State of Origin player ratings: See who starred and who flopped as NSW dominated a disappointing Queensland side
While the Maroons had several players that battled, the Blues clicked sharply and looked like a team that had played together for years.
Here are the players that stood up in the win, and the ones that will need to bounce back strongly in the second match in Perth in three weeks time.
Queensland
Kalyn Ponga - 5
Struggled to get into the game in the first half as the Maroon's offence spluttered. Lost the ball in a Crichton tackle to surrender the momentum the Maroons had built. Gave away a penalty for a flop when Queensland had the Blues firmly under the gun.
Xavier Coates - 8
Soared high over Brian To'o late in the first quarter but was unable to reel in the ball because of interference from his opposite number. Very unlucky not to come up with points and he constantly threatened the Blues line. Finally got the reward he deserved after Latrell Mitchell lost the ball.
Robert Toia - 7.5
Named for the Maroons having played just 10 NRL matches, the Roosters young gun held his own in the big arena and had a few nice carries. Came into his own in the second half with some powerful runs. However with a host of injured Maroons set to return, he might need to bide his time before getting his second crack at Origin. Will certainly give coach Billy Slater plenty of headaches at the selection table.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - 5
For all of his attacking ability, the Hammer still has defensive liabilities at this level. Really struggled against Stephen Crichton and Zac Lomax where the Blues found a lot of success. Was kept quiet in attack for most of the night by the Bulldogs skipper as well.
Valentine Holmes - 5
Fumbled a Nathan Cleary bomb to put his side under early pressure. Scored the first Maroons points with a successful kick off the back of To'o sinbinning. He was involved, but a long way off his best form. Could be the first to go when the injured troops return.
Cameron Munster - 4
Was the Maroons' ace up their sleeve after missing last year's series, but six missed tackles and a vital penalty conceded made his first half one to forget. Really tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half but couldn't find the special play he has become known for.
Daly Cherry-Evans - 5
Became the oldest player to ever lace up the boots for an Origin match in what is likely to be his final series. Will he play all three matches? It remains to be seen. Could not grab the ascendency in this one while strike weapon Tom Dearden was kept on ice.
Moeaki Fotuaika - 7.5
Came out like a cement truck to put the Blues on notice, but a cheeky little strip was picked up by the bunker to gift NSW their first points from the ensuing penalty. Oddly, he was limited to a 27 minute cameo. Surely he demands greater minutes in Origin II.
Harry Grant - 4
Came into the match on very limited preparation, just 60 minutes in a loss against the Sharks. Came up with a costly error in the first half. Then gave away a penalty to put his side under even more pressure. Copped an elbow from Spencer Leniu and then a head class from teammate Lindsay Collins. Hooked for Tom Dearden 13 minutes into the second half.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - 6
Missed the series last year and came out of the blocks a little too enthusiastically, giving away two penalties in defence. Had a bunch of missed tackles as well. The Maroons need more from big Tino.
Reuben Cotter - 5
A huge 31 tackles with no misses in the first half alone. But the big man from Mackay has struggled in offence for North Queensland this season and brought those woes into Origin. A rock in defence, but very quiet on the other side of the ball.
Jeremiah Nanai - 6
It's hard to believe that the North Queensland Cowboys second-rower was banished to reserve grade earlier this season because of poor form. But then again, it is also easy to see why he is a rocks and diamonds type of player. Plenty of enthusiasm, but a good handful of missed tackles and handling errors as well.
Patrick Carrigan - 9
Required plastic surgery to his busted lip just to play and just kept going and going and going for the Maroons. Huge metres, a monstrous amount of tackles and a beating heart that just won't quit. The Maroons need 10 more just like him.
Bench
Tom Dearden - 5
Came on 13 minutes into the second half to play dummy half in the place of the subbed Harry Grant. Not much he could do in limited minutes and playing out of position.
Lindsay Collins - 7
Had a head clash in the first half with Harry Grant which likely limited his minutes, but he was powerful while he was on the field and gained valuable metres for the Maroons.
