Darius Boyd of the Maroons scores a try during game one of the State of Origin. Photo / Getty Images
Player ratings following the dramatic opening State of Origin encounter which saw NSW beat Queensland 12-8.
1. JARRYD HAYNE
It's official - he is back to his 2009 Dally M Medal winning best. Man of the match terrorised Queensland all night. Scored try in the 33rd minute.
9.5
.
2. BRETT MORRIS
In cahoots with brother Josh. In all sorts clutching his shoulder when scoring in 19th minute, only to miraculously return. Caught out in defence by two-try winger Darius Boyd but pulled off remarkable try saver on the winger in 74th. 8.
3. MICHAEL JENNINGS
Kept Queensland honest in attack with limited looks. 6.
4 JOSH MORRIS
Constant threat, linking well with brother and that man Hayne but forced to leave field late in second half. 7.
5. DANIEL TUPOU
Flew high as expected after being dubbed the next Israel Folau but initially lacked the other aspect of being an aerial threat - catching the ball. Took some bad options in attack. Officially made four errors. 5.5.
6. JOSH REYNOLDS
Niggling, nagging playmaker asked questions in attack but may have gone too far in defence. Placed on report in 28th minute for a lifting tackle on Brent Tate. 7.5
7. TRENT HODKINSON
First three kicks hit a Queenslander on the chest and missed first conversion attempt but settled alongside Reynolds. Even spilt blood after copping stray boot on nose. 6.5.
8. AARON WOODS
Relishing a starting debut, the Wests Tigers big bopper racked up 85m from nine runs and 28 tackles. 6.
9. ROBBIE FARAH
Probing from dummy half as always, was a constant spark for NSW and notch a team-high 36 tackles. 7.
10. JAMES TAMOU
Big fella toiled hard lining up against Queensland pack led by Cowboys teammate Matt Scott. Notched 75m from 10 runs and 32 tackles. 6.5.
11. BEAU SCOTT
Missed two telling tackles early, involved in ugly lifting tackle on Tate that ended with Reynolds on report. Crushed Billy Slater in tackle late in match that left Queensland No.1 injured. 5.5
12. RYAN HOFFMAN Rock solid as usual. 7.
13. PAUL GALLEN (c)
Usual hard-nosed display. 30 tackles. 154m gained. Only time he looked human was when pole axed from behind by old sparring partner Josh Papalii in 47th minute. 8.5
Interchange:
14. ANTHONY WATMOUGH
Backrower again threatened from bench with limited options. 6
15. TRENT MERRIN
Big fella notched 39m and 17 tackles in bench cameo. 6
16. LUKE LEWIS
Utility was a handful with 38m, 11 tackles and two tackle breaks in late cameo. 6.
17. TONY WILLIAMS The T-Rex did not flex his considerable muscles but still managed seven tackles, a tackle break and 31m from four runs. 5.5.
1. BILLY SLATER
Dangerous with the ball in hand all night. Made a great tackle in the second half to stop a runaway Jarryd Hayne and also came up with the ball. 8.5
2. DARIUS BOYD
Scored both Queensland's tries to continue his phenomenal Origin strike rate. Nearly got a third in the dying stages which could've won the match. 8
3. GREG INGLIS
Everything he always is: strong, quick and continually dangerous. Has found a willing opponent in Josh Morris. 8
4. JUSTIN HODGES
The wily veteran defied the ankle knock he struggled with in the build-up. Busy and always trying to find chinks in the Blues' defence. 7
5. BRENT TATE
Always tries hard and his endeavour was ever-present throughout. Highlight was a brilliant tap back to find Thurston after Tupou dropped a bomb. 7.5
6. JOHNATHAN THURSTON
A mixed night for the champion five-eighth. Physically beaten twice by Jarryd Hayne for NSW tries, Thurston did all he could to salvage the situation in the second half. 7
7. COOPER CRONK
Only lasted 10 minutes before breaking his arm. 5
8. MATT SCOTT
Immense. The Kangaroos prop ran hard, tackled hard and was easily Queensland's best during NSW's first-half dominance. 9
9. CAMERON SMITH
Battled with an ankle injury in the second half. Finished with 46 tackles as he worked himself into the ground. 8
10. NATE MYLES
Sparked the Maroons second-half fightback. Made some big shots and also made some notable hit-ups. First half highlight was a bomb which played a role in Queensland's opening try. 8
18. CHRIS McQUEEN
Made six runs, 42 metres and 15 tackles. Was lucky to retain his Origin jersey given his club form and will be sweating on selection again coming into game two. 5.5
12. MATT GILLETT
Worked hard and nearly had a try but spilled a Daly Cherry-Evans pass with the line begging just before halftime. 7
13. COREY PARKER
Tried his best to lift Queensland at the start of the second-half. Run-in with Paul Gallen made him the most popular man in the stadium. 7.5
Interchange:
14. DALY CHERRY-EVANS
Played 70 minutes after Cronk's injury. Tried hard but lacked polish in attack with few of his passes and kicks coming to anything. 6.5
15. BEN TE'O
Held back until early in the second half and played a key role in Queensland's fightback. Made several solid runs in his limited opportunity. 7.5
16. AIDAN GUERRA
Denied a try on debut by a great Josh Morris tackle. Other than that didn't have much impact. 6.5
17. JOSH PAPALII
Failed to offer much in attack but worked hard in defence. Rattled Gallen with a hit which left the Blues skipper clutching at his neck. 6.5
- AAP
OPINION: Despite disappointments against Australia and Tonga, there were signs of hope.