Queensland Maroons player ratings: State of Origin game two

Author: Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sun 24 Jun 2018, 10:18 PM

Player ratings for the Queensland Maroons from game two of the 2018 State of Origin series.

1. Billy Slater: Made a huge difference for the Maroons. Had a hand in the opening try and was at his threatening best. Threw a forward pass in the second half but overall you couldn't fault him. 8/10

2. Valentine Holmes: Scored the opening try and made two line breaks. Chalked up 224 metres in a fine winger's effort. 7.5

3. Greg Inglis: Picked up where he left off in Origin I but better utilised in attack with the services of Slater. Finished the game with 199 metres from 19 carries in another fine captain's knock. 7.5

4. Will Chambers: Went over for a try in the second half to keep Queensland in it but was otherwise well contained by the Blues. Came up with a dangerous tackle late in the game then pulled off a terrible kick to kill off momentum. 6.5

Match Highlights: Blues v Maroons

5. Dane Gagai: Missed an early chance to score a try by centimetres but made no mistakes with Queensland's second. Helped get the Maroons out of trouble with every one of his 19 carries. 7

6. Cameron Munster: At his roaming best but a couple of poor kicking options let him down. 6.5

7. Ben Hunt: Not his night. Missed a tackle attempt on Josh Addo-Carr's try then backed it up with the penalty try effort on Boyd Cordner. Came up with an error in the second half and kicked the ball dead when Queensland had the Blues on the ropes and down 12 men. 5

8. Jarrod Wallace: Four runs for 43 metres in another short stint. Hard to see him retained for game three. 4

9. Andrew McCullough: A tradesman-like performance with 46 tackles missing just one, but was limited in attack and failing to create anything. 7

10. Dylan Napa: Stronger performance up front but was only used for 35 minutes, needs to own the game in defence more. 6

11. Gavin Cooper: Got through plenty of work on the left edge in a typical back-rowers performance but hardly threatened the Blues in attack. 6.5

12. Felise Kaufusi: Looked dangerous early but could only manage three carries in the second half as the Maroons kept throwing the ball past him. 7

13. Josh McGuire: Lasted 51 minutes before being replaced. Apart from a few aggressive hits, was not at his usual best. 6

Holmes gives Maroons early lead

Interchange:

14. Kalyn Ponga: Oddly used in the middle by Kevin Walters but the move proved costly early with Ponga conceding a penalty and six-again call that led to Blues tries. Almost got Queensland home though with an otherwise promising debut once he was given room to move. 7.5

15. Josh Papalii: Only three runs in 31 minutes. Needs to produce more as the senior forward in the side. 5

16. Coen Hess: Poked his nose through the line in limited opportunity. Probably needs to start in game three on the left edge. 5

17. Jai Arrow: Got through plenty of work in a short spell, needs more minutes to show his ability to offload. 6

Origin at Suncorp, there's nothing like it! Game III tickets still available here.