Player ratings: ‘Deer in the headlights’ must go as Blues gambles fail

Billy Slater’s men levelled the series with a dominant second half to steamroll the Blues 44-24. The Queensland win sets up a game three decider at Suncorp Stadium, tilting the odds back in the Maroons’ favour after they looked to be in trouble at half-time at the MCG.

There were some massive moments, with the Maroons’ superstars standing up when they were needed and some NSW guns shrinking in the spotlight. We run the rule over every player’s performance and separate the studs from the duds.

Queensland Maroons

1 Kalyn Ponga

Made up for his Sydney sin with a wonderful performance - safe at the back and played a hand in two tries before being ironed out by Staggs. Rating: 8.5

2 Selwyn Cobbo

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Superb in game one, even better in game two. Scored three tries, made a line break and produced a trysaver on the dangerous Nawaqanitawase, who did beat him once to score. Rating: 8.5

3 Robert Toia

Continues to thrive at the elite level, having a hand in a try and winning his battle with Koula out wide. Rating: 7

4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Loved the wide open spaces of the MCG, scoring a try and having a hand in another - way too quick for the Blues. Rating: 8

5 Jojo Fifita

Strong display highlighted by a memorable first Origin try that all but sealed the result midway through the second half. Rating: 7.5

6 Cameron Munster

The big stage brought out the best in the Maroons veteran as he put the Blues to the sword with his running and pin-point kicking. One of his finest Origins. Rating: 9

7 Sam Walker

Worked cleverly in tandem with Munster to set the speedy Queensland backline into motion as they carved up the Blues. Goalkicking immaculate from out wide as well. Rating: 9

8 Thomas Flegler

Never quite recovered from the shock of gifting the Blues the first try via a dropped ball and was quiet for the rest of the night. Rating: 4

9 Harry Grant

Did little out of dummy half in the first half but cut loose in the second as the Blues defence fatigued, helping turn the tide in emphatic fashion. Rating: 8

10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

A tough week, playing after his father passed away and copping an early HIA but still ran for over 120 metres. Rating: 7

11 Briton Nikora

Had few chances with the ball with the quick outside backs doing all the damage but worked hard in defence. Rating: 6

12 Kurt Capewell

Similar to Nikora - over-shadowed by the speedsters with the ball but as always, a true pro in defence. Rating: 5.5

13 Reuben Cotter

The Maroons’ energiser bunny, running for 120 metres and doing plenty of the hard work in defence in the middle. Rating: 7

14 Max Plath

Dynamic off the bench, having a hand in two tries and coming up with some great effort plays. Rating: 7.5

15 Lindsay Collins

Born to play Origin for Queensland, he was also strong off the pine and was rewarded with a fine try. Rating: 7

16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Only got eight minutes late in the game when it was already won and lost and had no impact. Rating: 3

17 Trent Loiero

Queensland won the battle of the bench by a long way, with this bloke also making a huge contribution, scoring a vital try to get his team back from a bad start. Rating: 7

NSW Blues

1 James Tedesco

Safe at the back and ran for a team-high 150 metres but couldn’t find any chinks in the Queensland defence. Rating: 7

2 Brian To’o

Had few chances in a mis-firing Blues backline but handled the pressure the Maroons applied to him well. Rating: 6.5

5 Tolutau Koula

Looked a little lost in his second start, making just 10 runs for 90 metres and losing his battle with Toia. Rating: 5.5

4 Kotoni Staggs

Was handed the opening try but his night went downhill from there - two vital tackle misses, three errors and a sin bin. Needs to go for the decider. Rating: 4

19 Mark Nawaqanitawase

Got three difficult chances and came away with two tries - a brilliant debut from a brilliant attacking winger. Rating: 8

6 Mitchell Moses

Hadn’t played in a month and should never have been selected over game one hero Ethan Strange - another player who needs to go. Barely sighted. Rating: 4

7 Nathan Cleary

Not at his dominant best but still laid on two of the Blues’ four tries and kicked well in general play. Rating: 7

8 Payne Haas

Touted as the Blues’ saviour after missing game one, a major disappointment with a mere 68 running metres. Rating: 5.5

9 Reece Robson

Light years behind Grant in the crucial run from dummy half stakes, making just two runs for 15 metres. NSW need to find a running hooker or the series is lost. Rating: 5

10 Mitchell Barnett

Played just 25 minutes and made little impact but did grab a late try to make the score less embarrassing. Rating: 5

11 Hudson Young

The only Blues forward to run for over 100 metres, tried his heart out but got little support from his mates. Rating: 7

12 Dylan Lucas

Many players get a deer in the headlights look on Origin debut and sadly he joins the list - played the full 80 minutes yet ran for just 49 metres. Rating: 5.5

13 Isaah Yeo

The Blues skipper failed to dent the Maroons line and may find himself on the bench in game three, with Murray a better option at 13. Rating: 6

14 Cameron Murray

The best of a poor Blues bench, lifting the intensity with his enthusiasm. Needs more game time at Suncorp. Rating: 6

15 Victor Radley

Worked hard in defence but his two high shot penalties cost the Blues dearly. Rating: 5

16 Addin Fonua-Blake

Used poorly by the coach, getting just 10 minutes and making four runs. Play him more or drop him for someone in form next time. Rating: 3 

18 Ethan Strange

A better starter than bench player, struggled to get into the game with limited minutes and Queensland well on top. Rating: 4