The Mole's Origin II player ratings: 'Out of his depth' Blue will be 'first dropped' after Perth shocker

Never write off Queensland!

It doesn't matter how many times that State of Origin message is delivered it still has a habit of surprising us when we get a repeat of the well worn underdog story.

So who stood up and who wilted as the Maroons ripped up the script and hung on for a stirring 26-24 victory?

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The Mole gives his verdict on all 34 players who took the field in Perth.

QUEENSLAND MAROONS

1. Kalyn Ponga - 5.5

Struggled as the Blues pressured him in their comeback, missing five tackles and making two handling errors. Made a couple of vital runs - but will it be enough to save his spot ahead of Walsh?

2. Xavier Coates - 5

Switched to the left wing in order to combat Zac Lomax in the air, which worked as the Blues flyer failed to score a try or even go close. But Coates saw little ball in the greasy conditions and Queensland never took advantage of his ability under the attacking bomb.

3. Robert Toia - 7

Got the better of Latrell Mitchell to create the Maroons' opening try and topped the backline tackle count. Solid performance from the 20-year-old.

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4. Valentine Holmes - 8

Rose to the occasion when the Maroons really needed him, especially with his goalkicking which proved the difference between the teams.

5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - 7

Revelled in his switch to the wing, scoring two tries to help Queensland to their big half time lead.

6. Cameron Munster - 9

The captaincy brought out the best in the star five-eighth, as he ran for 131 metres and set Queensland up for victory with a massive first half.

7. Tom Dearden - 8.5

Will be the Queensland halfback for years to come after a classy game under intense pressure as Daly Cherry-Evans' replacement. Played a hand in three tries to put the Maroons on course for victory.

8. Moeaki Fotuaika - 7

Fighting for his Origin survival, he ensured he will be there for the decider with a powerful performance up front.

9. Harry Grant - 8

Got the monkey off his back, winning his first Origin as a starting hooker, in brilliant fashion, terrorising the Blues around the rucks after his shocker in game one.

10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - 5.5

One of the few Maroons big guns who struggled, buckling under some strong Blue hits and making only 59 metres with the ball.

11. Reuben Cotter - 7.5

Justified his controversial selection with a non-stop game in attack and defence, causing the Blues plenty of troubles.

12. Kurt Capewell - 7.5

His recall was a Slater masterstroke - scored a try, rattled the Blues with some big hits and ran for over 100 metres.

13. Trent Loiero - 7

Lifted his game after a poor debut in Brisbane and despite a HIA from a Lomax elbow, racked up 41 tackles and some strong carries.

14. Kurt Mann - 6

Did just what Billy Slater asked of him on debut off the bench - lifted the team's intensity and enthusiasm.

15. Lindsay Collins - 7

Led the Maroons forwards in run metres - a fine effort from the bench - and pulled off some big hits to force errors from the NSW forwards.

16. Jeremiah Nanai - 3

Dropped from the starting side after a fair game one, was barely sighted with a mere two runs with the ball. May struggle to hold his spot.

17. Patrick Carrigan - 6.5

Made the most of his 33 minutes of field time, running with plenty of power and working hard in defence when the Maroons needed him.

NSW BLUES

1. Dylan Edwards - 7

Solid in the wet at the back under intense pressure, created a try and ran for over 100 metres. Did enough to maintain his spot for game three ahead of James Tedesco.

2. Brian To'o - 8.5

At his best in conditions not made for wingers, bagging a hat-trick and running for a game high 232 metres.

3. Stephen Crichton - 6

Was below par in the first half as Queensland dominated but lifted his game as the Blues charged home, scoring a crucial try.

4. Latrell Mitchell - 7.5

A typical Latrell performance - some poor errors but also some big plays that helped get NSW back into the contest.

5. Zac Lomax - 5

His running game was well down on game one and missed three of his five shots at goal - albeit several tough ones in the awful conditions. He also failed to score a try although provided some important kick-chase pressure which forced Kalyn Ponga into errors.

6. Jarome Luai - 7.5

Like many of the Blues, struggled in the first half but then really lifted after making adjustments to his game and led the second half fightback.

7. Nathan Cleary - 5

Looked hampered by a leg injury in a disappointing performance in which he was out-pointed by Dearden. In a game with 50 points, didn't have a try assist or line break assist. He also could not take the kicking tee off Lomax, who was having a shocker with the boot.

8. Max King - 4

One player who will struggle to hold his place for the decider after not taking his chance in the starting side. Made just 47 metres in 25 minutes of game time.

9. Reece Robson - 5

Another player facing the axe - NSW need to find a hooker to match the creativity of Harry Grant or the series will be lost.

10. Payne Haas - 8.5

Once again ran more metres than any forward on the field (145) and was the key figure in the Blues' second-half comeback.

11. Liam Martin - 5.5

Seemed intent more on living up to his bad boy reputation than doing what he does best - made a couple of big hits but gained just 41 metres in 80 minutes - not good enough.

12. Angus Crichton - 6

Missed several crucial tackles - including one that led to a try - but dangerous on the edges in defence and scored a try when the Blues really needed him.

13. Isaah Yeo - 6.5

The star of game one was less effective against the Maroon wall in Perth but no one could question his effort - 30 tackles with no misses and over 100 run metres.

14. Connor Watson - 5

Was given the final 20 minutes to save the game off the bench and was lively without doing enough to turn the tide.

15. Spencer Leniu - 5.5

Didn't have much impact in his 26 minutes but ran straight and hard in an effort to get the spluttering Blues attack back on track.

16. Hudson Young - 6

The Blues' most effective bench forward, bending back the Quensland line and coming up with 32 tackles in quick time before making a crucial late error.

17. Stefano Utoikamanu - 3

Looked out of his depth with just five carries for 41 metres - will be the first man dropped for Sydney. Should not have been there on form.