Panthers v Broncos preview
8 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
1. Josh Dugan 7.5
Dugan was one of the Blues' best on the field, constantly raising questions of the Queensland defence, and looking one of the most likely to create something when he had the ball in hand. Despite missing a field goal late in the game, it was never his role to be the one handed the ball in that situation, so he can hold his head high.
2. William Hopoate 4
While Hopoate was safe under the high ball, he never really looked likely to cause any issues for Queensland. Considering he was picked for his size and ability to get the Blues off to a strong start each set, he was pretty quiet.
3. Michael Jennings 6.5
Obviously picked as a danger man for the Blues, Jennings was heavily marked all day, and never really found any space in which to work. His defence at times was worrisome, but he provides some speed of the mark that the Blues sorely need.
4. Josh Morris 7.5
Check out Greg Inglis' rating for Queensland and you'll see exactly how well Morris performed in game 1. He was solid, dependable, and did his job - and on top of that managed to effectively shut down one of the Maroons' most devastating attacking weapons.
5. Daniel Tupou 5.5
Was one half of an edge pairing for the Blues that struggled all game. Tupou made several poor defensive reads, and made an almost costly error early in the first half, which almost led to a Queensland try. There are better, more reliable wing options for the Blues.
6. Mitchell Pearce 6
Plays origin with the weight of not just his team, but an entire state on his shoulders - a state filled with a number of people who think he doesn't deserve his spot. Despite that, Pearce put on several good passes, and his kicking game was strong. Then half-time happened, and "Origin Pearce" ran out. After that his kicking game went to rubbish, and he dropped an early ball. Laurie Daley needs to revise his half-time speech.
7. Trent Hodkinson 6
While he didn't take the game by the scruff of the neck (unlike his Queensland counterparts), Hodkinson's performance was solid enough to earn him a start in game II. He was responsible for one of the most glaring mistakes of the match however - failing to find touch when kicking from his own line after a penalty. Also should have been the man to nail a field goal late in the second half to take the pressure off his side.
8. Aaron Woods 9
Easily the best player on the park for the Blues, and probably better than anyone on Queensland's side too. Together with James Tamou, Woods brought the game to the Maroon forwards early in the game, making over 100 metres before halftime. Like the rest of his team, his second half performance wasn't as strong, but he tackled his bum off - making over 40 tackles.
9. Robbie Farah 8.5
Leading from the front, Farah's play out of dummy half kept his forwards on the front foot in the first half, and threatening the defensiveness line with several darts around the ruck. He was also the man Queensland shouldn't have run at - as he knocked down Maroon runners again and again, finishing with 60 tackles and no missed tackles.
10. James Tamou 7.5
A classic example of the Blues clocking off at half time, Tamou was brutal and bruising in the first half, before taking his foot off the gas slightly in the second half. His offload in the first half was a thing of beauty, but his intense opening spell tired him for the rest of the game.
11. Beau Scott 7.5
You get exactly what you ask for with this bloke. Scott's job in Origin has always been pretty simple. Get up quick, belt the Maroons, and attempt to confiscate a couple of JT's ribs along the way. Scott delivered. JT was looking over his shoulder all game, and Scott provided plenty of niggle and picked up a crucial try for the Blues after a determined run.
12. Ryan Hoffman 7
Playing every minute of game I, Hoffman showed why he is one of the first picked in the Blues' side. He was strong in both attack and defence, although he would have liked to be given a little more space to work with out wide.
13. Josh Jackson 5
Jackson didn't play big minutes, but got enough of a taste of Origin to leave him wanting more. His positioning and lines were good, but he did give away an early penalty.
14. Trent Merrin 5
Laurie Daley made the decision to leave Merrin fresh until late in the game, but his injection into the game didn't come with the impact the coach would have hoped. He was strong in attack, but gave away a penalty in some terrible timing.
15. Boyd Cordner 4.5
Cordner seems to be a wasted bench spot at this level. While his angles and lines are effective at club level, he failed to make much of an impact coming on for the Blues.
16. David Klemmer 7
After the Blues' starting props came out so strongly in the first half, fans were wondering if the team's replacement front rowers could carry on with the intensity. They did. Despite playing in his first Origin, Klemmer brought (somewhat) controlled aggression to the Blues pack, and didn't take a backwards step with the ball in hand.
17. Andrew Fifita 7
Fifita played an important role for the Blues, coming on after the initial onslaught from Tamou and Woods, with the job of maintaining the go forward. He played his role well, and was solid in attack - often managing to stay on his feet during the tackle and get a quick play the ball. Made over 100 metres coming from the bench.