STATE OF ORIGIN: NSW player ratings Zac Lomax, Jarome Luai and Bradman Best lead the way for Blues

1 Dylan Edwards - 8

Ran for a game-high 238 metres in a game dominated by forwards. Despite being afforded little opportunity to show the attacking incisiveness he displayed in his Origin II debut, played a key role in keeping Queensland try-less and NSW on the front foot with ball in hand.

2 Brian To’o - 7

Ran hard but was unable to replicate the try-scoring form of his game II brace. A crunching tackle on Dane Gagai cut short a Queensland attacking play as they sought to get back into the game in the closing stages.

3 Bradman Best - 9.5

Was a revelation after missing the first two games of the series due to injury, scoring the opening try after somehow fending off Gagai while juggling the ball and avoiding the touchline, not to mention muscling up in defence throughout the game, and wearing the marks of his labours on his battered and bloody face.

4 Stephen Crichton - 7.5

Looked to have opened the scoring late in the second half but lost possession short of the line after a try-saving tackle from Tom Dearden, got his side back on the front foot with a leaping catch and linebreak straight off a Queensland restart after NSW’s second try.

5 Zac Lomax - 9

One of the best players of the opening two games was again a stand-out for NSW, a constant threat in aerial duels and showed great footballing intelligence to wait for Reece Walsh to rise off the ground before driving him into touch and pile the pressure on the Maroons. Also impressed with his kicking in a low-scoring game, including two goals from the touchline.

6 Jarome Luai - 9

Showed his ability running the ball by breaking Queensland’s right edge defensive line before finding Best on his outside to set up the opening try of the game. Got under the skin of opposite half Daly Cherry-Evans whose frustration boiled over in a melee with the Blues five-eighth in the opening half that resulted in two players sin-binned.

7 Mitchell Moses - 8.5

Took his time to imprint himself on the game after a man-of-the-match performance in game II but stood up to seal the game with a phenomenal solo try, also made a try-saving tackle on a flying Walsh earlier in the game to keep the pressure on Queensland.

8 Jake Trbojevic - 5

Was this the most anonymous series a triumphant Origin captain has ever had? The Manly forward once again saw little minutes in a winning side but was typically solid in defence for the 22 minutes he spent on the field.

9 Reece Robson - 6

Gave away a cheap penalty for a high tackle on Harry Grant that gave Queensland their second goal and a 4-2 lead late in the game, but was bailed out by his teammates. Made 24 tackles and missed three.

10 Payne Haas - 8

Was one of NSW’s strongest ball carriers in a physical game, setting the tone from the kick off with his strong running, totalling 106 metres and two offloads.

11 Liam Martin - 7.5

Billed in the lead-up as public enemy No.1 north of the border, the Penrith second-rower got under Queensland’s skin with his crunching tackles and fiery attitude but also made three errors and missed five tackles.

12 Angus Crichton - 8

Copped a Reece Walsh elbow to the face in the opening minutes but passed his HIA and recovered to run for 137 metres and gave his side invaluable second phase play opportunities with six offloads.

13 Cameron Murray - 7

Forced a drop out by dragging Selwyn Cobbo in-goal but was sin-binned after running into a melee from the bench. It was hard to shake the feeling he was scape-goated for his innocuous contribution to the fracas, made a solid if not outstanding impact, chipping in with 33 tackles - the most for his side.

14 Connor Watson - 6

Featured for just 16 minutes in his sophomore Origin appearance, making five runs and four tackles in his cameo

15 Isaah Yeo - 8

Played a big role off the bench, running for 165 metres - the most of any NSW forward - and showing important leadership when skipper Jake Trbojevic was off the field.

16 Mitchell Barnett - 8.5

The Origin debutant instantly looked in his element from his introduction in the third minute while Angus Crichton was undergoing an HIA, produced a monster hit on Selwyn Cobbo to fight back against a physical Queensland side on hostile turf.

17 Spencer Leniu - 7

Was characteristically hard to stop off the bench, running for 89 metres and 12 tackles, but gave away a penalty in the last minute of the first half to allow Queensland to take a lead into the break.