Another State of Origin classic is in the books and New South Wales have created history to win a decider in Queensland for just the third time ever.
The first half showcased some of the most brutal rugby league football ever seen in Australia and set a new standard for Origin footy.
But when the carnage settled, it was New South Wales that had the wind in their lungs and speed in their legs to rip the result away from the Maroons.
Here’s who excelled and who disappointed. including the player who earned a perfect 10:
Queensland
Reece Walsh tried desperately to get involved, a little too desperately at times as he ended up with a limp and being placed on report
Reece Walsh – 6
After being KO’ed in the first Origin and largely shut down in Origin II, the Broncos ace was desperate to be involved in the decider. He did everything he could to inject himself into the attack early, before starting to limp around the half hour mark. On report for foul play on Crichton in the act of trying to score a try. Was knocked from pillar to post but getting getting up like Rocky off the canvass. Could not find the knockout blow like Stallone did, though
Selwyn Cobbo – 3
Had to get through a week of accusations he had fallen out with coach Billy Slater. Was on the receiving end of a couple of savage hits in the ferocious early exchanges before being driven back over his own goal line. Tackled Dylan Edwards in the air to all but end their chances of a comeback in the final minutes.
Dane Gagai – 7
The veteran relished his recall and got stuck into the tough stuff from the opening exchanges. Worked hard all night and refused to take a backward step even as Angus Crichton tried to run over the top of him.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 5
Returned from a minor AC joint injury sustained in Origin II and showed flashes of his lethal ability to crack the line, but was fairly well contained by the edge of Lomax and Crichton.
Valentine Holmes – 4
Gave away the first penalty of the match for rushing out of the line. Rarely threatened in attack as his run of indifferent form continues. His defence improved, though, and he kicked the first two penalty goals to put his state ahead.
Tom Dearden – 6
Came up with some huge first half tackles on NSW forwards including a try-saver on Liam Martin. Cut through the NSW line and threatened to score the Maroon’s first. Tough and tenacious but ultimately shut down when it mattered.
Daly Cherry-Evans, Jarome Luai and Jeremiah Nanai were all in the thick of it when tempers flared at Suncorp Stadium
Daly Cherry-Evans – 5
The Queensland statesman was guilty of a couple of careless moments, striking out at the niggle of NSW five-eighth Luai to spark the first half melee, then caught out late in the half with a hard tackle to the back that send the ball flying. Is this his final Origin match? It would be a bitter way to bow out.
Reuben Cotter – 7
Was huge in the defensive line, making 24 tackles in just 30 minutes to repel the Blues. He ended up with 53 tackles which was enormous for the North Queensland, but he lacked impact in attack.
Harry Grant – 8
Queensland played ducks and drakes with their fans all week regarding Grant’s sternum injury but ultimately threw him into the starting team. Was heavily involved in his first stint when the game was at its violent best. Had his injured sternum severely challenged by a huge Spencer Leniu run and passed with flying colours. Used his nous to draw the penalty for the Maroons’ second score of the night.
Moeaki Fotuaika – 6
Was given a shock crack at the starting side and rattled up 11 tackles as part of the Queensland wall the repelled NSW time and time again. His second stint was even better, but the gaps opened up around him and there was little he could do.
Felise Kaufusi – 3
Was also promoted to the starting side in a last minute call by Billy Slater but was largely ineffective in his 16 minute stint, making way for Jeremiah Nanai.
Kurt Capewell – 6
Could be in trouble for an ugly lifting tackle on Stephen Crichton then gave away a penalty for taking out Mitch Moses off the ball. His second stint was much better and he matched the NSW in physicality for the most part.
Patrick Carrigan – 9
An incredible 35 tackles in the first half alone on his way to a game-high 61 tackles as Carrigan answered the call to become the leader of the Queensland pack. Also rattled up 150 metres in 80 minutes of gut-busting footy.
INTERCHANGE
Ben Hunt – 5
Came out after the first 24 minutes and was busted open collecting a Spencer Leniu knee to the head while defending the Queensland line. Send for a HIA but was a allowed to return. Didn’t last much longer as Grant was on fire and Slater needed to get Ponga onto the field.
Lindsay Collins – 6
A whopping 30 tackles off the bench that was crucial in keeping the Blues scoreless for so long, but that took its toll late in the match.
Jeremiah Nanai – 5
Sinbinned for being third man in to the melee in the first half. Had a running battle with Angus Crichton on the edge. Mixed bag and like most of his teammates, ran out of legs late.
