Queensland sealed a second consecutive State of Origin series victory with a stunning 32-6 win at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Maroons defended resolutely against a New South Wales team that failed to convert possession and territorial superiority into points, seizing their opportunities with clinical precision.
Daly Cherry-Evans rolled back the years with a stellar performance as he steered his team across the park, while Reece Walsh overcame a sloppy star to cut open the Blues at will in the second half.
Rocked by an early injury to Tom Trbojevic, New South Wales trailed 10–0 at half time and never recovered, wasting a host of glorious chances as passes went out of bounds too often.
Here’s who excelled and who disappointed as the Maroons sealed another Origin triumph.
Queensland achieved a second straight Origin triumph by beating NSW 32-6 in Game II
QUEENSLAND
Reece Walsh – 9
Hard to believe, less than a month ago, Billy Slater was questioned for picking Walsh at fullback.
He put Queensland first in the second half with a superb run, before setting up Holmes’s second goal with a brilliant pass and working his way through the Blues’ defense to put Coates in for the Maroons’ fifth try .
A few drops in the first half could have been costly, especially as the first of them seemed to have freed Crichton, before Cherry-Evans intervened.
His sending off won’t take the shine off another great performance and could only endear him even more to Maroons fans.
Reece Walsh was outstanding for the Maroons in his second Origin game
Xavier Coates-8
A thorn in the side for the Blues during the match, he set up Queensland’s first try by beating Cook in the air and led the Maroons in line-breaks. Sealed the Maroons’ victory with an excellent effort in the corner.
Valentine Holmes – 8.5
Superb awareness to open the scoring was one of Queensland’s best players in the first half as the hosts struggled to withstand the pressure. In the right place at the right house to score the second of the Maroons.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 8
The Game I hero was there again on Wednesday night, putting in Murray Taulagi for the second try with a brilliant pass and then scoring the Maroons’ fourth as Taulagi became provider.
Murray Taulagi – 8.5
Defensively solid and a constant threat at the other end of the field, he scored Queensland’s second try of the night with a smart finish. Got a try-saving tackle on Crichton in the second half, before setting up Tabuai-Fidow’s try.
Murray Taulagi scored Queensland’s second try of the night with a smart finish
Cameron Munster – 7.5
He was less involved than in Game I, did a lot of defensive work and kept the Maroons going with some accurate kicking. Played a vital role in Queensland’s fourth try, guiding the Maroons down the pitch.
Daly Cherry-Evans (c) – 9
Calm and composure under pressure, the Maroons captain may not be the flashiest player in the park, but he remains one of Queensland’s most important players.
Sprinted with the speed of a man 10 years his junior to save a try in the first half to save Crichton and minutes later sliced through the New South Wales defense to set up the Maroons’ second try.
Maroon skipper Daly Cherry-Evans was excellent for the Maroons
Thomas Flegler – 7
A late inclusion on the starting team, he ran hard and tackled with abandon. Very solid performance, but was only on the field for 19 minutes.
Ben Hunt-6.5
The hero of the 2022 decision maker saw little action on Wednesday evening, but was definitely on the field.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 7
A ubiquitous presence in the first half with Queensland on the back foot. Tackled hard and launched himself on loose balls as if his life depended on it. Yeo tied with a brutal tackle late in the game.
David Fifita – 6.5
Played a vital role in Queensland’s second try with a pass to Tabuai-Fidow looking suspiciously ahead. Tested Moses’ strength with a direct run early in the game.
Reuben Cotter – 7.5
Selected to start on the eleventh hour, he repaid Slater’s decision by tackling with ferocious intensity and led the Maroons in tackling.
Reuben Cotter (center) worked tirelessly through the middle for the Maroons
Patrick Carrigan-7.5
Playing on his home court, he delivered the usual pace of hard running and tireless tackling. A true Origin player if there ever was one.
EXCHANGES
Harry Grant – 6.5
A huge presence when he came was heavily involved in both phases of the game. What a luxury it is for Billy Slater to be able to have a player of his caliber on the bench.
