State of Origin: NSW player ratings as Zac Lomax makes strong debut in losing side
NSW PLAYER RATINGS FROM ORIGIN I
1 James Tedesco - 7
Scored the Blues’ first try and was tireless in attack, but the mountain was too high to climb for the veteran in a brave performance for a losing side.
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Ran for an impressive 184 metres in a high-effort performance but was unable to make an impact on the scoreboard against Queensland’s extra man.
3 Stephen Crichton - 6.5
Returned the ball powerfully and cut down the threat of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow after being shifted to right centre late in the first half.
4 Joseph Suaalii - N/A
Played just seven minutes in his debut, becoming the sixth man in series history to get sent off after flattening Reece Walsh with an ugly shoulder to the head. This could be the end of his Origin career with the 20-year-old set for a switch to rugby union at the end of the season.
5 Zac Lomax - 8
The debutant was NSW’s best player, scoring a try by leaping above Selwyn Cobbo off a Nicho Hynes cross-field kick and running for a game-high 207 metres with his powerful ball carries, but was largely powerless to stop the Hammer from scoring two tries on his flank after he lost his centre.
6 Jarome Luai - 7
Caught out at marker by Daly Cherry-Evans for Queensland’s opener but set up NSW’s first try with a deft grubber for Tedesco. Tried hard to create an opening with his jinking runs but was fighting an uphill battle.
7 Nicho Hynes - 6
Struggled to recreate his hot attacking form with Cronulla as his opposite number Cherry-Evans controlled the game, but showed a glimpse of what he can do with a pin-point kick to Lomax on the wing for the Blues’ second try.
8 Jake Trbojevic - 5
The first-time NSW captain played just 28 minutes after being subbed off in the first half and had little impact on the game. Failed to lift a losing side facing great adversity.
9 Reece Robson - 6
Racked up a mountain of tackles, including a try-saver on Jeremiah Nanai in the second half when the back-rower looked certain to score, but showed little in attack.
10 Payne Haas - 6
Ran for 106 metres and made 38 tackles in a hard-working shift from the Broncos prop as the NSW forward pack dominated for large periods despite the numerical disadvantage.
11 Liam Martin - 7
Injected some extra spice into the last 15 minutes with a monster tackle on J’Maine Hopgood, but the Penrith second-rower had a tough night for covering the void left by Suaalii on the right flank, relegated to a spectator as Tabuai-Fidow ran rings around him to score twice on his side in the first half.
12 Angus Crichton - 7.5
Pulled off a one-on-one steal off Patrick Carrigan early in the second half that led to the Blues’ second try of the night, on top of running for 164 metres and 25 tackles.
13 Cam McInnes - 6.5
The debutant had a solid game in trying circumstances, making 36 tackles and running for 70 metres.
14 Isaah Yeo - 6
Worked hard as part of a high-rotation bench, making 93 metres off 13 runs and 27 tackles.
15 Haumole Olakau’atu - 5
Lost the ball to relieve pressure off Queensland when the Blues were looking to turn the screw in the second half and had an uncharacteristically quiet performance in his first Origin game.
16 Spencer Leniu - 7.5
Made a big impact as a substitute with powerful running and looked to have scored a try but was somehow held up by fill-in fullback Tabuai-Fidow. Shook off a sore knee and cleared an HIA to make 104 metres in a spirited display.
17 Hudson Young - 5.5
Barely registered in his 22-minute stint, making just two runs and six tackles in an uncharacteristically low energy effort from the Canberra stalwart.
