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Queensland Maroons player ratings vs NSW | State of Origin II
By AAP
Billy Slater’s Queensland side headed to Perth looking to seal the series after their Game I victory in Sydney.
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Two big plays from Kalyn Ponga leading to Queensland tries looked to have laid the platform for the Maroons night but the Blues were able to strike back each time to take a 14-12 halftime lead.
In the second half it was all New South Wales as the Blues rolled to a massive 44-12 victory at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Here’s how the Queensland players rated in Game II of State of Origin:
1 Kalyn Ponga – 8
One of Queensland’s best, brilliant in attack as a delightful pass created the opening try and his speed made the Maroons’ second, but he lacked helpers as NSW rolled through a lacklustre defence.
2 Selwyn Cobbo – 2
It was the roughest of nights for the young winger, making four errors including bouncing a grubberkick where he easily could have scored a try in the first half.
3 Valentine Holmes – 4
On hand for Munster’s try with a nice assist but it was an otherwise muted night, missing five tackles while only completing seven.
4 Dane Gagai – 3
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Reasonably invisible display in attack, only producing 35m and lacking any flashy moments.
5 Murray Taulagi – 4.5
Quiet first half and dropped a high ball early in the second stanza, although he did churn out 94m with the ball.
6 Cameron Munster – 4
Was on the scene to capitalise on a Ponga line break with a try, but just couldn’t create his usual magic and came up with three errors.
7 Daly Cherry-Evans – 5
Had some moments and did what he could via foot with 427m kicking, but lacked the required punch to lead his side back into the contest.
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8 Lindsay Collins – 4.5
Got through a tonne of defensive work with 30 tackles while he only missed two, but only made seven runs after missing some time with a head injury assessment.
9 Ben Hunt – 4
Solid early in laying the foundation for Harry Grant’s entrance off the bench, although really did little more than that.
10 Josh Papalii – 4
Made three runs for 25m in a 17-minute stint to start the game and then sat on the bench for nearly the next hour before returning for the last few minutes.
11 Kurt Capewell – 3
Five runs for 27 minutes is all he had to show for the night, as one of a number of quiet Maroons.
12 Felise Kaufusi – 5
Opened the scoring with a bustling run that saw him beat two defenders, but did 10 minutes in the sin bin for a cynical hold close to his own line and NSW immediately scored in his absence.
13 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 3.5
Started well with the sort of bruising runs you’d expect from him, but disappeared as the Blues took over.
14 Harry Grant – 3
Entered on 23 minutes but couldn’t exert his influence like he did in Game One and missed six missed tackles.
15 Jai Arrow – 3.5
Went off soon after entering the fray for a head injury assessment and only had five runs for the game.
16 Patrick Carrigan – 7
Came off the bench to again give the Maroons a huge energy boost, not putting a foot wrong and making 33 tackles.
17 Jeremiah Nanai – 2.5
Didn’t enter until the second half and barely featured when he did, aside from missing four tackles.
-Alex Mitchell/AAP
