So, who writes James Tedesco’s State of Origin scripts?

It remains the biggest talking point of the 2026 Origin opener, but Channel 9 commentator Phil Gould was having no part in commenting on Kalyn Ponga’s controversial shot on Tolu Koula, or the send-off that followed it.

When the Blues needed heroes to get on top of the Maroons in State of Origin I, they turned to a debutante and the oldest player on the field.

Kalyn Ponga made a beeline for the coach’s box to apologise to Billy Slater and his Queensland staff after his game-changing send off in the Origin series opener.

The Blues were dead and buried. People wanted Laurie Daley sacked. Fans were questioning whether Nathan Cleary was an Origin player and why James Tedesco was picked over Dylan Edwards.

Laurie Daley did not want to weigh into the controversial Kalyn Ponga send-off as the Blues coach gave an interesting response on Mitchell Moses’ potential return for Game 2.

Maroons great Darren Lockyer says the decision to send off Kalyn Ponga late in State of Origin will be hard to accept for Queenslanders.

The Blues leave it late, the Maroons finish with 12 players, while the bunker draws the ire of players, commentators and spectators alike. Here are five quick hits from State of Origin I.

With only one night to think about this game, Strange made every post a winner. And with one, final magical play, Tedesco justified his selection. Adrian Proszenko

Jai Arrow has arrived at Accor Stadium with the Maroons squad in emotional scenes only days after he revealed his heartbreaking motor neurone disease diagnosis.