The opening match of the 2026 State of Origin series was played in the cold and wet of Accor Stadium in Sydney’s west with the New South Wales Blues desperate to overcome last year’s series defeat.
And the Blues found gears they never knew they had to overcome a 20-0 deficit to claim a two-point win at home.
Queensland tore the Blues to shreds in the first half before a pure brain explosion from fullback Kalyn Ponga saw the Maroons custodian sent from the field.
It was a highly contentious decision from referee Ashley Klein that had Queensland legends exploding.
But it allowed New South Wales to make hay, with two superstars of the game instrumental in the huge comeback.
The Daily Mail’s Josh Alston ran the rule over the players from both sides, with rankings for all the stars – and those who failed to fire.
New South Wales
1. James Tedesco – 8.5
Tedesco had a mixed night after earning a recall to the Origin arena, with Dylan Edwards breathing down his neck to take his spot again
The evergreen Roosters fullback resurrected his Origin career through some of the best club form of his career this season, holding out Penrith’s Dylan Edwards. Copped an accidental shoulder from Queensland’s Reuben Cotter in the opening 10 minutes. Struggled to read the kicking game of the Queensland halves. Reliable under the high ball and nearly got off the chain a number of times, but his defensive reads were a concern. And then the moment came, the game on the line, a Nathan Cleary bomb and he ripped it from the Hammer’s grasp for the match-winner. It is those sort of clutch moments that Tedesco was picked for.
2. Brian To’o – 6
The dropsies is apparently contagious, because the Penrith star is normally safe as houses but bobbled it to surrender another two points to Queensland. Three uncharacteristic errors in the ruck put his side under huge pressure. Found his composure in the second half but was unable to add to his impressive Origin tally of tries.
3. Stephen Crichton – 6
It was a bit of a rocks and diamonds match for Crichton, but his level of effort was unquestioned
Has been out of touch in a Bulldogs side that has tumbled down the NRL ladder, but held onto his place largely because Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic were not available. A bit too much enthusiasm and surrendered an early error. You could really tell he is feeling the pressure, there was so much effort but so much chaos. Will need to find more composure when he goes back to clubland.
4. Kotoni Staggs – 7
Had precious little opportunity to attack with Queensland enjoying the lion’s share of possession. When the two teams came back out of the sheds in the second half, he was determined to imprint himself on the match with a series of willing tackles and runs. We didn’t see his best in this match, but extra points for sheer effort.
5. Tolutau Koula – 7.5
Saved a certain try in the second half, latching onto a rampaging Robert Toia who looked certain to score. Was brilliant under the high ball and was away down the left sideline in the second half before Ponga took him out illegally. He was bloodied and forced off the field for a HIA. Failed the test and was unable to return.
18. Ethan Strange – 7.5
Canberra half Ethan Strange sparkled on debut and could be a long-term solution for the Blues
Nathan Cleary had the ball on a string in the dying stages to come up clutch and seal the great NSW comeback
Granted an Origin debut after Mitch Moses went down with a hamstring complaint just days out from the opening match. Came up with a bone-rattling tackle to save a try, but with the Blues trailing by 20, he kept the celebrations on ice. He let all the emotions out, though, when he scored a vital try to keep his side in the match after the Ponga send off – until the bunker took it off him. Finally got his joy when Crichton put the young Raiders half over. Almost bungled it with a late penalty for passing off the ground, but fortunately for the Blues, it didn’t turn out to be costly.
7. Nathan Cleary – 9
For everything he has done in the game so far, Origin glory has so far eluded the Penrith playmaker. Had bugger all opportunities in attack for most of the first half an hour, but when presented a chance, kicked through for Hudson Young to peg one back. Was given almost no chance to put his stamp on the match with NSW perpetually pegged in their own half. Came up with a big-time play with a 40/20 and the game on the line – so it was fitting he scored the try that helped bring the Blues back to within four points. Then he put up the bomb for the match-winning try, and iced the result with ensuing conversion. The moment Cleary finally arrived at Origin level.
8. Addin Fonua-Blake – 4
After 17 appearances for Tonga and one for the Kiwis, the new rules allowed for arguably the greatest prop in the game outside of the injured Payne Haas to make his Origin debut. But he had just a single run for 10 metres in his opening stint before hitting the bench. Came out for a second stint, but it wasn’t the grand Origin debut many had hoped for.