Beau Fermor - 5
Finally made his Origin debut at age 26 when he ran out onto Suncorp Stadium for the final 15 minutes of the match. Not much he could do in limited minutes with the game beyond reach.
Trent Loiero - 8
The Melbourne Storm star got through plenty of work on debut off the bench in limited minutes. Rattled up 60 metres and had 30 tackles in a willing performance. Could press for a starting spot in the near future
New South Wales
Dylan Edwards - 8.5
Despite indifferent form at club level, the Penrith superstar showed why he has become the preferred option at this level over James Tedesco. He was laying on tries, line breaks and then crashed over to score the match-winner in clever support play.
Panthers winger Brian To'o had a trademark spectacular try, but was also sin-binned
Brian To'o - 6
Played just one match in the lead up after a hamstring complaint hampered the start of his season. Latched onto a Latrell pass to score the Blues' second. Had a brain fade and was sin-binned late in the first half for dragging Xavier Coates down while he was competing for a bomb.
Stephen Crichton - 8.5
Defied a leg injury to take his place in the team. And he was at his barnstorming best, giving Hamiso Tabui-Fidow nightmares and showing why he is regarded as the best centre in the game right now.
Latrell Mitchell - 6
Wanted to let his football do the talking this time around and did so. Swatted defenders away at will, had plenty of lovely touches that led to tries and was a constant handful. However, he dropped the ball after being axed by Maroons second-rower Jeremiah Nanai, which led to Queensland's first try.
Zac Lomax - 8
After years of whinging about playing on the wing, he showed why he should stay there by scoring the first NSW try. Bagged his second as the sheer weight of possession from NSW broke the Maroons' backs. Was shifted to the left wing in the second half in a bid to shut down Xavier Coates.
Mitchell Moses - 8
Had a target on his back and did well to weather some bone-crunching hits without losing possession. Is the general at Parramatta but showed he can be a great team player as well, involved in several sweeping ball movements. Controlled, measured and an asset to the Blues side.
Nathan Cleary - 6.5
He's won four premierships in a row but was was shake early in this arena, tossing a ball out the back door to nobody and turning over possession. Left his goal-kicking boots back at Penrith, missing three in a row.
Mitchell Barnett - 7
Did his job in the engine room with over 100 metres and 20-odd tackles, although a couple of misses dulls his grade a bit.
Reece Robson - 8.5
After keeping his spot despite several questions over whether he had done enough to earn it, the Cowboys rake put in his one of his strongest Origin performances to date.
Payne Haas - 9
An absolute powerhouse. Came up with 11 gutbusting runs for 89 metres in the first half alone before getting a well-deserved break. Showed why he is the best prop in the game and did all of the tough stuff required - including 30 tackles without a single miss - to help engineer the win.
Liam Martin - 7.5
Not his biggest or best game for the Blues but did his job and had his little running battle with Munster.
Angus Crichton - 7.5
Was a constant threat on the left edge but couldn't quite break the game apart. Both second-rowers linked well with the centres and this looks like a well-settled New South Wales outfit
You can set your watch to Penrith Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo having a strong match in big games
Isaah Yeo - 9
Leader of the pack once again. Has always led by example and this was no different, showing all of the toughness and guile that has led to the Panthers co-captain winning four straight premierships. A real asset for the Blues pack.
Bench
Connor Watson - 3
Came on late to replace Reece Robson at dummy half and immediately bombed an almost certain try after fumbling a Nathan Cleary pass.
Spencer Leniu - 8
Lapped up the attention of being the pantomime villain at Suncorp Stadium, inciting the locals to boo him after his previously confrontation with Maroons great Johnathan Thurston. Had a near flawless cameo off the bench and will be pressing for a spot in the starting side if there are any injuries this series.
Hudson Young - 5
Good energy off the bench but a couple of trademark brain explosions as well. Will need to find balance in his game if he wants to press for a regular starting spot.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
22 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Does Queensland have a crocodile problem or a people problem?
