Rookies prove mixed bag but help get the job done

QUEENSLAND’S four debutants were never going to be the match- winners for the Maroons last night.

But they did a damn good job in helping their side to victory anyway.

Like the rest of their team, it was a rocks and diamonds kind of night for all of Queensland’s young guns as they claimed the much- needed win by two points.

It was never going to be an easy introduction to the Origin arena given the series was in the balance and the game was being played in enemy territory.

The pressure was on for the four but they all responded in perfectly fine style.

For forwards Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace, the only negative to their performances was the fact they did not get enough game time.

Playing 19 and 22 minutes respectively, the pair was sensational in defence.

They did not miss a tackle between them and also did what they could in attack, given it was clearly within Queensland’s game plan to use their backs to get the metres.

For speedster Valentine Holmes, he turned a shocking start into a triumph. He wasted no time in getting into the action, taking a hit- up right into the arms of Aaron Woods.

But the force of the tackle knocked the ball loose. Seven minutes later, however, he was flying through the air to score the opening try of the match.

It was a moment of brilliance from the young winger.

And then there was Tim Glasby. He came on in the 22nd minute with every Queenslander behind him after he was unfairly targeted by NSW media in the lead- up.

But only two minutes into his debut, he missed a crucial tackle on James Maloney which led to a Brett Morris try.

Three minutes later, a bad read in defence helped contribute to a Mitchell Pearce fourpointer.