POST GAME Game 2 - QLD vs NSW

[Huge]

I think David Klemmer put his hand up to play halfback in game 3. The pillow with eyes passed it every time he got the ball in the 2nd half. I think Thaiday scared him.

Can't agree with that ! I think Klemmer has an origin future, he's still only a lad and although he wasn't a force I suspect he will become one in time. I respect your right to your opinion though.

 

[Fernando]

I think the criticism of O'neill is a bit harsh.

Yeah he didn't chase down Maloney, but Maloney is like reallllly quick and most wouldn't have caught him. And given that the O'neill/Gagai combination was our biggest weakness and our biggest worry going into this series, I thought both did really well - Gagai in particular obviously. But it was O'neill that sprinted up to slam Jennings and force the loose pass that led to Gagai's intercept try.

 

[Super Freak]

1. Darius Boyd
Didn't see much of the ball in the first half but set up two of Queensland tries including the series-winner in the final 10 minutes. 8/10.
2. Corey Oates
The attacking opportunities afforded to him for much of the game were quickly defused by New South Wales but scored the crucial try to seal the Maroons' win. 7/10.
3. Greg Inglis
Was expected to make life difficult for Dylan Walker, and clearly thought the same because he barely saw his winger Oates as an option the entire game. Did make more carries than any other Maroon though. 6.5/10.
4. Justin O'Neill
Gave away a soft penalty midway through the first half, was hardly involved in attack but was solid in defence. 5.5/10.
5. Dane Gagai
Scored Queensland's first with an 80-metre intercept and ended up with a hat-trick midway through the second half. Was faultless other than assisting in James Maloney's long-range try. 8.5/10.
6. Johnathan Thurston
As usual, Thurston chimed in and stood up in the crucial moments. Did everything right: set up Gagai's third try, forced dropouts and was just about the Maroons' best. 9/10.
7. Cooper Cronk
Commanded Queensland's kicking game with a clear target of pressuring Matt Moylan under the high ball but let Thurston run the show otherwise. 7/10.
8. Matt Scott
Solid without being outstanding. Produced a typical performance but was overshadowed by several of his teammates. 6.5/10.
9. Cameron Smith (c)
Kicked off proceedings with a sneaky line break and tackled his heart out for the remainder of the game. 8/10.
10. Josh McGuire
Started off with all guns blazing and produced 85 metres in his first stint but wasn't given much of an opportunity in the second half. 7.5/10.
11. Matt Gillett
Queensland's quiet achiever did his job with little fuss in first half. Came into his own in the second half. 8/10.
12. Sam Thaiday
Was a solid contributor for the Maroons but his spear tackle on New South Wales skipper Paul Gallen would overshadow his performance. 6.5/10.
13. Corey Parker
The retiring Queensland lock could play until he is 50. Had produced almost 50 metres in the first eight minutes and kept the ball rolling for the Maroons all night long. 8.5/10.
Interchange:
14. Michael Morgan
Morgan commanded plenty of attention in first half, with his impact felt in the Blues' end of the field on several occasions. 6.5/10.
15. Jacob Lillyman
Ensured the Maroons didn't miss the injured Nate Myles and surely booked his ticket for Origin III with a solid contribution off the bench. 7/10.
16. Aidan Guerra
Didn't feature in the first half, did his best late on but did nothing that endangered New South Wales. 4.5/10.
17. Josh Papalii
Amazing impact. Entered the game midway through the first half and racked 137 metres in just half hour of game time. 8/10.

