It was not the night the Blues expected, getting done on home soil by the Maroons.
There were a few shining lights for New South Wales, but many were nowhere near their usual standards.
Let's check out the player ratings.
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NSW
1.James Tedesco - 7/10
He tried hard all night, ran the most metres from either side and did his best to inspire his troops - but it just wasn't to be.
2.Brian To'o - 6/10
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Lots of pressure was sent his direction and he handled it well. Didn't attack the way we are used to seeing, although he did carry the ball for a fair few metres.
3.Kotoni Staggs - 3/10
Didn't have a good night on debut, and then left the field early with a shoulder injury.
4.Jack Wighton - 8.5
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Well, didn't Jackie boy prove us all wrong! Had a sensational game, solid in defence, scored the Blues' first try and showed us all why he deserved his spot. Easily New South Wales' best.
5. Daniel Tupou - 5
Kept coming in from the wing to bring the ball back, making decent metres. Wasn't at his electric best but did well enough.
6. Jarome Luai - 5.5
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Luai played well but was very quiet compared to what we are used to seeing and expecting. Was involved in the Blues' two tries but didn't seem to play with his normal flare.
7.Nathan Cleary - 4
Wow. What happened here? He was just suffocated and frustrated. Queensland were all over him and there was nothing he could do about it. Like Luai, the world was expected from him, but he couldn't deliver.
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8. Payne Haas - 7
Solid effort from the big front rower. Was tough and tried all night.
9. Damien Cook - 6.5
Another one who did a great job but was not at his best. Was the highest tackler across the park with 54, had a hand in the Blues' first try, but have seen more from him in the past.
10. Junior Paulo - 4.5
Such high expectations were put on this man mountain, but unfortunately, he didn't deliver.
11. Cameron Murray - 5
Not the best from Murray. Impact off the bench was lacking. Despite scoring the Blues' last try to keep them in the match, there was more he did wrong than right, including causing an obstruction to have an earlier NSW try denied.
12. Tariq Simms - 5
He did ok. Tried hard in the first half but the Blues needed more from him. Will come under the microscope for game two selection.
13. Isaah Yeo - 5
Was absolutely smashed by Big Papa in the opening hit-up of the game. Never looked right after that. Many were surprised he didn't come off. So much was expected from him, so his game was a bit of a disappointment.
14. Stephen Crichton - 3
The man everyone thought should have been in the starting side instead of Wighton had a shocker. Was placed on report for a dangerous tackle, had the ball stripped by Munster at a pivotal moment - not great all round.
15. Liam Martin - 6.5
Was the best Panther on show tonight. Solid effort, did his job.
16. Regan Campbell-Gillard - 5.5
Started strong, but once again didn't make the impact that many thought he would.
17. Ryan Matterson - 5
The man on debut did well when called upon. Tried hard. Did nothing amazing but also nothing terribly bad.
Featured Image Credit: SuppliedTopics: New South Wales, Rugby League, nrl, State of Origin, Australia