Queensland pulled off another incredible State of Origin escape, winning the series opener 26-18 in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
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Reduced to 12 men halfway through the second half follow Thomas Flegler’s questionable yellow card, the Maroons defied the odds yet again to score twice in the closing stages through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Cameron Munster.
Here’s who excelled and who disappointed in the series opener at the Adelaide Oval as the Maroons took a 1-0 lead.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (left) put Queensland ahead with a late try in the second half
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QUEENSLAND
Reece Walsh – 8
The Queensland debutant was solid under the high ball despite heavy pressure from the Blues and played a part in Selwyn Cobbo’s try.
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Selwyn Cobbo – 7.5
Made up for an early error by scoring a try in the second half and defended well.
Valentine Holmes – 6
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More subdued than usual, gave away a number of penalties and couldn’t stop Liam Martin for the Blues’ first try.
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Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 8.5
Back in the Origin arena for the first time in two years and seized the opportunity emphatically, scoring a superb try that proved crucial.
Murray Taulagi – 7.5
Twice denied the Blues with try-saving tackles on James Tedesco and Tyson Frizell.
Cameron Munster – 7.5
Stood up when it mattered, never losing his cool as Queensland chased the game with 12 game and wrapped up the win with a well-taken try.
Daly Cherry-Evans – 7
Kicked well and was calm under pressure in the first half. His leadership remains invaluable for Queensland.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 7.5
Switched into the starting side, he took the game to New South Wales with some thunderous hits.
Ben Hunt – 7
A strong presence in defence, made a couple of good breaks in the first half and played a role in the Maroons’ opening try.
Reuben Cotter – 8.5
The man-of-the-match was everywhere in Game I and went through a mountain of work for the Maroons.
David Fifita – 6.5
Carried the ball hard and with purpose throughout.
Tom Gilbert – 5
Left early with a dislocated shoulder.
Pat Carrigan – 7
A big presence as usual, he worked hard throughout and tackled well.
INTERCHANGE
Harry Grant – 6.5
Made a late impact with typically darting runs that put Queensland on the front foot.
Thomas Flegler – 6
A good shift off the bench and can count himself unlucky to be sin-binned in the second half.
Lindsay Collins – 7
Gave away a penalty for entering the game before Gilbert had left the field, but more than made up for it by beating Tedesco to the ball to set up Munster’s try.
Jai Arrow – 6
Replaced Fifita late on and was solid enough.
NEW SOUTH WALES
James Tedesco – 5
Should have played Josh Addo-Carr in for a try in the first half but didn’t and slipped to allow Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in for Queensland’s fourth try
Brian To’o – 7.5
Carried the ball well and put the Maroons defence on the back foot despite seeing little of the ball
Stephen Crichton – 6
Started well and scored in the second half, but his impact tailed off as the game went on and Queensland denied him space.
Tom Trbojevic – 6.5
Back in a Blues jersey after missing last year’s series, he was very busy until he left the field with a concussion.
Josh Addo-Carr – 5
The Fox’s Origin return failed to live up to expectations as Addo-Carr was comprehensively outplayed by Murray Taulagi.
Jarome Luai – 6
Showed why he’s still the owner of the No.6 jersey by setting up the Blues’ first and third tries.
Nathan Cleary – 6.5
Less prominent than usual, kicked well and controlled the game with aplomb. His bomb set up New South Wales’ third try.
Tevita Pangai Junior – 6
Gave away a penalty early on, but was otherwise very disciplined and the fireworks some expected never materialised.
Api Koroisau – 5.5
Scored the Blues’ second try but was otherwise largely anonymous and struggled to get into the game.
Payne Haas – 6
Not at his usual devastating best as the Maroons defence had his number.
Tyson Frizell – 6
Just missed out on scoring a try on his Origin return and went through a lot of defensive work.
Hudson Young – 4.5
Dished out some rough treatment to Daly Cherry-Evans, but dropped the ball and gave away a cheap penalty.
Isaah Yeo – 5
Struggled to get involved and did not carry with the usual purpose.
INTERCHANGES
Junior Paulo – 6.5
Made an impact with some strong running after coming off the bench.
Cameron Murray – 5.5
Brought on as the New South Wales started to tire, he did not have the impact Brad Fittler would have hoped for.
Liam Murray – 7.5
Scored the Blues’ first try and was a constant nuisance for Queensland, just as he had promised.
Nicho Hynes – 5
His long-awaited Origin debut came later than expected, but he missed a crucial tackle in the lead-up Tabuai-Fidow’s try.
