Cody Walker stole the show and Josh Addo-Carr scored one of State of Origin’s great tries as New South Wales prevented a shutout in the series finale.
The Blues won comfortably 24-10 in Sydney on Wednesday night, with Walker dominating proceedings in his first game back for the Blues since 2020 when debutant Bradman Best scored a brace on debut.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow maintained his impressive scoring record in each of his Origin appearances with an excellent solo try, but the Maroons didn’t have enough to complete a first drive since 2010.
Queensland can take solace in winning their third series in four years.
Here’s who stood out and who disappointed as the Blues ended a disappointing series on a high.
New South Wales secured a 24-10 victory over Queensland in Game III in Sydney
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NEW SOUTH WALES
James Tedesco – 6.5
Could this really be his last Origin appearance? He started well but was bowled over by David Fifita as the Queenslander giant crashed for the first attempt.
He did his best to make his mark on the game, setting up Best’s second try with a superb break that offered a timely reminder of his incredible talent.
Brian Too – 7
Outjumped by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as the Maroons opened the scoring, they made amends with a superb finish to level the score.
Stephen Crichton – 7.5
Make some big tackles during the first half and set up To’o’s try. His kick off the tee, however, was a mixed bag as he nailed two of four conversions and two penalties.
Bradman Best – 8.5
You will remember your Origin debut for a long time. He scored with his first touch of the ball, but the attempt was disallowed for offside, before setting up Josh Addo-Carr’s sensational solo effort.
He then grabbed one for himself and added another in the second half. Defensively outstanding.
Bradman Bes (right) scored on his Origin debut and put in an excellent performance
Josh Addo-Carr – 8.5
He retained his spot despite a dismal Game II and met Fittler’s fate with one of Origin’s great tries. He was instrumental in the Blues’ first try, beating AJ Brimson and looking like a completely different player as he worked hard in the first two contests.
Josh Addo-Carr (center) scored one of the greatest solo tries in State of Origin history
Cody Walker-9
His first NSW appearance since 2019 and he shredded the Queensland defense at will throughout the game.
The Blues must be wondering why he wasn’t selected for the first two games and based on tonight’s tests, Jarome Luai may have to work hard to strip the Rabbitohs star’s number 6 jersey.
Mitchell Moses – 7.5
He started with great purpose, kicking well and running hard against the Maroons. Not afraid to put his body on the lines, he faced David Fifita with a forceful tackle.
Jake Trbojevic – 6.5
He returned earlier than expected from injury to make his 16th Blues appearance. worn hard and
Damian Cook – 7.5
Displaced out of position in Game II, he looked much more at home and confident in the number 9 jersey.
Reagan Campbell Gillard – 6
He went through a lot of work in the early gates but faded a bit in the second half.
Liam Martin – 7.5
Lindsay Collins stunned with a brutal strike shortly after the break and stopped a dangerous Queensland attack with a brilliant tackle on Ben Hunt.
Keaon Koloamatangi – 6.5
The Blues’ other rookie had a crucial hand on the Blues’ first try with a lovely move.
cameron murray-7
Promoted to the starting lineup, he became well acquainted as did his two Rabbitohs teammates.
EXCHANGES
isaah yeo – 6.5
He dropped to the bench, made an impact with some typically strong tackles in the second half, and narrowly missed a try.
Jacob Saifiti – 6
He worked hard off the bench and was perfectly useful.
Reece Robson-6
He came off the bench after getting the starting performance in Game II and was error-free.
Clinton Gutherson – N/A
Fittler said he didn’t have a plan for him and showed it when he came off the bench with just three minutes to go.
Scott’s Drinking Water – N/A
He never came off the bench.
QUEENSLAND
A. J. Brimson – 3
Replacing Reece Walsh is not easy and it proved. He missed Addo-Carr for the Blues’ first try and was in no man’s land for the Blues winger’s impressive solo effort.
He squandered a glorious attacking opportunity by picking the wrong receiver as the Maroons looked to break.
Javier Coates – 5
A difficult night for the Queensland winger as New South Wales racked the Maroons down the right wing throughout the first half.
valentine holmes – 3
He endured a torrid first half as the Blues found joy time and time again down the Queensland right-hand side.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 8
One of the Maroons’ series heroes, he was very solid under the lob and set up David Fifita’s first down. He maintained his record of scoring a try in every Origin appearance with an excellent solo effort. An incredible player.
Murray Taulagi – 6.5
Solid under the high ball, he ran with his usual intensity and opened the Blues defense wide with a superb second-half break, but ran support.
cameron munster-6
Tested and schematized with the usual.
Daly Cherry Evans – 6
The Queensland captain was not at his defensive best as New South Wales sliced the Maroons’ right edge to pieces in the first half. More involved in the second part
Reuben Cotter – 6.5
He ran with his usual intensity and topped the Maroons’ tackle lists.
Harry Grant – 4
He awarded two penalties in the first 17 minutes and had a pass intercepted by Stephen Crichton just late in the first half, leading to a New South Wales penalty.
A squandering in the second half derailed a promising attack.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 5.5
A lot of effort, but little final product.
David Fifita – 6.5
In the right place at the right time to jump Tabuai-Fidow’s touch to score Queensland’s first try.
David Fifita (right) scored Origin III’s first try with a clever finish
Jeremiah Nanai – 5.5
Like some of his teammates, the Cowboys star was not in his prime. He seemed to have scored in the first half, but he was deemed brought down by the bunker.
Patrick Carrigan – 5.5
Bring the usual intensity to proceedings with some typically crisp innings and determined runs.
EXCHANGES
ben hunt – 5
Less effective than usual from the bench. A second-half knockout proved costly as another promising opportunity dried up.
lindsay collins-6.5
The Man of the Match in Game II was once again heavily involved in the series finale. Penalized for a knockout in the second half that could have led to a try.
Moeaki Fotuaika – 5
He failed to make an impact from the bench.
Corey Horsburgh-6
He was rocked by a big tackle on his Origin debut but brushed it off and worked hard throughout the second half with some flashy runs.
Tom Dearden-N/A
He did not come off the bench.
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