June 17, 2026 — 9:14pmWe rate the performances of every player who took the field in Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash in Melbourne.New South Wales1. James TedescoSafe at the back and busy coming out of his own end as always. 7/10NSW fullback James Tedesco.Getty Images2. Brian To’oAfter an error-prone start to Origin I, the Panthers winger was much more solid in the first half tonight. Full-length stretch in his in-goal defused a dangerous Sam Walker grubber. 73. Tolutau KoulaBack in his familiar centre role after impressing on the wing in game one. Ran the ball strongly down the left and made a couple of key tackles under pressure. 74. Kotoni StaggsWas on the spot to score the first try of the game and defended his right edge well. Made a couple of errors inside his own half and held up a pass too long when an early ball could have set up a second Mark Nawaqanitawase try. 55. Mark NawaqanitawaseThe Roosters excitement machine did not take long to make an impact in his first Origin, grabbing a loose ball after a Tom Flegler error then offloading to Staggs for the game’s first try. Then scored one himself and almost had another with an acrobatic leap for the corner. 86. Mitchell MosesTook over the bulk of the general play kicking duties in his return to the team, almost setting up Nawaqanitawase with a dangerous bomb midway through the half. 77. Nathan ClearyCreated the game’s second try, grubbering into the defensive line, regathering the ball and whipping a terrific long pass to Nawaqanitawase. Converted that try from the sideline, then created a half break with an early shift to Staggs down the right. 7.58. Payne HaasBack with a bang after missing Origin I due to injury, Haas produced several big runs in the first half as the Blues started much better through the middle than they did in game one. 79. Reece RobsonNot a run threat out of dummy half yet but his service was good. 610. Mitchell BarnettMade a great early tackle on Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and was the Blues’ busiest defender early on. 711. Hudson YoungAlways looked dangerous down the left edge with several tough carries and an offload. 712. Dylan LucasThe Origin debutant was solid in an unfamiliar right edge role, though he missed a tackle on Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the lead-up to Queensland’s first try. 513. Isaah YeoRock solid as always, leading the Blues pack for carries with some nice footwork up the middle and had no missed tackles in the first half. 714. Cameron MurrayThe Souths skipper again made an immediate impact off the bench with tough runs and rapid play-the-balls. Flawless in defence. 715. Victor RadleyCame on late in the half and was penalised twice for high tackles, and put on report for one of them. 516. Addin Fonua-BlakeYet to take the field.17. Apisai KoroisauYet to take the field.18. Ethan StrangeYet to take the field.19. Jack BostockYet to take the field.Queensland1. Kalyn PongaOutstanding under the high ball again but was fairly well contained by the Blues. 6/102. Selwyn CobboPicked up where he left in Origin 1 with several strong carries and made a try-saving tackle on Nawaqanitawase. 73. Robert ToiaWas also well contained by the Blues but went within a whisker of scoring his team’s second try. 64. Hamiso Tabuai-FidowOpportunities were few and far between until he made the clean break that led to the Maroons’ try. 6.55. Jojo FifitaSolid defensive effort but struggled to make an impact with the ball. 66. Cameron MunsterAsked plenty of questions of the defence with his strength and guile until forced off with a HIA. 77. Sam WalkerPlayed a leading hand in the Maroons’ only try, but his kicking game was a mixed bag. 6.58. Thomas FleglerSimple handling error from a kick-off gifted the Blues the opening try, but otherwise solid in his 15-minute stint. 5.59. Harry GrantThe highlight of a busy first half was linking with Munster to help set up the Maroons’ first try. 710. Tino Fa’asuamaleauiPlaying his first game since the death of his beloved father, Fereti, the giant-rower got through a mountain of work, especially with the ball. 711. Briton NikoraSolid enough first shift in his second Origin match. 5.512. Kurt CapewellTypically steady performance by the veteran Maroons workhorse. 613. Reuben CotterPlayed 35 minutes after having to return to the field after Munster’s HIA. Sound performance as always. 614. Max PlathCame on in the 22nd minute and made an immediate impact, throwing the final (very clever) pass for Loiero’s try. 615. Lindsay CollinsEntered the fray in the 20th minute and only had a short but solid stint. 516. Kulikefu FinefeuiakiYet to take the field.17. Trent LoieroReplaced Flegler in the 16th minute and produced a big shot on Haas soon after and also backed up well to score the Maroons’ try. 618. Reece WalshYet to take the field.19. Murray TaulagiYet to take the field.Default avatarPhil Mitchell is a desk editor at The Sydney Morning Herald.From our partners