Don’t Underestimate Queensland!
Queensland has once again proven that they should never be counted out, delivering a thrilling 26-24 victory in a gripping State of Origin showdown. Despite being labelled as the underdogs, the Maroons showcased their resilience and determination, leading to a surprising triumph over New South Wales.
In this intense encounter, the individual performances of players were paramount. The following are assessments of the Queensland Maroons:
- Kalyn Ponga (5.5): Faced challenges, particularly in defence, with missed tackles and handling errors, though he contributed some pivotal runs.
- Xavier Coates (5): Tasked with neutralising a key opponent, he had limited involvement due to poor conditions.
- Robert Toia (7): Stood out, overcoming a seasoned opponent to set up an early try while commanding the backline’s defensive efforts.
- Valentine Holmes (8): Delivered under pressure, with his accurate goalkicking proving crucial in the final result.
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (7): Thrived in his wing position, scoring two tries to help Queensland build momentum.
- Cameron Munster (9): His leadership was instrumental, with a standout performance including significant running metres and orchestrating plays.
- Tom Dearden (8.5): Filled in admirably for Daly Cherry-Evans, participating in three tries and demonstrating composure under pressure.
- Moeaki Fotuaika (7): Fought hard to secure his place in the squad with a robust display.
- Harry Grant (8): Exceled in his starting role, significantly impacting the game after a rocky start to the series.
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (5.5): Struggled against a powerful Blue’s defence, lacking impact with only limited contributions.
- Reuben Cotter (7.5): Justified his controversial selection with a relentlessly energetic game.
- Kurt Capewell (7.5): Made scoring contributions and remained impactful throughout the match.
- Trent Loiero (7): Improved from his earlier performance, showing resilience and strong tackling.
- Kurt Mann (6): Injected energy in his debut, meeting team expectations.
- Lindsay Collins (7): Led the forward pack in run metres and impactful defensive plays.
- Jeremiah Nanai (3): Struggled for visibility during the match and may face a spot challenge going forward.
- Patrick Carrigan (6.5): Contributed effectively in his limited minutes.
Despite the loss, the New South Wales Blues showcased notable players, particularly Bryan To’o who shone with a hat-trick performance, showcasing incredible resilience even in challenging conditions. Players like Payne Haas were crucial in their comeback efforts, while others, like Nathan Cleary, faced disappointing battles against the Maroons’ defence.
The match exemplified why Queensland should never be written off and sets the stage for an eagerly awaited decider, with both teams ready to make necessary adjustments ahead of the final encounter in this series.