LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In the thrilling second game of the 2025 State of Origin, the Queensland Maroons secured a decider after defeating the New South Wales Blues in Perth.
The match featured contrasting halves, with Queensland leading 26-6 at halftime but facing pressure in the second half before ultimately holding on for the win, aided by the Blues' ineffective goal-kicking.
Player Ratings:
Kalyn Ponga - 4/10
Ponga had a notably subdued performance, mirroring a disappointing outing in the series opener.He managed just 75 run metres and only had a single impressive run.
His game included the mismanagement of high balls, with one notable drop being a backward mistake.
- Xavier Coates - 4.5
Coates was largely absent throughout the game, making only 69 metres from 9 carries.His overall impact was minimal, contributing little to the team's efforts.
This assessment of player performances highlights the challenges faced by Queensland in maintaining their lead and points to areas needing improvement in the upcoming decider.