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NSW Blues player ratings vs Queensland | State of Origin II

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Brad Fittler’s Blues levelled the series at Optus Stadium in Perth with a resounding 44-12 win after a second half blitz put the Maroons away, bringing back memories of the 2019 clash between the two sides at the same stadium.

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The Blues had to play catch up when Queensland scored the first try of the game but they hit back quickly through debutant Matt Burton latching onto a smart grubber kick from Nathan Clearly.

Just two points separated the side at halftime with the Blues leading 14-12 before a landslide of tries, including two to halfback Nathan Cleary, put the Blues result beyond doubt.

Here’s how the NSW Blues rated in Perth in Origin II:

1 James Tedesco – 8

A strong all-round game saw him run for 191m and bust 10 tackles, his work in the backfield helping his side take over late in the piece.

2 Brian To’o – 9

Crucial in the territory game, chewing through a whopping 228 metres and busting seven tackles, while an early try-saving hit helped set the tone for the Blues.

3 Matt Burton – 8.5

Brilliant Origin debut including a try and a smart assist for To’o’s try with an spectacular catch pass, while he unleashed bombs via the foot that troubled the Queensland backs and added another key element to the Blues’ game.

4 Stephen Crichton – 5

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Struggled to get involved and was rarely threatening deep in attack, potentially making him vulnerable to be dropped ahead of the series decider.

5 Daniel Tupou – 9

Herculean effort running the ball in the back field for 187m with eight tackle busts, his intense effort well and truly earning his second-half try.

6 Jarome Luai – 7

Shook off a poor first half that included a loose carry, a missed tackle that led to a Queensland try and giving away a cheap penalty that led to another with a superb solo try in the second.

7 Nathan Cleary – 10

His masterpiece included a genius kick to assist the Blues’ first try and his exceptional vision made another with a lofted pass for Tupou to score in the corner. His complete kicking game was on show throughout, while he capped things off with two brilliant running tries.

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8 Payne Haas – 6

Led a hot forward-pack effort early with 105m, running with vigour as usual as he set the tone for the night.

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9 Api Korisau – 5

Dummy-half work helped free up his teammates to shine, but didn’t do much outside of that.

10 Jake Trbojevic – 7

Was busy early on his return to the side, most importantly in defence with 27 tackles, where his elite energy led a much-improved effort from the Blues.

11 Cameron Murray – 7

Suffered a huge shot across the chin and ear and left for an HIA, but returned for 78m running and delivered some big shots defensively in a 25-tackle showing.

12 Liam Martin – 6

Had some effort plays including a huge kick chase as pressure mounted, although he did miss three tackles.

13 Isaah Yeo – 8.5

Stellar on both sides of the ball, defensively perfect making 29 tackles without missing one while he also ran for 92.

14 Damian Cook – 5

Injected in the shadows of halftime and his energy helped the Blues lift when they needed to, although he lacked any real individual moments.

15 Angus Crichton – 6.5

Took a stray boot to the chin on 15 minutes but returned to bring heat in the middle and scored the easiest of tries late in the piece.

16 Junior Paulo – 7.5

Brought immediate energy off the bench with some bruising runs, producing a particularly angry 129m that provided the energy NSW needed.

17 Siosifa Talakai – 5

Came on with 17 minutes to play and made a couple of runs without any highlights.

-Alex Mitchell/AAP

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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