'We from the country have had enough.' So ends the submission of Kelvin Douglas John Bunyan to a Queensland parliamentary committee considering legislation that would allow for safari style hunting and the harvesting of eggs of the most fearsome apex predator of the tropical north: the saltwater crocodile. The 177 submissions lodged in response to Katter's Australian party's Crocodile Control and Conservation bill 2025 are penned by the kind of rich and colourful cast for which the far north is renowned. And, like the country itself, they are submissions full of surprise and contradiction. There is the bowhunter, spearfisher, ex-professional fighter and diesel trucks driver who writes with passion and erudition that the proposed crocodile cull is 'incredibly naive', unscientific and dangerous – and then there is the general practitioner and standup paddle boarder who believes crocodiles need to be 'kept in their place' so that young people can get off their phones and back into the fresh waterways. There is the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, which supports the bill 'overall' – though with the important caveats that Indigenous people play a more integral role in croc management and that the species' conservation be given greater emphasis. Then there is the Kunggandji Cultural Custodian to whom Kunjurra Kunggandji – or the saltwater crocodile in his language – is a totem, a spiritual guide, an ancestor and for whom the killing of this sacred animal is the killing of kin. Sign up: AU Breaking News email There are the tour guides who say they would be embarrassed to tell international visitors they lived in a state that slaughtered wild crocs and that removing salties would hurt their businesses. Then the charter boat operators and fishing guides who fear for their industries should the bill not pass. There is the houseboat resident who says she nearly lost her husband to a lunging croc a week after it took her dog. And the Daintree forest dwellers who say their swampy retreat is healthier with crocodiles in it. There is Bunyan, born in 1961, who grew up on a farm in the Innisfail region and who writes – almost entirely unburdened by punctuation – with echoes of the wild poetry of the Jerilderie Letter, that handwritten manifesto of the legendary bushranger Ned Kelly. 'At those times there was no crocodiles however eventually after 10 or so years we suspected that they're crocodiles and sure enough on New Year's Day in about 1983 several young children on the side of the river we're going down for a swim when a crocodile took their pet dog my father warned me that at some point that would be the case making one of the children but fortunately Oh well unfortunately for the dog he was the victim in that case … ' And there is the University of Queensland's crocodile expert, Prof Craig E Franklin. A global authority on Crocodylus porosus, Franklin is the scientific lead for the world's largest and longest active tracking program of crocodiles, which is done in collaboration with Australia Zoo on the saltwater crocs of far north Queensland. Franklin recommended the bill be rejected outright, describing it as 'foolish, misguided and dangerous'. In the end, it was by the likes of Franklin that the parliamentary committee tasked with reading through these submissions – and attending several public hearings as well as travelling through croc country – was swayed when they handed down their recommendations on the crocodile bill in late July. The Health, Environment and Innovation Committee recommended the bill not be passed and was, Franklin says, 'quite damning' of the proposal. The Gold Coast-based Liberal National party chair, Rob Molhoek, began his forward to the report by noting more Australians are 'injured or killed by everyday incidents like accidental falls, choking, drowning or homicide than by crocodiles'. In 2023 one Australian was killed by a crocodile, compared with six people by dogs, while accidental falling accounted for 4,105 deaths, choking 1,427 and drowning 204, he wrote. Molhoek cited Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service's croc expert, Simon Booth, who argued that even if crocodiles could be removed from the state's waterways, the stealthy ambush predators would still migrate in from afar. And the International Union on the Conservation of Nature's Crocodile Committee co-chair Charlie Manolis, who continued, with more than a hint of sarcasm, that making waterways safe in Queensland was 'simple'. 'You have to make crocodiles extinct entirely – remove every single one of them – and then put a fence up between the Northern Territory and Queensland, to stop them swimming across, put up another fence between Papua New Guinea and us to stop them coming down, and then you will be able to guarantee safety,' Manolis wrote. Finally, Molhoek signed off with a nod to those who said that crocodile attacks were often a result of people engaging in risky behaviour – and that the key to avoiding human fatalities was to encourage 'crocwise' behaviour. 