They were done and cooked, but a four-try second half saw Laurie Daley’s men come incredibly close to running down a 20 point margin before going down 26-24 in a game they really should have won.

The undisciplined Blues were on the wrong end of a 10-2 penalty count, but they had the ball for seven minutes longer than their opponents and scored five tries to four. Poor goalkicking was the difference, so it’s off to Sydney for the series decider next month.

Here’s how the Blues players rated.

1. Dylan Edwards: His usual solid self, with a really good defensive play to snuff a shortside chance in the first half. 7/10

2. Brian To’o: Scored a hat-trick, the third a sensational finish. Busted some bodies on the way to 226 metres. It’s time to start talking about him as one of NSW’s greatest wingers. 8/10

3. Stephen Crichton: An early error was part of a very quiet first half. Nice finish to give his team a sniff in the second half and he did lift, but it came too late. 5/10

4. Latrell Mitchell: Decent game but could have added a bit more in attack beyond quick catch and passes. Great play in the first half to stop a certain try. 6/10

5. Zac Lomax: Got his metres but was subdued in attack, should have been binned for a stupid act giving away a penalty while in possession. Kicking 2/5 cost his team massively, even though two were from out wide. 4/10

6. Jarome Luai: Ordinary all night before putting on a great kick for Crichton to score. On report and should be suspended for what looked like an eye gouge. 5/10

7. Nathan Cleary: Obviously working against a thigh injury but still did some good things, field kicking could have used the conditions a bit better. 6.5/10

Nathan Cleary. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

8. Max King: Just OK, couldn’t give the power running and fast play New South Wales needed early on. Laurie Daley noticed that too, with King only getting the first 26 minutes. 4/10

9. Reece Robson: I thought he played pretty well. 32 tackles with one miss in that weather. A couple of good, timely runs and decent service in absolutely hosing rain. 7/10

10. Payne Haas: A more workmanlike outing but lifted his game significantly in the last 20 minutes – 143 metres, 56 post-contact and led his team with 35 tackles (no misses). 7/10

11. Liam Martin: Queensland had reviewed his tape – targeted all night, he got smashed time and time again which reduced his usual impact. 5/10

12. Angus Crichton: His usual reliable self, he gives a consistent performance every State of Origin game – 33 tackles, 94 metres and a try. 6/10

13. Isaah Yeo: A much quieter outing for the skipper – 105 metres and 32 tackles without a miss looks good in the stats, but Queensland planned for him much better this go around. 6/10

Angus Crichton and the Blues in 2025 Origin II (Photo by Getty Images)

14. Connor Watson: On for the last 20. Bad error with 10 to go gave possession away, but kept things moving which is his job. 5/10

15. Spencer Leniu: If you’re gonna talk it, you best be able to walk it. In the sideshow of acting tough and scary Leniu forgot what he was supposed to do, which is be an effective prop in a State of Origin game. Best thing he did all night was the decoy run on To’o’s second try. 4/10

16. Hudson Young: Did well in a big stint, a couple of moments could have been cleaner but Young brought the energy to the forwards that the Blues had been missing. 6.5/10

17. Stefano Utoikamanu: Only got 28 minutes and was OK enough. Put a big hit on Harry Grant before being wrongfooted by Nathan Cleary and obstructing a try, which he can hardly be blamed for.  5/10