State Of Origin three felt like an exhibition game. You could very much tell the series was over just by the way the game was played. It was very strange.
So now it is time to hand down the player ratings for State Of Origin three. Remember that my ratings system is on an all time scale, with a 10 being considered Wally Lewis at his best, and a 1 being considered Mitchell Pearce at his best.
So…shall we?
QLD State Of Origin Team – Game Three
1. Billy Slater – 7
He’s lost a step at this level but still played really well.
2. Darius Boyd – 6
Had a bit of a quiet game considering how much attacking football there was. Still scored…and won me some cash!
3. Greg Inglis – 7
Got a lot more ball, caused a lot more problems…when he is running in space you worry that you’re going to watch him beat everyone to score.
4. Justin Hodges – 7
Picked his spots and made an impact. Didn’t have as much of an impact in this game but still played well.
5. Will Chambers – 7
Went into everything at 100% and probably secured himself a Maroons jersey next season.
6. Jonathan Thurston – 7
Probably his best game of the series. He isn’t having the impact at State Of Origin level that he used to though.
7. Cooper Cronk – 6
Understandably took a while to get into the game and while he wasn’t near his best, he made an impact on the teams performance.
8. Jacob Lillyman – 6
Another really solid performance by Lillyman who was almost the forgotten man of Origin going into this series.
9. Cameron Smith – 7
Picked up a bit of an injury in the second half but he didn’t let it stop him. Became the first player to win 20 Origins last night. As good as Robbie Farah according to Robbie Farah.
10. Nate Myles – 7
Another tough game by Myles. What a great player!
11. Aiden Guerra – 8
Would have just about been my man of the match. Improved over every game, caused NSW nightmares all night and helped put the game to bed late.
12. Sam Thaiday – 8
Played a typical Sam Thaiday type of game. Was a handful all night and ran the ball hard. Great to see him in that type of form.
13. Corey Parker – 8
Made about a million offloads that kept New South Wales on the back foot.
Interchange
14. Daly Cherry-Evans – 7
Played really well when he came on. The Blues had to watch him carefully as he threatened all night.
15. Ben Te’o – 4
Was put on report for a late hit and that was about his biggest contribution to the game.
16. Matt Gillett – 5
Bit of a quiet game for him.
17. David Taylor – 2
Came on and just kept making mistakes. I have no idea why QLD selected him in game three. He is interested in playing Rugby Union. He should go and do it.
NSW State Of Origin Team – Game Three
1. Jarryd Hayne – 6
The game didn’t really come his way. After a great game one, you’d get the feeling Hayne would be disappointed in the impact he had on the rest of the series.
2. James McManus – 4
Was involved early on but then you didn’t see much of him after that. Mansour would have been a better choice.
3. Josh Dugan – 7
Played really well. Scored a try, caused issues with the ball in his hand.
4. Josh Morris – 5
An early leg injury looked like it would knock him out of the game early. He battled on though.
5. Daniel Tupou – 5
Didn’t see much of the ball but when he did his work was quality.
6. Josh Reynolds – 5
Was pretty quiet in this game. In fact over the series his form tailed off.
7. Trent Hodkinson – 6
He was more involved over the course of game three than he was game two.
8. Paul Gallen – 7
Once again got through a lot of work. I thought he was probably the best player over the course of the season.
9. Robbie Farah – 5
Said he was the equal of Cameron Smith leading into the match.
10. Aaron Woods – 4
Didn’t have much impact at all. The go forward just wasn’t there.
11. Beau Scott – 8
Had his best game of the series. Was on a mission to belt every Queenslander he could. A few late hits too which I’m sure QLD will remember for a while.
12. Ryan Hoffman – 4
Pretty average. I just don’t think he is an Origin player any more.
13. Greg Bird – 6
Kept at Queensland throughout the entire match. When ever he is on the field, something if going to happen. Great actor.
Interchange
14. James Tamou – 4
A few decent runs when he entered the game but he is a shadow of the player he was when he first entered the Origin arena.
15. Boyd Cordner – 5
Looks good at times. The run will do him good down the road.
16. Trent Merrin – 4
Wasn’t given much game time. I think NSW hasn’t used him enough throughout this series.
17. Luke Lewis – 4
Had very minimal impact on the game.
