The Mole: NSW and Queensland player ratings for Game Three of Origin

Queensland were taunted with claims they were the worst Origin side ever multiple times in the series yet they came through to lift the shield with a dominant 20-14 victory in the decider.

Here's who starred and who flopped for both sides:

QUEENSLAND

1. Corey Allan

Had a horror start to the game, gifting the Blues their first try, but got better from there.

Rating: 6

2. Valentine Holmes

Scored the opening try and looked far more comfortable on the wing than last week at fullback, but bombed two tries.

Rating: 5

3. Dane Gagai

His quietest game of the series but was still solid and came up with a try assist.

Rating: 6

4. Brenko Lee

Found the pace a little hard in his Origin debut but didn't make any errors.

Rating: 5

5. Edrick Lee

Showed himself right up to Origin standard in an impressive performance.

Rating: 7

6. Cameron Munster

The best performance by a Queensland number six since Wally Lewis - gave the Blues nightmares all game.

Rating: 9

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

His best game of the series, leading the team well and steering them around the park.

Rating: 8

8. Christian Welch

His return after missing game two helped the Maroons turn the tide.

Rating: 6

9. Jake Friend

Gave his heart and soul - as he always does - but the Maroons were far more dangerous with Grant at dummy-half.

Rating: 5

10. Josh Papalii

Played a different role to his usual one, making little yardage but topping his team's tackle count.

Rating: 7

11. Kurt Capewell

Never really got into the game but still had a fine series overall.

Rating: 5

12. Felise Kaufusi

Worked hard for Wayne Bennett in defence and attack without doing anything outstanding.

Rating: 6

13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Took the points in his re-match with Haas, making the hard yards up the middle.

Rating: 7

14. Jaydn Su'A

Didn't do a lot for the Maroons' cause but will learn from the experience.

Rating: 4

15. Harry Grant

Added plenty of zip from dummy-half when given his chance - should have been there from game one.

Rating: 7

16. Lindsay Collins

Outstanding off the bench, adding enthusiasm and thrust to the Maroons pack.

Rating: 7

17. Jai Arrow

Quiet game apart from his cheap shot on Tedesco.

Rating: 5

NEW SOUTH WALES

1. James Tedesco

Scored the Blues' opening try before being forced from the field after copping an accidental knee to the head.

Rating: 2

2. Daniel Tupou

Strong again for the Blues, scoring his second try in as many games and running the ball back with great purpose.

Rating: 7

3. Clinton Gutherson

Worked hard when shifted back to fullback and created a smart try for Tupou.

Rating: 6

4. Jack Wighton

Saw little ball in open space and made a couple of errors.

Rating: 5

5. Josh Addo-Carr

Was out of position for Queensland's opening try and it all went downhill from there.

Rating: 4

6. Cody Walker

After his breakout performance last week, looked totally out of sorts tonight.

Rating: 4

7. Nathan Cleary

Kicked well and tried hard but had little possession deep in Queensland territory.

Rating: 6

8. Daniel Saifiti

Made the most metres for the Blues but rarely bent back the defensive line.

Rating: 6

9. Damien Cook

The Blues needed him to put Queensland on the back foot with his darting runs from dummyhalf and it just didn't happen.

Rating: 5

10. Payne Haas

Topped the Blues tackle count but made a mere 25 running metres in a disappointing showing.

Rating: 5

11. Angus Crichton

The best Blues forward over the three games, was against dangerous with the ball.

Rating: 7

12. Tyson Frizell

Had little impact and looked a player in need of a long break by fulltime.

Rating: 5

13. Jake Trbojevic

Did plenty of work but was well contained by the Queensland defence.

Rating: 6

14. Dale Finucane

Tried to lift the Blues from the bench but couldn't quite manage to change the tone of the game.

Rating: 5

15. Junior Paulo

A handful for the defence without being able to come up with the big plays when they were needed.

Rating: 5

16. Nathan Brown

Had little game time and tried in vain to assert his authority on the game.

Rating: 4

17. Isaah Yeo

Unfortunate to be shunted to right centre when Tedesco went off and was targeted by the speedy Queensland backs.

Rating: 5