Kalyn Ponga – 4
Was the most active Queensland player in the first half – and that was just pacing up and down the sideline anxious to get onto the field. The caged lion was finally unleashed at lock forward in the 51st minute. But he failed to truly threaten in a big anti-climax for Maroons supporters.
New South Wales
Penrith Panthers star Dylan Edwards tries to work his way through the desperate Queensland defence in the first half
Dylan Edwards – 10
You could leave your pay cheque, carton of eggs for breakfast and your newborn child with Edwards and know you would come back to find them all in safe hands. Perfect under the high ball, ever-dangerous with ball in hand and produced runs that had Andrew Johns declaring him to be the real deal at Origin level in commentary.
Brian To’o – 7
More known for his attacking flair, the Penrith champion winger put on some huge defensive shots in an all-round performance.
Bradman Best – 7
Very willing, but also spilled the ball twice after breaking the line twice in the first half in his only real opportunities. Three times was the charm, as he latched onto the Luai pass late into the game and fended his way to the line to score a try that was as tough as it was spectacular.
Stephen Crichton – 7.5
Thought he had broken the deadlock between the sides only to knock the ball on with the line just centimetres away. Pulled off one of the moments of the night to launch himself upfield after the twin NSW tries, putting Queensland firmly under the pump again.
Zac Lomax takes on Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in the fierce Origin decider
Zac Lomax – 7.5
Found life tough trying to get past the Queensland blockers to latch onto Mitch Moses bombs, but was elite in defence to bundle both Walsh and Holmes into touch in the second half. Kicked a beauty from the sideline to level the scores. Kicked another crucial goal from the sideline after Best’s try to complete an excellent series.
Jarome Luai – 8
Was his usual tenacious self and it was little shock he was at the centre of the melee in the first half. But he struggled to link with his new halves partner Mitch Moses for much of the game. There might not be an ‘I’ in team, but there are five in ‘individual brilliance’ as Luai showed with a game-breaking bust in the 65th minute to put Bradman Best away for the first try of the match.
Mitchell Moses – 9.5
The man of the match in game two was calm and composed under heavy fire for most of the match. His high and long kicking games were reliable and gave his side the lion’s share of possession in the face of ferocious Queensland defence. Watched Luai put Best over, then sliced over himself to put NSW in a commanding position. Parramatta will get no joy though, he was forced off with a suspected biceps injury in the dying minutes of the match.
Jake Trbojevic – 3
The odd captain. Played just 23 minutes and only made 19 metres, albeit in vicious conditions.
Reece Robson – 7
Another powerhouse effort in defence and his delivery out of dummy half was crisp. However Harry Grant out-smarted him in the second half to draw a penalty and Queensland’s second score of the night.
Payne Hass was called on to make a statement and came up huge in one of his best Origin matches to date
Payne Haas – 8
Made a statement carry to open the proceedings at his NRL home ground and put his hand up for plenty more work as leader of the NSW pack. Was perhaps under-used later in the match, but was an important part of the win standing up to Queensland in the furious early exchanges.
Liam Martin – 6
A couple of crucial errors early on and five missed tackles meant this was not Martin’s finest Origin, but he recovered well to become a defensive wall.
Angus Crichton – 8
Banged his head on Reece Walsh’s arm early and needed attention from the trainer, subbed off for debutant Mitch Barnett. Passed his HIA and returned to pester and get in the face of the Queenslanders all night.
Cameron Murray – 4
Was bizarrely sinbinned while on the bench for getting involved in the first half melee. Was perhaps lucky to not be sent off, with Cherry-Evans blowing up deluxe at referee Ashley Klein. It was not good enough from a senior player at that junction of such a crucial match, even if it was built on passion.
INTERCHANGE
Connor Watson – 5
Came on late in the match and did his job, with limited opportunities to do much more than that.
Isaah Yeo – 7
Nothing fancy from the Panthers star who toiled for 60 minutes in a strong defensive display that might not make highlight reels, but went a long toward winning the match.
Mitchell Barnett – 5
Probably wasn’t expecting to come onto the field in the first minute but relished the challenge with some bone-crunching hit-ups. Had to eat a sin bin for no reason, nominated to take Murray’s punishment.
Spencer Leniu – 5
Was first half charges that were downright terrifying, but also lacked discipline when he whacked DCE in the shadows of halftime to hand Queensland the first points of the match.
Haumole Olakau’atu – 0
We’ve never given a grade to a player that didn’t even take to the field and we likely never will again. But the Manly enforcer bizarrely getting ‘sent off’ as 18th man for getting involved in the first half melee really takes the cake. Was sent to the sheds and told to stay in the naughty corner until the fulltime siren.