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A NEW-LOOK Queensland side was gallant in defeat in Origin I at the MCG.
But while most did the Maroon jersey proud, others will be under serious selection pressure for Game II. Here’s every Queenslander player’s performance rated.
MICHAEL MORGAN — 7
Very, very solid in defence and did all that was asked for him, but he’s no Billy Slater.
Morgan was manful in attack but provided no real spark. His game really came down to his defensive efforts, which were impressive. Strong out of dummy half too, running for over 150 metres.
VALENTINE HOLMES — 7.5
One of Queensland’s best backs and picked up where he left off in Game III last year. He had limited opportunities in attack but always looked ready to make a play and got through plenty of work in his own half. Holmes made the play of the first half with a clever intercept and searing run to score.
GREG INGLIS — 8.5
Inspirational. Seems to have grown another level as the Queensland captain. GI threatened every time he touched the ball and changed the game with a huge hit on Trbojevic in the first half.
WILL CHAMBERS — 5.5
A mixed bag. Hit the line hard in attack and threatened at times but also dropped the ball at a crucial time. Not a classic Chambers performance.
DANE GAGAI — 8
Queensland’s reigning player of the series did not disappoint. Slow to get into the game, Gagai came alive with bursting runs out of dummy half, strong kick chases and a lovely finish off a Ben Hunt grubber to open the scoring in the second half. Showed no ill-effects of his gruesome finger injury.
CAMERON MUNSTER — 5.5
Needs to involve himself more. Munster was the best player in the opening 10 minutes but faded from there. Looked threatening at times but very much played second fiddle to Ben Hunt.
BEN HUNT — 8
Best player in a Maroons jersey not named Greg Inglis. He made some tremendous defensive plays in the first half before settling into his role as the orchestrator of Queensland’s attack. Hunt’s kicking game was spot on, particularly in setting up the second-half try for Gagai.
JARROD WALLACE — 3
Very disappointing. Had just two hit-ups in the opening 20 minutes on soft runs into the line and was subbed after 20 minutes. Didn’t reappear until well into the second half. Will struggle to hold onto his starting spot for Game II.
ANDREW MCCULLOUGH — 7
Performed admirably stepping into the famous boots of Cameron Smith. Unspectacular but solid, exactly what you’d expect from McCullough. Needs to trust his running and kicking game more to vary Queensland’s attack in the middle. 7
DYLAN NAPA — 8
Close to the toughest player on the field. Napa hit hard and hit often -- in attack and defence. Tried to lift Queensland with some massive tackles and didn’t put a foot wrong. The Maroons’ best forward, Napa needs some help around him in Game II.
GAVIN COOPER — 6
Not the same without Johnathan Thurston guiding him through holes. Blunt in attack but worked hard all game in defence. Solid.
FELISE KAUFUSI — 6.5
Tried harder than just about anyone in the Queensland side and ran some wily attacking lines, but often made ineffective tackles and grasped at air when Cook set up the first try.
JOSH MCGUIRE — 7.5
Queensland’s workhorse made an impressive return from injury. He ran hard, he tackled hard, he looked to make plays when could. Couldn’t ask for much more.
ANTHONY MILFORD — 4
Very limited opportunities off the bench and barely featured. Milford needed more time to settle and play his natural game.
JOSH PAPALII — 7
Replaced Wallace in the front row for a good portion of the game and will likely start in Game II. He ran the ball up with anger and gave the Maroons’ what they needed with around 100 metres and 20 tackles.
COEN HESS — 6
Played better than expected off the bench and really aimed up on both sides of the ball. Definitely justified his place in the side and will be there again in Game II. 6
JAI ARROW — 5
A solid Origin debut. Simply put, he wanted it. Arrow went looking for work and found it. Nothing spectacular, but an Origin player.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...8/news-story/780accebbc1ca77ce3ba82b2e18a7b18
But while most did the Maroon jersey proud, others will be under serious selection pressure for Game II. Here’s every Queenslander player’s performance rated.
MICHAEL MORGAN — 7
Very, very solid in defence and did all that was asked for him, but he’s no Billy Slater.
Morgan was manful in attack but provided no real spark. His game really came down to his defensive efforts, which were impressive. Strong out of dummy half too, running for over 150 metres.
VALENTINE HOLMES — 7.5
One of Queensland’s best backs and picked up where he left off in Game III last year. He had limited opportunities in attack but always looked ready to make a play and got through plenty of work in his own half. Holmes made the play of the first half with a clever intercept and searing run to score.
GREG INGLIS — 8.5
Inspirational. Seems to have grown another level as the Queensland captain. GI threatened every time he touched the ball and changed the game with a huge hit on Trbojevic in the first half.
WILL CHAMBERS — 5.5
A mixed bag. Hit the line hard in attack and threatened at times but also dropped the ball at a crucial time. Not a classic Chambers performance.
DANE GAGAI — 8
Queensland’s reigning player of the series did not disappoint. Slow to get into the game, Gagai came alive with bursting runs out of dummy half, strong kick chases and a lovely finish off a Ben Hunt grubber to open the scoring in the second half. Showed no ill-effects of his gruesome finger injury.
CAMERON MUNSTER — 5.5
Needs to involve himself more. Munster was the best player in the opening 10 minutes but faded from there. Looked threatening at times but very much played second fiddle to Ben Hunt.
BEN HUNT — 8
Best player in a Maroons jersey not named Greg Inglis. He made some tremendous defensive plays in the first half before settling into his role as the orchestrator of Queensland’s attack. Hunt’s kicking game was spot on, particularly in setting up the second-half try for Gagai.
JARROD WALLACE — 3
Very disappointing. Had just two hit-ups in the opening 20 minutes on soft runs into the line and was subbed after 20 minutes. Didn’t reappear until well into the second half. Will struggle to hold onto his starting spot for Game II.
ANDREW MCCULLOUGH — 7
Performed admirably stepping into the famous boots of Cameron Smith. Unspectacular but solid, exactly what you’d expect from McCullough. Needs to trust his running and kicking game more to vary Queensland’s attack in the middle. 7
DYLAN NAPA — 8
Close to the toughest player on the field. Napa hit hard and hit often -- in attack and defence. Tried to lift Queensland with some massive tackles and didn’t put a foot wrong. The Maroons’ best forward, Napa needs some help around him in Game II.
GAVIN COOPER — 6
Not the same without Johnathan Thurston guiding him through holes. Blunt in attack but worked hard all game in defence. Solid.
FELISE KAUFUSI — 6.5
Tried harder than just about anyone in the Queensland side and ran some wily attacking lines, but often made ineffective tackles and grasped at air when Cook set up the first try.
JOSH MCGUIRE — 7.5
Queensland’s workhorse made an impressive return from injury. He ran hard, he tackled hard, he looked to make plays when could. Couldn’t ask for much more.
ANTHONY MILFORD — 4
Very limited opportunities off the bench and barely featured. Milford needed more time to settle and play his natural game.
JOSH PAPALII — 7
Replaced Wallace in the front row for a good portion of the game and will likely start in Game II. He ran the ball up with anger and gave the Maroons’ what they needed with around 100 metres and 20 tackles.
COEN HESS — 6
Played better than expected off the bench and really aimed up on both sides of the ball. Definitely justified his place in the side and will be there again in Game II. 6
JAI ARROW — 5
A solid Origin debut. Simply put, he wanted it. Arrow went looking for work and found it. Nothing spectacular, but an Origin player.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...8/news-story/780accebbc1ca77ce3ba82b2e18a7b18
