRIS 6
Clearly the best Morris twin on the field. His comeback to rep footy was nowhere near the same class as Alf in ‘01 but itwas reasonably handy. Scored the first try, had seven tackle breaks by halftime. Faded in the second half when he saw littleball. Plus, it was late.
5. JOSH ADDO-CARR 7
His nickname is “The Fox”. If only somebody mentioned that. Shutdown one attacking raid from the Maroons with a timely interceptand looked dangerous early with the ball in hand. Finished with 131 running metres but faded out of the contest when the Maroonsstarted to steamroll the Blues.
6. CODY WALKER 4
Freddie Fittler pulled him from the field such was his lack of impact. Had 14 tackles, two runs for 31 metres, one linebreak, one linebreak assist andone tacklebreak.
7. NATHAN CLEARY 6
Solid night without doing anything spectacular. Came into the match in worse form than the South African cricket team buthad 339 kicking metres, 30 tackles and seven darts at the Maroons defence. But was not able to create much - if anything -for those outside him and didn’t take control when the Blues were on top.
8. DAVID KLEMMER 8
Took five Maroons to tackle him in the first collision of the match. Continued to take a power of stopping with 144 runningmetres and 29 tackles by full-time. His influence waned the longer the match went but NSW was unable to capitalise on hisstrong early work.
9. DAMIEN COOK 7.5
Had spiders on him. Could have been humming MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” almost every time he ran out of dummy-half. Wasn’table to find as much space after halftime with his pack in reverse. Still one of the best for the Blues with 41 tackles, 106metres and 163 kicking metres.
10. PAUL VAUGHAN 6
Has legs so big that it makes some tree trunks feel a little embarrassed and was hungry for work early as he gave the rampagingKlemmer good support. But the Maroons cut the tall timber down to size in the run home and he was unable to have the sameimpact.
11. BOYD CORDNER (c) 6
Quiet night by the skipper’s normally very high standards. Threw a kick in general play into the mix when his side was underthe pump. Missed a team-high five tackles but made 32 to go with 89 running metres. Still has he best five o’clock shadowin the NRL though.
12. TYSON FRIZELL 5
Needs to get a boot sponsor. Looks like he is playing in school shoes. Had five hit-ups in each stint on the field but waslargely unsighted and not a great influence on the match with 21 tackles and 75 running metres. The Blues need much more fromhim in Game 2.
13. JAKE TRBOJEVIC 6.5
Another tradesman’s like performance from the bloke who looks like your friendly neighbourhood plumber but he did not setthe world on fire either. Made 107 metres and crashed over for a late try backing up down the middle of the field to keepthe Blues in it.
14. JACK WIGHTON 4
Spent the first 40 minutes on the bench but had a massive impact when he stepped across the white line for his Origin debut.Threw a lovely ball for Dane Gagai’s length-of-the-field try. Should come up as a try assist but is listed as an “error”.
15. PAYNE HAAS 5.5
Chased down Gagai with ease like the Maroons flyer was Todd Byrne not long after coming onto the ground. Was busy early ashe looked to relish this level. Made 25 tackles and had 59 running metres on debut.
16. CAMERON MURRAY 6.5
The energiser bunny had good impact with his first three runs for 31 metres. Made a costly handling error when his side wasdeep in attack and had the Maroons back-pedalling. But overall was a handy debut off the bench with 93 metres and 23 tacklesfor the combative type who did not look out of place.
17 ANGUS CRICHTON 5.5
Lucky to be picked and did not do a lot to convince selectors they made the right call. Made 43 metres from eight hit-upsand produced 32 tackles in a performance that did not scream, “pick me again”. Like Mitchell, took average club form intothe highest level and it showed.
Originally published as Player ratings: Latrell Mitchell fails to fire a shot in Game One
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