State of Origin first half player ratings: How the Blues and Maroons played in game three

July 8, 2026 — 9:09pm

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We rate the first-half performances of every player who took the field in Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

1. James TedescoLed the Blues’ go-forward with a combination of kick returns, dummy-half scoots and old-fashioned hit-ups. Busy as usual, before coming off second best in a head clash with Briton Nikora. 7/10

2. Jack BostockThe Origin debutant took a confidence-boosting bomb early, but later spilled the ball himself with the tryline wide open. Did very well to get out of his in-goal under plenty of pressure after a Harry Grant kick, then dropped a bomb in the final minute of the half. 5

3. Bradman BestWas beaten a couple of times defending Robert Toia early on, then created a half-chance with a line break and an offload to Hudson Young. 6

4. Stephen CrichtonDefended well on the right edge to help snuff out Queensland’s first attacking raid, and made the line break that led to Cleary’s second try. Couldn’t stop Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on the way to the tryline. 6

5. Mark NawaqanitawaseMissed a tricky try-scoring chance when he couldn’t grab a Nathan Cleary kick one-handed, then threw........

© The Sydney Morning Herald