Updated June 17, 2026 — 10:19pm,first published 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, but couldn’t produce any real highlight plays this time. 6.5/102. Brian To’oAfter an error-prone start to Origin I, the tackle-busting winger was back to his usual self coming out of his own end. Did well to defuse one Sam Walker grubber in the first half but his failure to bring down two bombs led to tries in the second half. 53. 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. 6.54. Kotoni StaggsStarted the night well with the game’s first try, but it only got worse from there. Made a couple of errors costly in his own half and was sin-binned for a late, high hit on Kalyn Ponga as Queensland ran away with it. 35. Mark NawaqanitawaseThe Roosters excitement machine did not take long to make an impact in his first Origin, grabbing a loose ball and offloading to Staggs for the game’s first try. Then scored two more himself – one with almost no room to move – and almost had a third with an acrobatic leap for the corner. 86. Mitchell MosesTook over the bulk of the general play kicking duties in his return, taking some pressure off Cleary with some strong long kicks. 67. Nathan ClearyCreated the game’s second try, whipping a terrific long pass to Nawaqanitawase. Fooled at marker by Harry Grant to concede a second-half try. Kicked three goals, including two from the right sideline. 78. Payne HaasBack with a bang after missing Origin I due to injury, Haas produced several big runs 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 and made an error in the lead-up to Queensland’s second try. Outshone by Harry Grant. 510. Mitchell BarnettWas the Blues’ busiest defender early on in a 20-minute stint, then came back late to score a consolation try. 711. Hudson YoungThe busiest NSW forward in attack, and the only member of the pack to make more than 100 run metres. Always looked dangerous down the left edge with several tough carries and an offload. 712. Dylan LucasThe Origin debutant was rusty in an unfamiliar right edge role, missing a tackle on Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the lead-up to Queensland’s first try and part of a frail right edge where the Maroons threatened repeatedly. 413. Isaah YeoRock solid as always in a 70-minute performance with 10 carries and more than 30 tackles. 6.514. Cameron MurrayThe Souths skipper again made an immediate impact off the bench with tough runs and rapid play-the-balls. Flawless in defence, and laid on a late try for Barnett. Should start next game. 7.515. Victor RadleyCame on late in the first half and was penalised twice for high tackles, and put on report for one of them. Was otherwise busy in defence. 516. Addin Fonua-BlakeCame on with 25 minutes left, had some strong carries, but was subbed off again 10 minutes later. 517. Apisai KoroisauN/A.18. Ethan StrangeCame on with 15 minutes left to try to spark an unlikely comeback, but didn’t get much of a chance to have an impact. 519. Jack BostockN/A.Queensland1. Kalyn PongaOutstanding under the high ball again. Fairly well contained by the Blues early on but came to life in the second half. 7.5/102. Selwyn CobboHas Cobbo played a better game? Scored three tries and laid on another for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with a deft kick. Also made several strong carries. 83. Robert ToiaWas also well contained by the Blues but went within a whisker of scoring his team’s second try. Defended stoutly throughout. 6.54. Hamiso Tabuai-FidowOpportunities were few and far between until he made the clean break that led to the Maroons’ first-half try. Outstanding second half. 75. Jojo FifitaAfter a quiet first half, especially in attack, easily out-leaped To’o for his first Origin try. 6.56. Cameron MunsterYet another classy captain’s knock, combining superbly with Walker. Laid on two tries with pinpoint kicks and had a big hand in the Maroons’ first four-pointer, too. 8.5Queensland skipper Cameron Munster.Getty Images7. Sam WalkerHis second Origin was even better than his first three weeks ago. Flawless with the goalkicking boot, landing seven from seven. Set to be the Maroons’ halfback for the next decade. 88. Thomas FleglerSimple handling error from the kick-off gifted the Blues the opening try, but otherwise solid in his 34-minute stint. 69. Harry GrantCameron Smith in commentary rated this as Grant’s best Origin performance in some time, with his dummy-half scoots terrorising the Blues. 810. Tino Fa’asuamaleauiPlaying his first game since the death of his beloved father, Fereti, the giant front-rower was a tower of strength up front. 7.511. Briton NikoraDid not put a foot wrong in his second game for the Maroons. 612. Kurt CapewellTypically steady 50-minute performance by the veteran Queensland workhorse. 613. Reuben CotterDoes Reuben Cotter ever let any team down? Outstanding team player who does all the little things so well. 6.514. Max PlathCame on in the 22nd minute and made an immediate impact, throwing the final (and very clever) pass for Loiero’s try. Backed that up with another great ball to Munster that led to another Queensland try. 6.515. Lindsay CollinsLost the ball from the kick-off in the second half but was unlucky not to receive a penalty. Made amends soon after by backing up a Grant break to score. 6.516. Kulikefu FinefeuiakiOnly got eight minutes of game time when the game was won. 317. 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. 6.518. Reece WalshN/A.19. Murray TaulagiN/A.Default avatarPhil Mitchell is a desk editor at The Sydney Morning Herald.From our partners