Cody Walker stole the show and Josh Addo-Carr scored a superb State of Origin try as New South Wales avoided a whitewash in the series finale.
Walker dominated in his first game for the Blues since 2020 as the Blues ran out comfortable 24-10 winners in Sydney on Wednesday night as debutant Bradman Best scored a double on debut.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fido maintained his impressive record of scoring in each of his Origin appearances with a superb solo effort, but it was not enough for the Maroons to complete a first series sweep since 2010.
Queensland can console themselves with a third series win in four years.
Here’s who excelled and who disappointed as the Blues ended a disappointing series on a high.
New South Wales beat Queensland 24-10 in the third game in Sydney.
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New South Wales
James Tedesco – 6.5
Could this really be his final Origin appearance? Despite starting well, David Fifita bulldozed out of the way as the giant Queenslander crashed through the opening try.
Did his best to leave his mark on the game and set up Serra’s second try with a brilliant break that provided a timely reminder of his incredible talent.
Brian To’o – 7
As the Maroons opened the scoring, Hamiso was outjumped by Tabuai-Fido, making amends with a superb finish to level the scores.
Stephen Crichton – 7.5
Put in some big tackles throughout the first half and set up To’o’s try. His kicking from the tee, however, was a mixed bag as he made two conversions and two penalties out of four.
Bradman Best – 8.5
His Origin debut will be remembered for a long time. He scored his first touch of the ball only to be ruled out for offside, before setting up Josh Addo-Kar’s sensational solo effort.
He then grabbed one for himself and added another in the second half. Defensively outstanding.
Bradman Bess (right) scored on his Origin debut and produced a brilliant performance
Josh Addo-Carr – 8.5
Retained his place despite a disappointing Game II and redeemed Fittler’s luck with a superb Origin try. Played a key role in the Blues’ first try, skipping AJ Brimson and looking a completely different player to the toil he had in the first two contests.
Josh Addo-Carr (centre) scores one of the greatest solo tries in State of Origin history
Cody Walker – 9
Made his first New South Wales appearance since 2019 and tore the Queensland defense apart at will throughout the game.
The Blues must be wondering why he wasn’t selected for the first two games and on tonight’s evidence, Jerome Luay may have to work hard to take the No.6 jersey away from the Rabbitohs star.
Mitchell Moses – 7.5
Started with great intent, kicked well and ran hard at the Maroons. Not afraid to put his body on the line, he stood up to David Fifita with a crunching tackle.
Jake Trbojevic – 6.5
Returned earlier than expected from injury to make his 16th Blues appearance. carries hard and
Damien Cook – 7.5
Deployed out of position in Game II, he looked more at home and was assured of the No. 9 jersey.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard – 6
Did a lot in the first half but faded a bit in the second half.
Liam Martin – 7.5
Lindsay Collins rattled off a brutal strike early after the break and a dangerous Queensland attack was halted by a great tackle from Ben Hunt.
Keaon Koloamatangi – 6.5
Another Blues debutant had a crucial hand in the Blues’ first try with a delightful flick.
Cameron Murray – 7
Promoted to the starting line-up, he made himself known well and got to know his two Rabbitohs teammates.
Interchange
Isah Yeo – 6.5
Dropped to the bench, made an impact in the second half with some typically strong tackles and narrowly missed a try.
Jacob Saifiti – 6
Worked hard off the bench and was perfectly serviceable.
Reece Robson – 6
Did no wrong coming off the bench after getting the starting gig in Game II.
Clinton Gutherson – N/A
Fittler said he had no plans for him and it showed as he came off the bench with just three minutes remaining.
Scott Drinkwater – N/A
Never came off the bench.
Queensland
AJ Brimson – 3
Reece Walsh is not easy to replace and it showed. It was no man’s land for Ado-Carr, who missed for the Blues’ first try and a stunning solo effort from the Blues winger.
Picking the wrong receiver ruined a glorious offensive opportunity as the Maroons looked to break.
Xavier Coates – 5
A tough night for the Queensland winger, as New South Wales tormented the Maroons from the right wing in the first half.
Valentine Homes – 3
Queensland endured a torrid first half as the Blues found moments of joy down the right.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidoo- 8
One of the Maroons heroes of the series, was very solid under the high ball and set up David Fifita’s opening try. Maintained his record of scoring a try in every Origin appearance with a superb solo effort. An incredible player.
Murray Oily – 6.5
Solid under the high ball, he ran with his usual intensity and split the Blues’ defense wide open with a superb break in the second half but provided support.
Cameron Munster – 6
Search and plan with the usual
Daley Cherry-Evans – 6
The Queensland captain was not at his defensive best as New South Wales tore the Maroons’ right flank to shreds in the first half. The second half is more involved
Reuben Cotter – 6.5
Running with natural intensity topped the Maroons’ tackling charts.
Harry Grant – 4
Gave away two penalties in the opening 17 minutes and intercepted a Stephen Crichton pass right at the end of the first half, leading to a penalty for New South Wales.
An unnecessary knock-on in the second half derailed a promising attack.
Tino Fa’asumalewi – 5.5
A lot of effort, but not a lot of end product.
David Fifita – 6.5
Tabui-Fido’s touch in the right place at the right time to score Queensland’s first try.
David Fifita (right) scored Origin III’s opening try with a smart finish
Jeremiah Nanai – 5.5
Like some of his teammates, the Cowboys star wasn’t at his best. Appeared to have scored in the first half, but was ruled to have been knocked down by a bunker.
Patrick Carrigan – 5.5
Bring the usual intensity to proceedings with some typically crunching tackles and determined runs.
Interchange
Ben Hunt – 5
Less effective than usual off the bench. A knock-on in the second half proved costly as another promising chance was wasted.
Lindsay Collins – 6.5
The player of the match in the second game was again heavily involved in the series finale. Penalty for a knock-on in the second half that would have scored a try.
Moaki Fotuika – 5
Failed to make an impact off the bench.
Corey Horsburgh – 6
Was marred by a huge tackle on his Origin debut, but shrugged it off and worked hard in the second half with some eye-catching runs.
Tom Dearden – N/A
Did not get off the bench.
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