'Throughout this inquiry, many submitters told the committee that fundamentally Queensland does not have a crocodile problem; Queensland has a people problem,' he wrote. For the man who tabled the bill, KAP's Shane Knuth, the 'people problem' line adds insult to injury. 'That is the biggest woke, insulting statement that I've ever come across since I've been in the parliament, 21 years,' he tells the Guardian. Knuth says his bill – which also called for the creation of a Queensland Crocodile Authority based in Cairns and the creation of 'zero-tolerance' crocodile zones – would help take the fresh waterways of the north back to the 'good old days' of the '70s, 80s, 90s and even early 2000s' when swimming the creeks and waterholes carried an 'acceptable risk'. He cites the example of the Tully River in his electorate of Hill, south of Cairns. 'That river, 20 years ago, was full of families camped on the sands, kids snorkelling,' he said. 'Now it is completely taken over by crocs'. Knuth rejects the evidence submitted by scientists which showed crocodile numbers were stable or still gradually recovering from being hunted to near local extinction. 'Just tell 'em to come swim across the North Johnstone River or the Tully,' he says. 'That's the true science of whether there is an explosion in croc numbers or it's an illusion'. The LNP defector from Tully laments that there were no north Queenslanders on the parliamentary committee, and that they 'wouldn't have a clue of the reality of what's going on here in the north'. Brisbane-based Franklin bristles at that criticism, which he says is frequently directed at him. 'I've spent well and truly more than a year of my life living under canvas in north Queensland catching crocodiles – and I do that safely,' he says. 'It is easy to live alongside crocodiles. It is just following common sense and some simple rules'. The crocodile researcher left Brisbane on Friday for a month of crocodile field work on the Wenlock River north of Weipa. Knuth's bill will probably be debated in parliament in coming weeks. If, as the parliamentary committee recommends, it is rejected, Knuth promises it won't be the last word on a croc cull. This is the fifth similar bill he has tabled since 2017. 'I will keep tabling and putting in bills until north Queensland is heard and action is taken'.
The Guardian
22 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Sportsbet advertises multi bets on AFL website after pulling TV ads due to ‘community sentiment'
Gambling giant Sportsbet has splashed ads for its expanded same-game multi bets on the AFL's website, months after pulling them from free-to-air broadcasts due to 'strong community sentiment'. The ads, which reveal Sportsbet now accepts same-game multi bets on how many possessions a player acquires during a match, encouraged people to 'bet now' and surrounded the AFL homepage. While the ads did not breach any rules, Sportsbet has previously voluntarily withdrawn ads for the same product on different platforms 'after listening to stakeholder and community sentiment on gambling advertising'. 'Same-game multis' allow gambling on a combination of outcomes such as possessions and goal scorers, and all must succeed for the bet to be paid out. Analysis has shown that multi-bets have a high fail rate for gamblers. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Crossbench MP Kate Chaney, who sat on a parliamentary inquiry into gambling harm led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, said the ad showed why the gambling industry's attempts to self-regulate had failed. 'Expecting gambling companies to take their own hand out of the cookie jar is a joke and the government must know it,' Chaney said. In early July, weeks before the ad was published, the communications minister Annika Wells met the AFL's chief executive, Andrew Dillon, to discuss the government's long-awaited plan to restrict gambling advertising. The former communications minister Michelle Rowland's proposed changes, made in response to June 2023 parliamentary inquiry, were abandoned shortly before the election. The inquiry recommended a total ban on gambling advertising after a three-year transition period. ACT independent senator David Pocock urged the federal government to fast-track its reforms and said the industry could not be trusted to regulate itself. 'Sportsbet response to concern over recent advertising highlights this, after they pulled advertisements from TV only to then splash them over the AFL's website,' Pocock said. Prof Samantha Thomas, a Deakin University academic who specialises in gambling and who gave evidence to the inquiry, said the ad was 'a clear example of why comprehensive bans are needed'. 