Origin II: Queensland player ratings - NRL.com


1. Matt Moylan

Had a faultless night under the high ball but failed to have his usual impact in attack until the game was already over. Looked good in the final 10 minutes with plenty of support play from offloads. 6/10
2. Blake Ferguson
Dropped a bomb in the final 10 minutes which led to a try to his opposite number Corey Oates. Limited to only six carries and wasn't sighted in attack. 3/10
3. Michael Jennings
It just wasn't his night. His poor pass led to the first try of the night and then he sprinted out of the line and tackled no one for Gagai's second try. Knocked on with 10 minutes to go when Frizell would have scored to give the Blues the lead. 3/10
14. Dylan Walker
The Queenslanders said they'd target him and they didn't mince their words with the Maroons sending plenty of traffic his way. He made 18 tackles and handled Greg Inglis better than most have in the past. Walker conceded three penalties in the first 20 minutes but tried to involve himself as best as he could. 6.5/10
5. Josh Mansour
Didn't have any real opportunities in attack but provided plenty of impetus coming out of trouble. Made plenty of tackle breaks and provided a number of quick play the balls but was outshone by Dane Gagai's hat-trick. 6/10
6. James Maloney
Scored the try that got the Blues back into the game in the second half and had another one disallowed at the death. Gave away a penalty that led to points and also came up with a couple of poor errors in the first half. 6/10
7. Adam Reynolds
Recovered from an uncharacteristic miss with the boot in Game One to slot a pair of early penalty goals. Took the line on and got a great offload away for the Blues' first try, but came up with a couple of poor kicks in good attacking positions. Left the field with an arm injury late in the game and did not return. 6/10
8. Aaron Woods
Woods produced the sort of numbers we're used to seeing from him, running for more metres than any other NSW forward and chipping in with plenty of important tackles. Had a couple of offloads late in the game and probably outpointed his rival starting props. 7/10
9. Robbie Farah
Looked the most likely out of the NSW spine for large portions of the game. Caused plenty of havoc out of dummy-half in the opening exchanges and made plenty of tackles in defence. 7.5/10
10. James Tamou
Only played 34 minutes and was limited to just 34 metres. Rushed out of the line early in the game to enable a Cameron Smith line break and failed to bend the line back with ball in hand. 4/10
15. Tyson Frizell
Couldn't have had a better start to his Origin career and was rewarded with a try from a well-worked set play. Great first run in Origin to bump away from Cameron Smith and win a penalty that led to points. Made an incredible chase to almost deny Dane Gagai the first try of the night. He oozes Origin. 8.5/10
12. Josh Jackson
Led the Blues with 47 tackles and was rock-solid on the right edge for the entire 80 minutes. Provided plenty of support for Walker and Reynolds in defence and can hold his head high after another impressive showing for his state. 7.5/10
13. Paul Gallen
It wasn't the way he wanted to farewell Suncorp Stadium, but he can hold his head high after another impressive showing. He's had better games for the Blues, but was more than solid on Wednesday night. 7/10
Interchange
11. Greg Bird
The Origin veteran tried his guts out with 103 metres and 20 stinging tackles off the bench. Made an error with the Blues in a great attacking position late in the first half. 6.5/10
16. David Klemmer
Was solid in his 29-minute stint off the bench, but the Blues needed him to be more than that. Has shown what he is capable of at Origin level but was well handled by the Maroons. 5/10
17. Andrew Fifita
Came from nowhere with a gut-busting effort to force Corey Oates into touch in the shadows of half-time but his impact was blunted by the Maroons forcing him to make plenty of tackles. 5.5/10
18. Jack Bird
Tried his best on his Origin debut and almost got the Blues back in the game with a surging break at the death. Popped up everywhere on the field and did his job as the side's utility player when Adam Reynolds was forced from the field. 6/10

Origin II: NSW player ratings - NRL.com

 

[Fernando]

Oh, and Big Papa was an absolute beast tonight. He is a monster at Suncorp

 

[Dexter]

I think the criticism of O'neill is a bit harsh.

Yeah he didn't chase down Maloney, but Maloney is like reallllly quick and most wouldn't have caught him. And given that the O'neill/Gagai combination was our biggest weakness and our biggest worry going into this series, I thought both did really well - Gagai in particular obviously. But it was O'neill that sprinted up to slam Jennings and force the loose pass that led to Gagai's intercept try.

I couldn't agree more, I was critical of his selection from the start but he has done everything expected at this level. He didn't get the attacking chances tonight but was rock solid in D which is where i thought he would struggle.

