NSW PLAYER RATINGS FOR STATE OF ORIGIN GAME ONE AT SUNCORP STADIUM:
1. JARRYD HAYNE – It’s official – he is back to his 2009 Dally M Medal winning best. Man of the match terrorised Queensland all night. Scored try in the 33rd minute. 9.5.
2. BRETT MORRIS – In cahoots with brother Josh. In all sorts clutching his shoulder when scoring in 19th minute, only to miraculously return. Caught out in defence by two-try winger Darius Boyd but pulled off remarkable try saver on the winger in 74th. 8.
3. MICHAEL JENNINGS – Kept Queensland honest in attack with limited looks. 6.
4 JOSH MORRIS – Constant threat, linking well with brother and that man Hayne but forced to leave field late in second half. 7.
5. DANIEL TUPOU – Flew high as expected after being dubbed the next Israel Folau but initially lacked the other aspect of being an aerial threat – catching the ball. Took some bad options in attack. Officially made four errors. 5.5.
6. JOSH REYNOLDS – Niggling, nagging playmaker asked questions in attack but may have gone too far in defence. Placed on report in 28th minute for a lifting tackle on Brent Tate. 7.5
7. TRENT HODKINSON – First three kicks hit a Queenslander on the chest and missed first conversion attempt but settled alongside Reynolds. Even spilt blood after copping stray boot on nose. 6.5.
8. AARON WOODS – Relishing a starting debut, the Wests Tigers big bopper racked up 85m from nine runs and 28 tackles. 6.
9. ROBBIE FARAH – Probing from dummy half as always, was a constant spark for NSW and notch a team-high 36 tackles. 7.
10. JAMES TAMOU – Big fella toiled hard lining up against Queensland pack led by Cowboys teammate Matt Scott. Notched 75m from 10 runs and 32 tackles. 6.5.
11. BEAU SCOTT – Missed two telling tackles early, involved in ugly lifting tackle on Tate that ended with Reynolds on report. Crushed Billy Slater in tackle late in match that left Queensland No.1 injured. 5.5
12. RYAN HOFFMAN – Rock solid as usual. 7.
13. PAUL GALLEN (c) – Usual hard-nosed display. 30 tackles. 154m gained. Only time he looked human was when pole axed from behind by old sparring partner Josh Papalii in 47th minute. 8.5
Interchange:
14. ANTHONY WATMOUGH – Backrower again threatened from bench with limited options. 6
15. TRENT MERRIN – Big fella notched 39m and 17 tackles in bench cameo. 6
16. LUKE LEWIS – Utility was a handful with 38m, 11 tackles and two tackle breaks in late cameo. 6.
17. TONY WILLIAMS – The T-Rex did not flex his considerable muscles but still managed seven tackles, a tackle break and 31m from four runs. 5.5.