'Partial restrictions will continue to leave the door open for the gambling industry to promote their products across multiple platforms,' Thomas said. The Alliance for Gambling Reform's chief executive, Martin Thomas, accused Sportsbet of 'virtue signalling' by removing its ads from television and then 'resorting back to type' by splashing them on the AFL's website. Sportsbet and the AFL were contacted for comment. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Unlike television broadcasts, the ad was only visible to people aged 18 or older. Anyone who visits the AFL website can also opt out of seeing gambling odds and wagering content. Earlier this year, Guardian Australia reported on leaked documents showing the AFL received a bigger share of gambling revenue when people submitted same-game multi bets. Shortly before the season began, the AFL sought an even bigger share of revenue from these bets, arguing the money was necessary to address an 'unprecedented' increase in 'integrity risks' posed by the wagering industry. That proposal was not accepted by some bookmakers and the Victorian gambling regulator is considering whether to make an unprecedented intervention in the dispute, which could set a limit on the league's revenue from wagering. In recent weeks, Wells has also discussed proposed gambling ad restrictions with NRL chair Peter V'landys and chief executive Andrew Abdo, Seven West Media's chief executive, Jeff Howard, and the chief executives of Free TV Australia and Foxtel. Before those meetings, Wells met Rod Glover, who was Peta Murphy's husband for more than 20 years before she died from cancer in December 2023, six months after delivering her report into gambling harms. So far, sources familiar with the consultation say it has focused on identifying the main objections and testing support for compromises. They say the government intends to act by the end of the year. In Australia, Gambling Help Online is available on 1800 858 858. The National Debt Helpline is at 1800 007 007. In the UK, support for problem gambling can be found via the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic on 020 7381 7722, or GamCare on 0808 8020 133. In the US, call the National Council on Problem Gambling at 800-GAMBLER or text 800GAM.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
'England should consider Brook when Stokes is out'
England should consider making Harry Brook captain if Ben Stokes suffers further time on the sidelines, according to former skipper Michael Stokes is missing the final Test against India at The Oval because of a shoulder injury, with vice-captain Ollie Pope 34-year-old's recovery is likely to take around eight weeks, before the Ashes series in Australia beginning in Brook became England's white-ball captain earlier this year, winning his first series in full-time charge against West Indies."Harry Brook, to me, looks a leader. He looks a born leader," Vaughan told the Test Match Special podcast."If Ben Stokes is injured in the future can't Pope stay as vice-captain and Harry Brook gets the leadership role?" Vaughan is regarded as one of the finest captains to have led England, masterminding the famous 2005 Ashes series win. He won 26 of his 51 Tests in charge between 2003 and added: "I look at someone like Ollie Pope, who looks a fantastic vice-captain. He is brilliant person to have next to the captain to come up with ideas. Sometimes vice-captains aren't brilliant captains."Marcus Trescothick was a magnificent vice-captain for me but you wouldn't to give him the captaincy."Pope, 27, is leading England in a Test for the fifth time. He previously stood in when Stokes had a hamstring injury last Pope, the home side face an uphill task to win the decisive fifth Test. After being set 374 to beat India, a target that would represent their second-highest successful chase in a Test, they closed the third day on Saturday, without the injured Chris Woakes, England were left relying on trio of seamers Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie they were eventually able to dismiss India for 396 in their second innings, England were hampered by six dropped catches."It is not Ollie Pope's fault England are in this position. It is the dropped catches," said Vaughan."There were a couple of times he nipped off the field, it might have been for a comfort break, but it looked like he was going off for tactical advice."I don't know well enough and am not in the dressing room. I just want the best captain who is the best leader leading the England side. I don't think a good vice-captain will necessarily be a good captain." England's highest run chase of 378 came against India three years ago at Edgbaston. They also successfully overhauled 371 against the same opponents to win the first Test of this series at Headingley."We're pretty chilled," said Tongue. "There won't be any over-thinking about it."I got asked the same question at Headingley. I don't see why we can't chase down these runs."How we play is very positive and exciting. With the batting line-up we've got, I can't see why we can't give it a good go."
