Nathan Cleary responded to his critics with a stunning performance in New South Wales’ 44-12 win over Queensland.
Cleary copped a lot of criticism after game one but shone as the Blues’ best on Sunday with two tries, two try assists, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts and 68 running metres.
James Tedesco, as expected, was a standout but Jarome Luai has a lot of room for improvement.
Jake Trbojevic made the most of his opportunity after being recalled to the side and Matt Burton was outstanding on debut.
Player ratings:
1. JAMES TEDESCO 8.5
Bounced around like the Energiser Bunny all night in a typically silky display from the NSW captain. Outstanding performance.
2. BRIAN TO’O 6.5
A nervous moment early when lost sight of a bouncing ball in the NSW in-goal. Composed himself to submit a typically robust game. Scored a critical try on the stroke of halftime.
3. MATT BURTON 8
Gun player. Showed true class to handle the occasion even if he wasn’t heavily involved in the opening 15 minutes. Stepped up when the Blues needed to score a brilliant try off a Nathan Cleary cross-field grubber kick. Some of the floating bombs had funnel webs on them.
4. STEPHEN CRICHTON 6
Still finding his feet on rugby league’s biggest stage. Bad miss to allow Kalyn Ponga to cut the Blues open from midfield for the Cameron Munster try in the opening half.
5. DANIEL TUPOU 7
Busy coming out of yardage, safe under the high ball and a genuine attacking threat in decent field position. Justified selection even if he did throw a wild pass early in the second half.
6. JAROME LUAI 5
Awful opening 40 minutes giving away a crucial penalty and missing two critical tackles. Particularly bad read on Felise Kaufusi for the opening try of the game. Made amends in the second half with a good try but Maroons were out on feet by that stage.
7. NATHAN CLEARY 9
Due for an epic performance and delivered right on cue. Produced the full array of tricks in attack from the Matt Burton grubber to the floating pass to Daniel Tupou to a pair of tries once the Maroons were on the back foot.
8. PAYNE HAAS 7
Took the tough carries early by simply tucking the ball under the wing and then getting the Blues quick play-the-balls for a fast platform.
9. APISAI KOROISAU 8
Superb. Brilliant guile and craft out of dummy-half set the tempo of the game up for the Blues prior to the controversial Felise Kaufusi sin binning.
10. JAKE TRBOJEVIC 8.5
The Blues best forward was shades of Bradley Clyde and Ray Price. Rubber stamped return to the Origin arena by tightening up the middle of the field for the Blues.
11. CAMERON MURRAY 7
Typically work-a-holic performance. Forced off early for an HIA and a badly cut ear. Busy with and without the ball either side of the spell.
12. LIAM MARTIN 7
Public Enemy no.1 for the Maroons submitted just what NSW needed from him. Bustling and effective, Martin more than held his hands up.
13. ISAAH YEO 7.5
Completely different influence on the game without the head knock in the opening tackle. Critical link in the middle and combination with Cleary and Api Korisau was outstanding.
14. DAMIEN COOK 6.5
Complimented the inclusion of Api Korisau perfectly and looked a genuine running threat out of dummy-half. Smart selection moving him to the bench.
15. ANGUS CRICHTON 7
Entered into proceedings early doors when Cam Murray was forced off and always looks like belongs in the furnace of Origin football.
16. JUNIOR PAULO 7.5
Alongside Jake Turbo among the Blues best forwards. Looked to have altered his mentality to run first with every touch. Still found some clever offloads.
17. SIOSIFA TALAKAI 5
Only got a start once the game was already over but looks like will handle the arena.
TOTAL: 121
Cleary copped a lot of criticism after game one but shone as the Blues’ best on Sunday with two tries, two try assists, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts and 68 running metres.
James Tedesco, as expected, was a standout but Jarome Luai has a lot of room for improvement.
Jake Trbojevic made the most of his opportunity after being recalled to the side and Matt Burton was outstanding on debut.
Player ratings:
1. JAMES TEDESCO 8.5
Bounced around like the Energiser Bunny all night in a typically silky display from the NSW captain. Outstanding performance.
2. BRIAN TO’O 6.5
A nervous moment early when lost sight of a bouncing ball in the NSW in-goal. Composed himself to submit a typically robust game. Scored a critical try on the stroke of halftime.
3. MATT BURTON 8
Gun player. Showed true class to handle the occasion even if he wasn’t heavily involved in the opening 15 minutes. Stepped up when the Blues needed to score a brilliant try off a Nathan Cleary cross-field grubber kick. Some of the floating bombs had funnel webs on them.
4. STEPHEN CRICHTON 6
Still finding his feet on rugby league’s biggest stage. Bad miss to allow Kalyn Ponga to cut the Blues open from midfield for the Cameron Munster try in the opening half.
5. DANIEL TUPOU 7
Busy coming out of yardage, safe under the high ball and a genuine attacking threat in decent field position. Justified selection even if he did throw a wild pass early in the second half.
6. JAROME LUAI 5
Awful opening 40 minutes giving away a crucial penalty and missing two critical tackles. Particularly bad read on Felise Kaufusi for the opening try of the game. Made amends in the second half with a good try but Maroons were out on feet by that stage.
7. NATHAN CLEARY 9
Due for an epic performance and delivered right on cue. Produced the full array of tricks in attack from the Matt Burton grubber to the floating pass to Daniel Tupou to a pair of tries once the Maroons were on the back foot.
8. PAYNE HAAS 7
Took the tough carries early by simply tucking the ball under the wing and then getting the Blues quick play-the-balls for a fast platform.
9. APISAI KOROISAU 8
Superb. Brilliant guile and craft out of dummy-half set the tempo of the game up for the Blues prior to the controversial Felise Kaufusi sin binning.
10. JAKE TRBOJEVIC 8.5
The Blues best forward was shades of Bradley Clyde and Ray Price. Rubber stamped return to the Origin arena by tightening up the middle of the field for the Blues.
11. CAMERON MURRAY 7
Typically work-a-holic performance. Forced off early for an HIA and a badly cut ear. Busy with and without the ball either side of the spell.
12. LIAM MARTIN 7
Public Enemy no.1 for the Maroons submitted just what NSW needed from him. Bustling and effective, Martin more than held his hands up.
13. ISAAH YEO 7.5
Completely different influence on the game without the head knock in the opening tackle. Critical link in the middle and combination with Cleary and Api Korisau was outstanding.
14. DAMIEN COOK 6.5
Complimented the inclusion of Api Korisau perfectly and looked a genuine running threat out of dummy-half. Smart selection moving him to the bench.
15. ANGUS CRICHTON 7
Entered into proceedings early doors when Cam Murray was forced off and always looks like belongs in the furnace of Origin football.
16. JUNIOR PAULO 7.5
Alongside Jake Turbo among the Blues best forwards. Looked to have altered his mentality to run first with every touch. Still found some clever offloads.
17. SIOSIFA TALAKAI 5
Only got a start once the game was already over but looks like will handle the arena.
TOTAL: 121
