Origin III player ratings: NSW Blues

Player ratings for the NSW Blues team in their State of Origin III clash with the Queensland Maroons at Suncorp Stadium.

1. James Tedesco: The skipper grabbed his team's first try in the ninth minute but lasted only 10 more minutes before copping accidental knees to the head from Josh Papalii and leaving the field for a HIA which he failed. 2/10

2. Daniel Tupou: Grabbed his second Origin try in the 66th minute as the Blues looked to mount a comeback and finished the night with 116 metres from 15 runs. 7

3. Clint Gutherson: Still looked uncomfortable defending in the centres but more at home when shifted to fullback after Tedesco went off. 6.5

4. Jack Wighton: Came up with some powerful defence as the Blues were forced to do a stack of tackling in the second half. No real impact in attack. 6.5

5. Josh Addo-Carr: Not his usual dynamic self and had limited opportunities but sprung to life late in the match as the Blues mounted a desperate late challenge. 6.5

6. Cody Walker: Always scheming but struggled to have the same impact as Game Two. Put in a couple of poor kicks and couldn't come up with a big play on the last tackle when it was needed. Left the field concussed with five minutes to play. 5.5

7. Nathan Cleary: Defended strongly in the first half and produced a superb 40-20 kick in the 30th minute but the Blues lacked polish in the second term and the No.7 couldn't pull the game out of the fire. 6.5

8. Daniel Saifiti: Got through plenty of work with 140 metres from 15 runs. Tried hard but the Maroons forwards had the better of the battle up front. 6.5

9. Damien Cook: Plenty of tackles (47) as always but couldn't find the spark out of dummy-half which has made him such a dangerous player during the Blues' series wins in 2018-19. 6

10: Payne Haas: Made plenty of headlines for his aggression in Sydney but there was none of that fire in the decider as he made just 35 metres from seven runs. 5

11. Angus Crichton: Started strong with 83 metres and 24 tackles in the first half and continued to work hard after the break as NSW dug deep to try and stay in the game. Produced his best game in a Blues jersey. 8

12. Tyson Frizell: Strong defensively on right edge with 38 tackles but no real impact in attack. 6

13. Jake Trbojevic: Got through a mountain of work in defence with 54 tackles and never lets his state down. A typically tireless display. 7

Interchange

14. Dale Finucane: Strong when he came on but coughed up possession early in second half to put the Blues under the pump. 6

15. Junior Paulo: Made 110 metres from 15 runs but the Blues bench failed to have the same impact as a week ago. 6

16. Nathan Brown: Only got on the field in the 50th minute and played just 12 minutes in total, making 27 metres from three runs. 3

17. Isaah Yeo: Entered the game early when Tedesco was forced off and ended up playing 61 minutes. Struggled to have an impact early at right centre but kept working hard and made 108 metres from 15 runs with a late line break. 7

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.