You rightly point out the first try but he also shut down that left side with some terrific reads. He would be considered unlucky if Chambers replaces him in game 3.
He has probably ended Jennings rep career IMO, if Jennings couldn't get over O'Neill then forget it. That's not meant to be a knock on O'Neill either but he was our second pick.

 

[Broncoman]

Can't agree with that ! I think Klemmer has an origin future, he's still only a lad and although he wasn't a force I suspect he will become one in time. I respect your right to your opinion though.

If I could bring one player from the Bulldogs to the Broncos for a life time contract it would be Klemmer. He is such a beast, brings so much to any team and will play for Australia again. Made almost 10 meters with each run tonight and made 14 tackles in limited game time tonight. Certainly has what it takes to play Origins and Tests and make an impact in them.

 

[Dexter]

I just don't see it. To me he is just a big grubby grunt who has the odd good game. I don't remember a time when he has led his team to a win or been the stand out.
He is all that is average about NSW teams over the last 10 years.

 

[KnToad]

Can't polish a turd

No, but you can roll it in glitter :)

 

[Super Freak]

Gagai's third try, I'm a little surprised they awarded that.

I think he knocked it on.

 

[Sproj]

Yeah Klemmer is one of those players that just does enough to keep in the team and lives off acting like a punce two years ago. He was good in his debut series for Australia but since then has not made any noticeable improvements in either impact or consistency. If anything, he has actually gone somewhat backwards, especially now in origin and club games he gets targeted and gets shut up quite easily when not raising his knees.

He is one player I would never want at the Broncos from the Dogs along with Reynolds. Kasiano, Eastwood, Lloyd Perrett are the only ones that's a maybe. every other Dogs player, Nope.

 

[Huge]

Yet Eastwood played for us and was fabulous ! Okay, it's a maybe but he was good for us. I like Kasiano too, got some mongrel and is a tough character but hey, fair play to you.

 

[Morkel]

Gagai's third try, I'm a little surprised they awarded that.

I think he knocked it on.

IT WAS A TRY HE DESERVED MAN OF THE MATCH.

Still bitter.

11 runs, 152 metres, 3 tackle breaks, 2 line breaks, 3 tries, better award it to...

DE FAULT.

 

[uptheguts]

Our defence was great again. Really hard low tackling , especially from Sam and Corey Parker.We are seeing JT at the peak of his powers.. He and our kick ass defence are really what sets the teams.apart.The refs should issued with baby dummies to stick in Greg Birds mouth when gets really upset. Poor baby! Take a spare for Gallen as well. I must admit I had few doubts about Kevie as coach, but not any more. Very we'll prepared team.

 

[Nashy]

10, all of my early memories of Origin involve Johns and co running all over the top of Queensland so I saw the last run of NSW glory and can actually remember it well enough. Timmins field goal, Johns' dominance of 2003 and 2005, Webcke getting smashed by Bailey, Freddy's farwell etc. I also remember people saying that NSW were just far to strong and that Queensland would never win again and they should just can the whole thing.

The tide always turns

The tide always turned? How would you know, you've never seen a king tide like this one in the history of origin.

 

[mitch222]

Smith did have a good game though. Controlled the ruck beautifully to allow us more time and space to play

 

[mrslong]

How many times did Aaron woods knee our guys in the head? He was certainly Nate Mylesésque! I quite liked it to be honest. I also liked that every time that pipsqueak Walker tried it he got pinged.....like Freddy said, you need to earn the right to niggle in Origin.

Great to see Dane Gagai put two excellent games back to back. Just shows that with a good team he is a top shelf player. Could be like JYY if he was in the Broncos set up, at the Knights he has an error in his game but that comes down the fact that he is the only one that can get them any points.

Was really impressed with McGuire too, I thought he'd get pushed backwards by the big NSW boys, but after the first initial hit up he was all go forward! The future in the forwards is bright.

 

[Aldo]

No one has made a big song and dance about Woods' "shithouse" statement on prime time tv. Butt-hurt NSW media...........

 

[Clintos]

Morgan has apparently done his PCL. Assuming he's out for game 3, who comes into the bench?

Barba? Friend? A 4th forward? Would have been the perfect opportunity to debut Milf...