9. Reece Robson – 9
Held off a challenge from the rising Blayke Brailey to retain the starting rake role. Mopped up plenty of tough stuff before having the poise to kick through a pinpoint kick – which Cam Murray was unable to ground. Was Mr Reliable once again and hard to fault. Brailey will have to wait.
10. Mitch Barnett – 4
Worst possible start with a knock-on with his first touch to immediately put the Blues under pressure. Made 22 tackles, but rarely went looking for the ball as his forwards were fatigued by the Queensland wall of defence. The Warriors prop will need to produce more to hang onto his spot, especially with Payne Haas to return.
11. Hudson Young – 6
Had three missed tackles in the opening 20 minutes as the Maroons tore the Blues to shreds. But when the momentum swung, he was able to latch onto a Cleary kick to keep the Blues hanging in the match.
12. Haumole Olakau’atu – 6
It was a mixed bag for the barnstorming Manly forward who threw everything he had into the match
While Kieran Foran has been reaping in the credit, the Manly second-rower has been a driving force of ‘Fozball’ and was one of the first picked in this Blues team. Showed up with plenty of energy which produced some damaging runs, but also a costly second-half error. Was completely gassed with 25 minutes left in the match. Butchered an absolute dolly with Queensland’s line shot to bits – and that was the end of his night. More composure required.
13. Isaah Yeo – 8
With his side under the pump for most of the match, the Penrith star was exceptional with 33 tackles and no misses, before he was benched with nothing left in the tank. It was fancy or fashionable, but the typical rugged stuff you have come to expect from the international star.
Interchange:
14. Cameron Murray – 5.5
Squandered a golden chance to score a try and surrendered a penalty for hands in the back of Kurt Capewell to add insult to injury. Blew NSW’s only challenge when he was caught with the ball in his hands on the last, unsuccessfully arguing that Munster got him high. Was not at his best, but was willing and tough.
15. Victor Radley – 6.5
Big things were expected from ‘Victor the Inflictor’ on his belated Origin debut, a beneficiary of the new eligibility rules after previously playing for England. He came on with plenty of enthusiasm, but also three missed tackles as the NSW defence continued to fall apart. Pulled it together and rattled Harry Grant with a textbook ‘Inflictor’ hit.
16. Jacob Saifiti – N/A
DNP
17. Blayke Brailey – 5
Came on late and came up with 14 vital tackles. Didn’t get to break the game open like he would have hoped as the Queensland line was left tattered and scattered.
19. Casey McLean
Made his Origin debut with 23 minutes left on the clock after Koula was struck high by Ponga and taken from the field. Had an immediate impact with a spectacular catch in his first touch of Origin footy. Laid the platform for a Stephen Crichton bust that let to Strange’s try.
21. Matt Burton – N/A
Came into the match late after only being called into the squad on Monday. Did not have enough time on the field to warrant a ranking.
Reserve:
20. Dylan Lucas – N/A
DNP
Queensland Maroons
1. Kalyn Ponga – 2
Ponga and Koula had a head clash which led to the Blues winger being barrelled into touch
Referee Ashley Klein ruled that Ponga had used his shoulder in direct contact to the head and sent him for an early shower
Was in the thick of it early and nearly put the Hammer away on the left edge. Dangerous in attack and reliable under the high ball – until he spilled one to give NSW a chance. Sparked chaos in the second half when he shoulder charged Koula over the sideline and sent off for his trouble – with 23 minutes still left on the clock. It took one moment for Ponga to go from hero to zero for his state, regardless of the contentious nature of the call.
2. Selwyn Cobbo – 7.5
NSW elected to bomb his wing early, sending Olakau’atu screaming at the Dolphins winger, but he was more than up for the challenge. Was almost perfect for much of the match, completing all of the 1 per cent plays, was a defensive wall and safe as houses under the high ball. Could only scramble along with the rest of the Queensland backline after the Ponga send off.
3. Robert Toia – 8
The Sydney Roosters centre was one of Queensland’s best until it all unravelled for the Maroons
Plucked from obscurity to debut in 2025, Toia came into this series with experience and poise – scoring the opening try for the Maroons. Three tackle breaks and almost crossed for another try, only stopped by a desperate Koula tackle. Willing in defence in the frantic dying minutes, only of Queensland’s best.
