NSW won a dramatic State of Origin III at ANZ Stadium thanks to a last minute try to Michael Jennings. Here are NRL.com's player ratings.
1. James Tedesco
Showed enough in 80 minutes to suggest the No.1 jersey will be his for many years to come. It was his supporting break that paved the way for Michael Jennings' match winning-try. Tedesco made more metres than any other player with 258 and looked lethal whenever he got the ball in space. Supported his forwards through the middle and created several half-chances on the fringes with his speed. 8.5/10
2. Blake Ferguson
After a relatively quiet 78 minutes, Ferguson burst into life with a huge break in the dying seconds to get the Blues in good position for Jennings' try. It was just rewards for Ferguson who easily had his best game of the series with 157 metres and plenty of tough carries. It was his error that led to Inglis' try early on, but he more than made up for it at the death. 7/10
3. Michael Jennings
Like most of his teammates, Jennings saved his best for Gallen's farewell. The Eels speedster looked likely every time he touched the ball, and fittingly crashed over in the final minute to steal victory at the death. 7/10
4. Josh Dugan
The 2015 Brad Fittler Medallist has had better games for the Blues over the years. Dugan jammed in and took no one for Queensland's first try and was restricted whenever he got the ball in attack. The Blues centre was then forced from the field after 49 minutes after receiving a shoulder charge from Greg Inglis. 4/10
5. Josh Mansour
Unfortunately it was his slip that led to the try to Darius Boyd that looked to have given Queensland the win. Before that he'd had a solid game with his pressure on Dane Gagai contributing to the Blues' second try. Did well to contain his opposite number after being outpointed in the first two games. 5.5/10
14. Matt Moylan
Was thrust into the unfamiliar role of five-eighth but handled the pressure with aplomb. Wasn't afraid to take the line on and showed silky hands to put the outside backs in space. The Maroons targeted him early on in defence, but he only missed one tackle on the night. 6/10
7. James Maloney
Was handed the reins as chief playmaker and never shirked away from his responsibilities. Took the line on 12 times and made a line break early in the contest. His long kicking was the best we've seen from a Blues playmaker in many years. 7/10
8. Aaron Woods
Not for the first time, Aaron Woods was just about the best prop on the field this series. The Tigers skipper comfortably made the most metres out of any forward on the paddock with 170 from 21 carries. There is nothing to suggest he can't lead the Blues as well from 2017 onwards. 7.5/10
9. Robbie Farah
Led the tackle count for the Blues with 42 and supported his forwards through the middle like all good hookers should. Wasn't his most dynamic game in attack, but he did nothing wrong. 6.5/10
10. Paul Gallen
Got the fairytale farewell finish after a decade of tireless service to his state. There was nothing surprising about his tackle count and bulk metres, but he chipped in with two try assists – including the final pass for Jennings' try - and a goal after the siren to leave the Origin arena with a win he will forever cherish. 7.5/10
11. Wade Graham
After a false start, Graham finally made his debut, and looks set to wear sky blue for many years to come. The Sharks backrower would have scored had Cooper Cronk not held him back, but did earn his side a numerical advantage as a result. Got through his usual numbers in defence and his ball-playing was a constant threat on the left edge. Credited with a try assist after he toed the ball through for the Fifita try. 7/10
12. Josh Jackson
Did everything that was expected of him with 115 metres and 29 tackles in another efficient 80-minute showing for his state. 6.5/10
13. Tyson Frizell
Looks to have made the lock position his own with another terrific performance for the Blues. The Dragons powerhouse forward made it two in as many games to score a try almost identical to the one he grabbed in Game Two. 8/10
6. Jack Bird
Would've been great to see him when the Maroons only had 12 players on the field. His footwork and ability to create something out of nothing made him a threat for the 30 minutes he was on the field. Also chased a James Maloney long kick to pin the Maroons deep in their own end. 6/10
15. James Tamou
A massive improvement from his performance in Game Two. Added punch off the bench in the middle stages, but came up with a costly error late in the first half when the Blues were a man up. 5.5/10
16. David Klemmer
Definitely his best game of the series with the Bulldogs big man producing the sort of numbers he's been delivering at club level in 2016. Klemmer carted it forward 12 times for 103 metres and added a couple of offloads. 6/10
17. Andrew Fifita
The best and worst of Andrew Fifita was on show, with the Sharks firebrand going from hero to zero in the space of 10 minutes after the break. Fifita showed incredible speed to pounce on a loose ball to score early in the second stanza, and backed it up with a typically destructive charge from the ensuing kick-off. But having given his side an eight-point lead, Fifita undid all his good work after he was sent to the sin bin for racing into a melee to put Gavin Cooper into a headlock. 5.5/10
This article first appeared on NRL.com.