Lindsay Collins – 8
He fell to the bench and let his impact be felt as he came in. Rocked Luai with a brutal tackle that stopped a menacing Blues charge late in the first half.
Showed excellent football skills to stop a threatening move with his right boot in the second half. Already a cult hero of the Maroons.
Jeremiah Nanai – 7
A surprising omission from the starting XIII, he made his presence felt as he came up with some big tackles. Ran hard in possession and scored the Maroons’ last try.
Moeaki Fotuaika-6
A solid enough display from the bank.
NEW SOUTH WALES
James Tedesco (c) – 5
Determined to make up for a horror show in Game I, he seemed to lead from the front. Spent a glorious first half opportunity when his pass sailed out of bounds with four tackles left and the Maroons on the back foot.
Made a saving tackle attempt off Walsh early in the second half.
James Tedesco tried to make up for a poor performance in Game I, but was not at his best
Brian To’o – 6
Solidly defending, he saw little of the ball across the field as Queensland choked the Blues.
Stephen Crichton – 5.5
It looked like he would make it to New South Wales with an interception attempt reminiscent of his effort for Samoa against England in the World Cup, but Cherry-Evans had other ideas. Was denied by a tackle from Taulagi in the second half.
Tom Trbojevic – 3
Gave away an early penalty, before suffering a pectoral injury that ruled him out for the rest of the game with just three minutes left. Desperate bad luck.
Josh Addo Carr – 3
Another frustrating display for the Fox, who were largely isolated and out of possession as the Blues failed to convert possession and territorial advantage into points.
Failed to stop Walsh for the try that sealed Queensland’s victory and was also at fault for Nanai’s late scoring and was thrown into sin for throwing a punch late.
Josh Addo-Carr had a night to forget in Brisbane and was forgiven of sin in the end
Jarome Luai – 5.5
His usual busy self researched and plotted to unlock Queensland’s defence, to no avail, but he clearly missed not having Nathan Cleary alongside him.
Got sent off late along with Walsh.
Mitchell Moses – 6.5
Replacing Nathan Cleary is almost impossible, but the Eels playmaker knew himself well, especially in the first half.
Junior Paulo – 5.5
Spent only 32 minutes in the park, despite a big impact in the beginning. Gave away a cheap penalty that stopped the Blues’ momentum in the second half.
Reece Robson-6
Fittler’s big roster call ahead kickoff, he huffed and puffed and amassed a game-high 46 tackles.
Payne Haas – 5.5
An enemy on his own turf, who pressed hard throughout the match, failed to break down the Maroons’ defensive wall. A costly misstep enabled Tabuai-Fidow for Queensland’s fourth try.
Payne Haas worked hard for the Blues, but failed to break the line of the Maroons
Tyson Frizell-5
Ran purposefully as the Blues forward fell out early, but failed to break through the Maroons line.
Hudson Young – 5
Midway through the first half a huge hit to Xavier Coates and ran hard, but made little impact in the second half as the Blues disintegrated.
Isaac Yeo – 6
He ran with the usual aim and at times seemed to want to conquer Queensland single-handedly. His efforts were frustrated by the Blues’ lack of accuracy in the final third.
EXCHANGES
Stefano Utoikamanu – 4
A negligible impact from the bank, not entirely through its own fault.
Cameron Murray-4.5
Lifted the Blues after coming on and Fittler’s decision not to play him in center after Trbojevic’s injury will undoubtedly be a point of contention.
Damien Cook struggled throughout the game after Tom Trbojevic’s injury forced him into the center early doors
Liam Martin – 5.5
Started on the bench and made an immediate impact when he came on, but failed to turn the tide as the Blues were overrun.
Damien Kok – 5
Thrown into the centers after Trbojevic’s injury, he squandered a great opportunity in the second half when his pass fell behind Addo-Carr. Redeemed himself by scoring the Blues’ first try.