BLUES PLAYER RATINGS FOR STATE OF ORIGIN I:

1. JAMES TEDESCO – The man-of-the-match scored the opening try and then played a hand in the other three. Tallied a game-high 221 metres and 12 tackle busts. Superb performance. 10

2. TOM TRBOJEVIC – Took plenty of tough carries in the first half and was rewarded with a spectacular mid-air steal from Valentine Holmes for a second half try. 7.5

3. LATRELL MITCHELL – Busted eight tackles in a dangerous first half and scored a crucial second-half try by running over Dane Gagai. 7

4. JAMES ROBERTS – Looked for opportunities in the middle but couldn’t quite get free, and was eventually substituted with six minutes to go. Passed his defensive assignment on Inglis. 6

5. JOSH ADDO-CARR – Scored a try and could’ve scored another in an electric performance, busting 10 tackles and breaking the line twice. 7.5

6. JAMES MALONEY – His mixed night included throwing the intercept pass for Holmes’ try, as well as the forward pass that led to Gagai’s try, but saved one and set up two others. 7

7. NATHAN CLEARY – Kicked mostly off the back foot but improved as the game went on. Finished with four missed tackles but was mostly solid in defence. 6.5

8. REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD – Was overshadowed by Klemmer in the first half, but was otherwise strong in his opening 30-minute stint and finished just as solidly. 7

9. DAMIEN COOK – Set up the crucial first try with a line break out of dummy half, and showed a surprisingly astute kicking game out of dummy half. Tallied a game-high 52 tackles. 8.5

10. DAVID KLEMMER – Carried the ball for 104m in a barnstorming first stint and also gave the Blues a lift when re-inserted midway through the second half. 7.5

11. BOYD CORDNER (C) – Dug in for plenty of runs from deep in his own half, and then followed it up with numerous big carries in the second half. Arguably the Blues’ best forward. 8

12. TYSON FRIZELL – Moved between the middle and edges as part of the forwards rotation. Was well-contained in attack but rock solid in defence, including a trysaver on Jai Arrow. 7

13. JACK DE BELIN – Came up with his customary folding shots in defence. 6.5

INTERCHANGE:

14. PAUL VAUGHAN – Got caught as the Maroons turned momentum in the first half and struggled to translate his dynamic running to the Origin arena. 6

15. JAKE TRBOJEVIC – Showed his trademark work ethic in defence, scrambling for 35 tackles. 6.5

16. ANGUS CRICHTON – Brought on midway through the second half and ran with aplomb, offloading twice. 6.5

17. TYRONE PEACHEY – Came on for the final seven minutes as a replacement for James Roberts but didn’t see much ball. N/A