PLAYER RATINGS FOR THE BLUES FOR STATE OF ORIGIN III:
1. JAMES TEDESCO – Solid on his long-awaited debut. Ran for over 200m and made a great break to set up winning try. 7.5
2. BLAKE FERGUSON – Was full of energy early but still made some poor decisions including an error that gave Queensland the chance to open the scoring. 5.5
3. MICHAEL JENNINGS – Another who gave it plenty without making much impact. Then scored a match-winner and all was forgiven. 7
4. JOSH DUGAN – Lots of defensive work but didn’t trouble the Maroons’ line too much. Injured jaw and failed to finish match. 6
5. JOSH MANSOUR – Not a game for outside backs. Struggled to get involved then a slip nearly cost the Blues the match. 4.5
14. MATT MOYLAN – Thrust into unfamiliar five-eighth position. Tried hard and did some good things. Questionable defence and failed to stop Gavin Cooper’s try. 5.5
7. JAMES MALONEY – An honest footballer who had another solid game and was one of the Blues’ best this series. 7.5
8. AARON WOODS – Got through a mountain of work as always. If this bloke isn’t NSW’s next Origin captain then who else is? 8
9. ROBBIE FARAH – Plenty of tackles as always. Will it be the veteran hooker’s last Origin? 7.5
10. PAUL GALLEN (c) – A winning end to his Origin career capped by a conversion of Jennings’ match-sealing try. Walks away with head held high. 8
11. WADE GRAHAM – Decent start to Origin career but four missed tackles is a concern. 6
12. JOSH JACKSON – Solid as he has been throughout his Origin career but made a couple of errors at crucial times in second half. 5.5
13. TYSON FRIZELL – Scored his second try in his second Origin match and looks a real find for the Blues. 7
INTERCHANGE:
6. JACK BIRD – Played most of the second half, especially with Dugan injured but apart from one attack on Queensland’s tryline didn’t show much. 5.5
15. JAMES TAMOU – Did OK off the bench but his game really lacks the impact that made him such a damaging player two seasons ago. 6
16. DAVID KLEMMER – Made for Origin. Claimed over 100 metres off the bench. Damaging. 7.5
17. ANDREW FIFITA – Scored a try and then had a brainsnap to get sent to the sin bin in the second half. Sums up his Origin career really. 6.5