Game preview
A lot can change in less than a year. The NSW starting thirteen from game three last year included eight players that aren't in their whole squad for game one this year. One of the remaining five (Crichton) has an injury cloud hanging over him. But the changes don't end there. On their extended bench of six players, not one of them played in game three last year. For the Queenslanders, four players from that game three starting thirteen have missed out (although two of those would be here if they were available). So a slightly more settled line-up. The most important factor on Wednesday night is the venue - traditionally a difficult place for Qld to eke out a win but, incredibly, they've won the last four games in Sydney when the Sydney game was the first game of the series. And there may be another factor too, and that's Jai Arrow. It's difficult to know how the Qld team will respond to his presence, but it wouldn't surprise me if they have an all-out blinder. While Origin is important it's just a game (three games), the Arrow situation puts things in perspective a little. For what it's worth, my condolences to Jai and his family, friends and team-mates. Awful news. A lot can change in less than a year.
Verdict - Qld 22 to defeat NSW 18
Predicted first try scorer - Hudson Young
Predicted player of the match - Kalyn Ponga
Registered tipsters are welcome to participate in our State of Origin tipping competition again this year. First prize is $50 cash. You can check out how it all works here.
Game details
Date: Wednesday 27th May 2026
Time: 8.05pm kick-off
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team list - New South Wales Blues*
- James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
- Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
- Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
- Tolotau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
- Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
- Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
- Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
- Mitchell Barnett (New Zealand Warriors)
- Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
- Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
- Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
- Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
- Blayke Brailey (Cronulla Sharks)
- Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
Team list - Queensland Maroons*
- Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
- Selwyn Cobbo (Redcliffe Dolphins)
- Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Redcliffe Dolphins)
- Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
- Cameron Munster (c) (Melbourne Storm)
- Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)
- Thomas Flegler (Redcliffe Dolphins)
- Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
- Tino Fa'asumaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
- Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Kurt Capewell (New Zealand Warriors)
- Max Plath (Redcliffe Dolphins)
- Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks)
- Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
- Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
- Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)
- Ezra Mam (Brisbane Broncos)
-
Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)
*Team lists are subject to change and will be updated as soon as possible.
Comments
Submitted by Esra Star on
Big Tino needs to have a big game,but i some how feel he doesn't handle the big game pressure.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Mitch Moses may be a late withdrawal - Matt Burton called into the NSW squad as cover.
Submitted by Esra Star on
He had a big game on the weekend.
Submitted by Esra Star on
Moses ruled out of game one. Hammie.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Moses officially out
Strange to start in the halves on Wednesday night
Submitted by Esra Star on
Well,that was bullshit. At least 4 or 5 times a weekend a player would have been binned for 10 minutes for a tackle 5 time worse than the one Ponga was sent off.
And then the NSW commentators are going on about it being one of the greatest come backs in Origin history,,,,,,against 12 men!!
How to ruin a great game(again) thanks to the bunker.
Submitted by Mary S on
This will sound like sour grapes to many, but I certainly feel QLD played a much better game, with NSW only able to get 3 tries after QLD had to play with a man short!!!
Oh well, that's Origin I suppose!
Cheers,
Mary
Submitted by Esra Star on
Not sour grapes at all,Mary. It was one of the worst refereeing decisions i have seen in Origin.
As i mentioned above,,,sin bins are giver multiple times on a weekend for far worse than that tackle.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
I now officially need to seek out a therapist to help me get through any game this bloke is referring.
Submitted by The Thinker on
My summary as I shake a few thoughts out of my fuzzy brain - terrific effort from Qld to nearly win that. NSW were actually quite poor for much of the game up until the send-off. Then they lifted, but its easy to lift when you're running downhill with an extra player on the park. Still, NSW found a way, so I'll give them credit for that.
It was tough for Capewell defending out in the centres, and I hope people don't give him a hard time. He played the full 80 minutes, and for the first 57 did more of the difficult work than most - 13 hit-ups, cracked the ton in total metres, spilled a litre of blood out there. Then he plays out of position against opponents that are faster and more agile than he is. Capewell made 37 tackles. Crichton made 3. I thought he was brave. Qld almost did enough...just fell short.
Looking forward to game two.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by rickstar4life on
I didn't see this side series late to the party but thought id still share what I would have tipped:
I would have tipped QLD to win - no point putting my points as it's already over and done with and won't count anyway.
Try scorer - Brian To'o
Player of the match - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
None of the above right, lol!
Submitted by tigerholic on
Evening All
Ash Klein actually went against the bunker, and he alone wanted to send ponga off and he did.
I note that Queensland supported seem to forget really quickly when NSW lost Suali in the first 15 mins 2 years ago due to a send off.
QLKD only won that as they were against 12 men.
NSW were not the better team last night but managed to do enough.
Klein will probably get the next Origin as well so we all might as well get ready for his way of officiating.
Lastly, can someone do a welfare check on my old mate Rocket Ryan, I've been reminding him all day with bits and pieces from last nights game but he hasn't responded.
Go you NSW ladies tonight.
Tiger
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
🖕Tigerholic and all cockaroachs.
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