Player Ratings

Two of Queensland’s most important players played their “worst games of the season” and one of their teammates may not play Origin again.

The youngest player ever to start a World Cup match for the Socceroos was a shining light among several standout performances in a crucial draw.

Some of NSW’s selections boldest selections went wrong, with the bench strategy misfiring, a key member of the spine underdone and a debut to forget.

One Queensland player suffered more than most after the Kalyn Ponga send-off forced a reshuffle that turned the game on its head.

PLAYER RATINGS: Australia has a keeper who is best in the world right now but there is one selection position under contention.

RATINGS: Mitchell Starc's performance should go down in Ashes folklore, but it may get overshadowed by the brilliance of his teammate.

Reece Walsh put forth the best performance by a fullback in a grand final for many years, scoring a try, setting up three and saving two.

One player "should never have been there", while two others looked restricted by their limited preparation in a nightmare for the Blues.

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

A number of Australian players struggled as the Matildas lost all three games at their first SheBelieves Cup.