New South Wales have produced one of the greatest comebacks in State of Origin history, stunning Queensland 22–20 in a dramatic Game 1 at Accor Stadium. After trailing 20–0 early, the Blues surged back behind a composed Nathan Cleary and an inspired debut from Ethan Strange, setting up a thrilling start to the 2026 series.
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State of Origin Game 1
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile NSW have been heartbroken by countless Queensland comebacks over 45-plus years of Origin, it was the Blues’ turn at Accor Stadium tonight: their 22-20 comeback win passing Queensland’s 22-15 win in 1981 (the Maroons trailing 15-0 after 30 minutes).
It looked like a one-sided game in the first half, with Queensland scoring at a point-a-minute to lead 20-0.
But a tackle from Canberra’s NSW debutant Ethan Strange sparked the Blues. Named on the six-man bench, Strange’s role was debated until Mitchell Moses pulled out, with Strange partnering Nathan Cleary. It solved one problem, with Cleary having no choice but to play the senior role. As we’ve seen countless times for Penrith, Cleary is at his best when he needs to be “the man” and guide his teams to victory, often on the biggest stage possible (his decimation of Brisbane in the final 15 minutes of the 2023 Grand Final a prime example). His performance tonight will go a long way towards silencing the “he can’t produce his best for NSW” critics.
A try to Strange’s Raiders teammate Hudson Young (from a “no look” Cleary short kick) gave the Blues some precious momentum, with Queensland leading 20-6 at half-time.
The Maroons were still ahead by 14 when the turning point came in the 57th minute: Kalyn Ponga sent off for a shoulder charge on Tolutau Koula. This incident will surely dominate discussion on the various rugby league podcasts and panel shows over the coming days.
NSW nearly cashed in immediately when Strange scored his first Origin try – but was denied due to an obstruction – before making the most of another chance in the 62nd minute, supporting a Stephen Crichton break (which Strange set up).
With the Blues running downhill, the 12-man Maroons were barely hanging on: Cleary got NSW within four before – with 90 seconds left – bombing on the last tackle for James Tedesco to out-leap Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and score.
The final piece of drama came when Cleary delayed his seemingly simple conversion to make absolutely certain that he was ready to kick it.
While there were concerns how the current style of NRL football would influence Origin, the game was allowed to flow (with the Six Again count under control), and the contest settled down after Queensland’s first half points blitz. Hopefully this is the benchmark for the rest of the series.
With three weeks until the second game at the MCG, can the Maroons recover and set up a decider at their beloved Suncorp Stadium? After squandering a 1-0 lead in last year’s series, can NSW make sure of it this time?
Embed from Getty ImagesResults
Blues vs Maroons
Full Time: Blues 22 – 20 Maroons
Blues 22 (Tries: Hudson Young 26′; Ethan Strange 62′; Nathan Cleary 71′; James Tedesco 78′. Goals: Nathan Cleary 27′, 72′, 79′)
Maroons 20 (Tries: Robert Toia 9′; Thomas Flegler 13′; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 16′. Goals: Sam Walker 10′, 15′, 18′. Penalty Goals: Sam Walker 20′)
Half-Time Score: Blues 6 – 20 Maroons
Date: State of Origin Game 1 – Wednesday 27th May 2026
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Additional Match Notes
- Sent Off: Maroons – Kalyn Ponga 57′
Blues Team
| Number | Player | Position | Tries | Goals | Penalty Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Tedesco | Fullback | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | Brian To’o | Winger | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Stephen Crichton | Centre | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Kotoni Staggs | Centre | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Tolutau Koula | Winger | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Nathan Cleary | Halfback | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| 8 | Addin Fonua-Blake | Prop | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Reece Robson | Hooker | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Mitchell Barnett | Prop | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Hudson Young | 2nd Row | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 12 | Haumole Olakau’atu | 2nd Row | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Isaah Yeo | Lock | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Cameron Murray | Interchange | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Victor Radley | Interchange | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Ethan Strange | Interchange | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Team Total | 4 | 3 | 0 | 22 |
Maroons Team
| Number | Player | Position | Tries | Goals | Penalty Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalyn Ponga | Fullback | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Selwyn Cobbo | Winger | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Robert Toia | Centre | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Centre | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Jojo Fifita | Winger | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Cameron Munster | Five-Eighth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Sam Walker | Halfback | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 8 | Thomas Flegler | Prop | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | Harry Grant | Hooker | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Tino Fa’asuamaleaui | Prop | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Reuben Cotter | 2nd Row | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Kurt Capewell | 2nd Row | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Max Plath | Lock | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Team Total | 3 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
Match Review Committee Charges
| Player | Team | Incident | Grade | Early Plea | Panel Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalyn Ponga | Queensland | Shoulder Charge on Tolutau Koula | Grade 2 | 23% of match fees | 33% of match fees |
| Harry Grant | Queensland | Careless High Tackle on Ethan Strange | Grade 1 | 7% of match fees | 10% of match fees |
