3 minute read

Dylan Edwards starred on debut and Mitchell Moses repaid Michael Maguire's faith in style as NSW put in the most dominant first half in State of Origin history.

NSW PLAYER RATINGS FROM ORIGIN II

1 Dylan Edwards - 9

Made the NSW No.1 jersey his own with an all-action performance including an assist and a try as well as amassing the most run metres for his side.

2 Brian To'o - 8.5

Scored two tries and ran an impressive 158 metres as the Blues' left edge dominated in a brutal first-half blitz. Was assured under the high ball.

3 Latrell Mitchell - 9

Announced his return to the Blues line-up with a powerful first run, before pulling off a flick-pass assist to To'o and later scoring a try of his own, but was also put on report for a high tackle on Xavier Coates.

4 Stephen Crichton - 9.5

Dominated his opposite number Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, including pulling the Queensland flyer into the in-goal to force a drop-out, as well as a key intercept when defending on his line before eventually setting up Zac Lomax for his second try with a flick-pass offload.

5 Zac Lomax - 9.5

Excelled in another flawless display after he was a shining light in game one, scoring two tries, including one that involved an impressive leap over Murray Taulagi to pluck Mitchell Moses' kick out of the air and score in the corner. Also impressed with the boot, scoring four conversions from the sideline.

6 Jarome Luai - 7.5

Had a strong running game, including three tackle busts, but was very much playing second fiddle to his outstanding halves partner.

7 Mitchell Moses - 10

Clearly the man of the match as he steered NSW in one of the all-time great State of Origin performances, including four try assists and an imperious display with the boot. His defensive intensity was impressive, twice forcing knock-ons from Tom Dearden.

8 Jake Trbojevic - 5

Again played less than a half of football as NSW captain. Made plenty of runs early in the first half but from then on barely registered as the rest of the Blues forward pack dominated.

9 Reece Robson - 7

Fed plenty of good ball from dummy-half, a solid if under-the-radar display from the North Queensland rake.

10 Payne Haas - 6.5

Plenty of tackling and strong running from the Broncos prop, amassing 158 running metres and 38 tackles.

11 Liam Martin - 7.5

Slipped through the Queensland defence to score the first try of the night but fell foul of the referees, finding himself on report for a lifting penalty on Reuben Cotter and in the sin bin for an aggressive head rub on Jaydn Su'a.

12 Angus Crichton - 8

Was instrumental in Mitchell's try with a flick-pass offload to Edwards in the lead up and forced a knock-on with a huge hit on Valentine Holmes as the Queensland centre was juggling a pass from Reece Walsh.

13 Cameron Murray - 7

Strong running from the South Sydney lock on his return from injury, as well as topping the tackle tally for NSW with 29, although he missed one.

14 Connor Watson - 6

Made a good impression with a strong first run on his debut after coming on in the 64th minute but only had the chance to make four carries in a limited display.

15 Isaah Yeo - 5.5

One of the quieter members in a dominant NSW Blues outfit, making 11 runs and 20 tackles.

16 Haumole Olakau'atu - 5

Made a big hit on Xavier Coates but did little else in a limited display in which he was given less than 20 minutes of game time.

17 Spencer Leniu - 6.5

Made a line-break and ran strongly when he had the chance to, having been one of the leading lights for the Blues in game one, but only managed six carries.