WE reveal the studs and duds from game one of the 2014 State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium....
1. Billy Slater — Who had questions over Slater’s form? Slater made an exceptional start at fullback and was their best all night with crucial attacking plays and defensive stops. Perhaps wishes he threw the final pass at the death.
2. Darius Boyd — Forget whatever Boyd does at club level, when he wears Maroon he is as classy finisher this arena has ever seen. Two tries last night takes him to 14 for Queensland, second only to Inglis. Could’ve had three, if only.
Darius Boyd scores Queensland. Source: News Corp Australia...
3. Greg Inglis — The plan to get GI the ball took almost an hour to eventuate, but when he got it the superstar put Boyd across for his second try. Inglis was strong in defence and when Maroons needed a lift he stepped up to the plate. They need more from him in Game Two.
4. Justin Hodges — If Hodges had a dodgy ankle, he wasn’t showing it. The Blues negated his work out of dummy half early but as the match wore on this veteran came into his own.
5. Brent Tate — If there is a busier winger in Origin I’ve never seen him. Tate threw the final pass for Boyd’s opening try, split his head early then was tipped on it. That was all in the first half hour.
6. Johnathan Thurston — Was tormented by Jarryd Hayne all night in defence in a deliberate plan by the Blues. Tried his best all night and lifted when the Maroons needed to mount a fightback, but didn’t have the fluency in attack Queensland wanted at the death.
Johnathan Thurston takes on Tony Williams. Source: News Corp Australia...
7. Cooper Cronk — Broke his arm in the opening 10 minutes and immediately called for his understudy Daly Cherry-Evans to take the field. His early departure disrupted the Maroons game plan.
8. Matt Scott — The Blues did a job on him. Constantly in his face early, never allowed him to get on the front foot. Stopping Scott was a major factor in NSW getting the win.
9. Cameron Smith — Didn’t have the same influence on the game as we’ve come to know from the skipper and the Blues were constantly into the referees about his tactics. Still had a game high 46 tackles and fought on with a bad ankle injury.
10. Nate Myles — Was Queensland’s best forward, even produced a handy kick in the first half, but still threw a needless offload early that robbed Queensland of an attacking chance. Worked his tail off and led the way for the Maroons when the charge was coming.
18. Chris McQueen — For a man with a defensive reputation, his early line break running a good line was brilliant. Worked hard all night but was rarely sighted in attack after his first touch.
Cooper Cronk injured on the sideline during game one. Source: News Corp Australia...
12. Matt Gillett — Hardly touched the ball in the first half and when he did made a costly mistake hitting the line at speed for what could have been a four-pointer. Queensland missed Sam Thaiday and will hopefully welcome him back for Game Two.
13. Corey Parker — Just trailed Myles as Queensland’s best forward and was always involved in the action. Had a bit of niggle with the man wearing No. 13 for the Blues. Queensland needed to play off his offloads but pulled the trigger on the second phase play too late.
Josh Reynolds was placed on report after a dangerous lifting tackle on Queensland's Brent Tate in Origin one, which sparked tensions between both sides...
14. Daly Cherry-Evans — Got a start before he expected, but oozed confidence from his very first touch. A bit of miscommunication in attack but now is his time, he needs to save the series for Queensland in Game Two.
15. Ben Te’o — Didn’t see any first half action and tried to get involved when he came on, but was too often ignored as a decoy runner. When he got the ball he looked a likely gamebreaker, but the Blues defence was rock solid.
16. Aidan Guerra — Adapted to this level like a wily veteran and never once backed down with numerous battles with Paul Gallen. Like the look of him in Maroon, he will be here for years to come.
Josh Reynolds is tackled by Aidan Guerra. Source: News Corp Australia.
17. Josh Papalii — Forced to play in the middle as first replacement for Matt Scott and did plenty of hard yards in defence. Yet to see him really deliver with ball in hand which is what he has been selected to produce.
NEW SOUTH WALES:
1. Jarryd Hayne — He was the difference. Queensland knew he was the biggest threat but they couldn’t stop the superstar as he set up one try, scored another and tormented Queensland all night long.
2. Brett Morris — Forget the early slip, or Boyd’s second try, and remember that final tackle on Boyd in the 74th minute that stopped Boyd’s hat-trick. That saved the night for the Blues and showed his courage after dislocating his shoulder scoring himself in the first half.
3. Michael Jennings — An ever present danger, but the Blues ran most of their attack in the opposite direction so his speed never really came into play.
Jarryd Hayne put in a man-of-the-match showing for the Blues. Source: News Corp Australia.
4. Josh Morris — Brilliant trysaver on Aidan Guerra in the second half that snuffed out a major Maroons chance. Set up his brother in the first half and handled the threat of Inglis for most the night.
5. Daniel Tupou — Never got a chance to show his aerial skills close to the line, but was not out of place elsewhere in the game. Safe as houses when the Maroons tried to go at him and will no doubt grow into a very dangerous Origin player.
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