The Mole's Origin I player ratings: Queensland veteran 'badly exposed' as Ponga-forced reshuffle flipped script

In one of the most extraordinary contests in recent Origin history, the Blues snatched an unlikely 22-20 victory at the death to cash in on Kalyn Ponga's controversial send-off.

New South Wales were ordinary in the opening half but when an opportunity opened up to get back into the game they took it with both hands.

The result, which the Blues desperately needed at home to set up the series, gives both teams plenty to think about and not all the players on the field stepped up to the occasion.

READ MORE: Tedesco magic steals 'most unlikely comeback'

READ MORE: 'No way': Commentators stunned by Ponga send-off

READ MORE: Controversy strikes to wipe Murray try

Wide World of Sports separates the studs from the duds in The Mole's player ratings.

NSW BLUES

1. James Tedesco

Out of position for Queensland's two grubber tries but won the game for the Blues with a mighty leap to catch a bomb in the final 90 seconds.

Rating: 8

2. Brian To'o

A horror start, dropping three balls in succession, two of which led to points, before redeeming himself in the second half.

Rating: 7

3. Stephen Crichton

Made plenty of errors but showed his class by setting up Strange's try in the moment that turned the tide in the Blues' favour.

Rating: 7

4. Kotoni Staggs

Got few chances in the heavy conditions but still managed to grind out 170 metres through sheer power and effort.

Rating: 7.5

5. Tolutau Koula

A memorable debut, was one of the few Blues to shine when it was 13 v 13 - what a pity he might not remember much after being knocked senseless by Ponga.

Rating: 8

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18. Ethan Strange

Outstanding debut from a youngster made for Origin - scored a vital try and had another taken away by the Bunker. One of the Blues' best.

Rating: 8.5

7. Nathan Cleary

Under pressure before the game and quiet in the first half but totally took control when the Blues had the man overlap to snatch the win.

Rating: 9

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

Didn't make a huge impact in the trenches in his first game in Blue with just nine runs for 79 metres.

Rating: 6

9. Reece Robson

Solid in defence but again did little out of dummy half - just three runs all game… needs to be more creative.

Rating: 5

10. Mitchell Barnett

A solid effort - but his clubmate Jackson Ford would almost certainly have been more effective.

Rating: 5.5

11. Hudson Young

Topped the Blues' tackle count and scored their first try - his enthusiasm was a key factor in the victory.

Rating: 8

12. Haumole Olakau'atu

The only Blues forward to run for over 100 metres, had some good moments and should gain confidence for game two.

Rating: 7.5

13. Isaah Yeo

A quiet running game with just 75 metres but led the team well and kept them focused and together when they were 20-0 down early on.

Rating: 6.5

14. Cameron Murray

Lifted the Blues' intensity from the bench and unlucky to have a try chalked off by the bunker.

Rating: 6

15. Victor Radley

Brought into the squad to add a hard edge and certainly did that, rattling several Maroons with his hard-hitting defence.

Rating: 6

17. Blayke Brailey

Much more dangerous at dummy half than Robson at the business end of the game and threw the pass for Cleary's crucial try.

Rating: 6.5

19. Casey McLean

Replaced Koula when he was concussed and looked great on debut with limited chances in the final 20 minutes.

Rating: 6

21. Matt Burton

Only got on for the last couple of minutes and had few chances.

Rating: 3

Queensland Maroons

1. Kalyn Ponga

Was causing the Blues plenty of problems before being controversially sent off for a shoulder charge on Koula with 22 minutes left on the clock. Ultimately his careless action turned the result against the Maroons.

Rating: 2

2. Selwyn Cobbo

An outstanding return to the Origin arena, running for 180 metres and safely handling the bomb barrage that NSW sent his way.

Rating: 8

3. Robert Toia

The young centre won his battle with Crichton, scored the opening try of the game and was solid in defence.

Rating: 7.5

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Well marked by the Blues defence but still managed to score his customary try. Unlucky to be out jumped by Tedesco at the death when switched to fullback.

Rating: 7

5. Jojo Fifita

Had few chances in attack but made invaluable metres running the ball back from the deep - did enough to retain his spot for game two.

Rating: 6.5

6. Cameron Munster

Set up one try with a clever grubber but otherwise kept fairly well in check by the Blues defence.

Rating: 7

7. Sam Walker

The key man as Queensland charged to their 20-0 lead with two try assists and handled being targeted by the Blues' big forwards in defence. A fine debut.

Rating: 9

8. Thomas Flegler

Celebrated his return to Origin after more than 1000 days' absence with a fine try and a solid display up the middle.

Rating: 7

9. Harry Grant

Topped the Maroons' tackle count but he was in the team for his attack and was very quiet with just six runs.

Rating: 6

10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Held up the Queensland forwards' momentum with his strength and size in attack and defence.

Rating: 7

11. Reuben Cotter

His club form hasn't been what it has been in previous years and it was the same here - just 10 runs for 88 metres.

Rating: 6

12. Kurt Capewell

Always lifts when he puts on the Maroon jumper and was excellent in his role as an edge forward but was badly exposed out in the centres when he was shifted in a forced backline reshuffle when Ponga went off. Kotoni Staggs absolutely tormented him for 20 minutes as the Blues made their comeback.

Rating: 4

13. Max Plath

Took some time to come to terms with the step up to Origin but made few errors and will be better for the experience.

Rating: 5.5

14. Briton Nikora

Another new boy to find the going a bit hard - just three runs in over 40 minutes of game time off the bench.

Rating: 4

15. Lindsay Collins

Only got 27 minutes and couldn't do a lot to make an impact for the Queenslanders in that time.

Rating: 4

16. Patrick Carrigan

Easily the Maroons' best bench forward, making more metres than any forward despite spending half the game on the pine. Should start game two.

Rating: 7.5

17. Trent Loiero

Barely sighted in his 15 minutes in the second half - Queensland need to find a better bench option next time.

Rating: 3