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 6
It’s hard to believe, but the Hammer is fourth on the all-time Origin try-scorers list – and he is only 24. Made it look easy when he latched onto a Munster grubber and was a constant threat. Shifted to fullback when Ponga was sent off, but had almost no opportunities with the ball in hand after that. Could not take the catch that mattered as Tedesco plucked it from his grasp.
5. Jojo Fifita – 5
A bit of a surprise selection, but held off Murray Taulagi who could not return from concussion protocols fast enough to impress the Maroons coach. Had his moments, but coughed the ball up on his own tryline in the most crucial of moments. Origin can be cruel, but those are the moments that can make or break a player.
6. Cameron Munster – 5
Held onto his position despite the Melbourne Storm’s stunning fall from grace, and needed to reward Billy Slater for his loyalty. Bobbed around like a jackrabbit as usual, but his erratic and hard to read play didn’t result in the big play it has in the past.
7. Sam Walker – 8
Sam Walker was brilliant on debut for the Maroons and would have been man-of-the-match if Queensland held on
The big Queensland forward has had to wait a long time to return to the Origin arena, but was rewarded with a first-half try
Huge boots to fill for the Sydney Roosters young gun to fill after Tom Dearden went down injured earlier this year. Was largely picked off the strength of his short kicking game and showed why, laying it on for Roosters teammate Rob Toia for the opening try of the match. Showed why he has been annointed as a longterm Queensland half and was devastated by the end result.
8. Tom Flegler – 7
Broke down in tears when Billy Slater told him he had been picked, after a shocking run of injuries. 1071 days since his last Origin appearance, he was the toast of Queensland when he charged over under the sticks to put the Maroons ahead by 12. Fatigued from the sheer pace of the game and fell away from the match, but the best is yet to come from the Dolphins star.
9. Harry Grant – 6
Almost rattled up 50 tackles, but had six misses as fatigue set in. Only gave away a single penalty but it was a brutally costly one, as the Blues dominated possession in the dying minutes. Let his frustrations be known to referee Ashley Klein. Worked tirelessly, but also had moments he would rather take back.
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 8
There won’t be many highlights of big Tino from Origin I, but he got through the sort of work Billy Slater has deployed him to do. Shrugged off the Gold Coast Titans poor start to the NRL season to get 115 metres and 26 tackles with just a single miss.
11. Reuben Cotter – 6.5
Strangely, the only North Queensland Cowboys player picked for Origin I despite their run of recent form. Never lets his state down and was rugged and reliable as always once again. Four missed tackles as the game opened up were a concern, though.
12. Kurt Capewell – 6.5
Saved a try in a mad scramble for the ball with Cameron Murray. Left bloodied in a head clash with teammate Lindsay Collins late in the first half. Forced into the centres with Ponga off the field and scrambled as hard as his aching lungs would allow. Did not disgrace himself and earned his recall.
13. Max Plath – 8
Showed he has all of the tough stuff required to be an Origin warriors. A staggering 43 tackles and some incisive runs showed why Billy Slater entrusted him at lock. Looked like he had been playing Origin for years.
Interchange:
14. Briton Nikora – 5
Another defensive warrior for Queensland, his 30 tackles helping blunt NSW as the Maroons raced out to a 20-0 lead. However was largely ineffective with ball in hand. Will need more punch in the rest of the series.
15. Lindsay Collins – 5
Was a huge part of the Maroons mountain of defence when he came into the fray but could have offered more with the ball in hand. Crunched heads with teammate Kurt Capewell which may have hindered his impact.
16. Patrick Carrigan – 8.5
Interesting choice by coach Billy Slater to bench the Broncos’ star, given his recent run of incredible form in this arena. Powered through 127 gut-busting metres in his 48 metres on field and made 33 tackles. Will be pushing for a starting spot in Origin II.
17. Trent Loiero – 6.5
Only got 15 minutes on the field, but ran the ball hard, made his tackles and didn’t commit any errors. Did his job off the bench.
18. Ezra Mam – N/A
DNP
19. Gehamat Shibasaki – N/A
DNP
Reserve:
20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki – N/A
DNP
