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NSW Blues stage epic comeback to win State of Origin Game 1 22-20 over Queensland Maroons

1 hours ago4 articles from 3 sources

Consensus Summary

New South Wales staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Queensland 22-20 in the opening game of the 2026 State of Origin series at Accor Stadium in Sydney on May 27. After falling 20-0 down early, the Blues rallied behind key performances from Nathan Cleary, who scored a try and kicked three goals, and debutant Ethan Strange, who scored a try and provided crucial assists. James Tedesco sealed the victory with a match-winning try in the final minute. The turning point came when Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a high tackle with 23 minutes remaining, leaving Queensland with 12 players. Queensland’s early dominance was built on tries from Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and Tom Flegler, with Sam Walker contributing two tries and four goals. The game was played in wet and slippery conditions, adding to the drama. NSW’s victory marked their first Origin win since Game 3 of 2023 and snapped a losing streak in Sydney. The win set up a fierce battle for the series, with Queensland left reeling but dangerous when badly wounded.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • New South Wales defeated Queensland 22-20 in State of Origin Game 1 at Accor Stadium, Sydney, on 2026-05-27
  • James Tedesco scored the match-winning try in the final minute of the game
  • Queensland led 20-0 at one stage before NSW staged a comeback
  • Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a high tackle on Tolu Koula with 23 minutes remaining (22 minutes per ABC)
  • Nathan Cleary scored a crucial try and kicked three goals, including a 40-20 in the second half, to help NSW win
  • Ethan Strange made his NSW Origin debut and scored a try, with another disallowed, and provided key assists
  • Mitchell Moses was ruled out due to a hamstring strain, leading to Ethan Strange’s selection
  • The game was played in wet and slippery conditions at Accor Stadium, Sydney
  • Sam Walker scored the first try of the game for Queensland, assisted by Robert Toia
  • Billy Slater coached Queensland, while Laurie Daley coached NSW
  • The attendance was 79,186 fans at Accor Stadium
  • James Tedesco was 33 years old, making him the oldest player in the series
  • Ethan Strange is 21 years old and made his Origin debut on short notice
  • Hudson Young was the standout in the NSW starting pack, scoring a try and making strong defensive plays
  • Kotoni Staggs was the busiest defender in the NSW back five and lifted in attack in the second half
  • Robert Toia scored Queensland’s opening try of the series
  • Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored his 12th Origin try in only 11 games
  • Sam Walker laid on the opening two tries and kicked four goals from four attempts for Queensland
  • The game was the 13th consecutive Origin match officiated by Ashley Klein

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

Sydney Morning Herald
  • James Tedesco rated 6.5/10 for his performance, despite a sloppy pass and two errors in the first half
  • Brian To’o made three uncharacteristic errors in his own half, gifting Queensland try-scoring chances
  • Stephen Crichton made two unforced errors, the first leading to Queensland’s opening try, but redeemed himself with a big second-half break
  • Tolutau Koula made a good fist of playing on the wing at NRL level, producing a try-saving tackle and a key line-break
  • Kalyn Ponga rated 7/10 despite his send-off, throwing a great pass to Cobbo and being outstanding under the high ball
  • Selywn Cobbo rated 7.5/10, carrying the Steeden back from kicks with purpose and making the break for Queensland’s second try
  • Cameron Munster rated 7.5/10, laying on the third try but making the Maroons’ first handling error
  • Isaah Yeo led the tackle and hit-up count in the first half for NSW
  • Victor Radley came on for his Origin debut after 25 minutes and injected energy, thumping Harry Grant with a highlight tackle
  • Casey McLean excelled on the left wing after replacing Tolu Koula, producing a great leap and counterattack from a bomb
  • Mitchell Barnett produced the first error of the game and made limited impact with the ball
  • Haumole Olakau’atu struggled with cramp for most of the second half and dropped a tough pass with the tryline begging
  • Jojo Fifita didn’t quite have his mojo working on debut with limited involvement, especially in the first half
  • Briton Nikora and Lindsay Collins were rated 5/10, with Nikora conceding an escort penalty in the second half
  • Trent Loiero played only 15 minutes and had few opportunities to stand out, rated 4/10
  • Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki were unused substitutes
The Guardian
  • The game was described as a 'greasy Origin opener' due to wet and slippery conditions
  • Billy Slater chose Kalyn Ponga over Reece Walsh, citing Ponga’s experience as a former fullback
  • Billy Slater’s Queensland side had no Broncos players in the starting 13 despite the Broncos winning the 2025 NRL grand final
  • Laurie Daley made 12 changes from his previous line-up and selected six debutants, including Ethan Strange, Victor Radley, and Casey McLean
  • James Tedesco was described as looking like a 'recalcitrant student at an expensive North Shore private school' in his blazer
  • The article included a humorous anecdote about a Welsh rugby league fan named Andy Wilson on a train in England
  • The article noted that NSW had not won in Origin since Game 3 of 2023 and had lost three of their last four games in Sydney
  • The article highlighted the absence of key players like Coates, Trbojevic, Nawaqanitawase, Wighton, Best, Moses, Dearden, Martin, Haas, Cherry-Evans, Holmes, Gagai, Papali’i, and Lomax
  • The article mentioned that Queensland’s backline relied on the instincts of Kalyn Ponga and Sam Walker, with the pack driven by Thomas Flegler and Max Plath
  • Billy Slater’s bench included Ezra Mam as the only wildcard option
  • The article described the game as a 'classic' and the kind the sport was 'crying out for'
  • The article included a quote from Harry Grant about the new halves pairing with Sam Walker: 'It’s been enjoyable to build that combination. Really talented players individually and hopefully both those boys can bring that creativity tonight.'
  • The article noted that Queensland entered the series as both defending champions and underdogs, despite a depleted squad and leaders out of form
  • The article mentioned that NSW looked 'awesome on paper' but had doubts over their ability to get over the line when it matters most
  • The article described Laurie Daley’s Origin coaching record as just seven wins from 18 matches
ABC News
  • Ethan Strange slammed the ball into his own forehead after scoring a try, a habit he has after scoring big tries for the Raiders
  • The article described Strange as 'too young ever to be afraid' and 'plays like a hell-diver'
  • The article described James Tedesco as having 'the hallmark of his magnificent Origin career: he never stops moving and never stops going'
  • The article noted that Tedesco’s kick chase on Cleary’s bombs had drawn two penalties and forced several errors from the Maroons back three
  • The article described the comeback as 'the greatest in Origin history' and 'the stuff of Origin legend'
  • The article mentioned that Queensland were 'in the kind of hurt that you only hear about in sad country songs' after the loss
  • The article highlighted that Queensland would feel like they 'would have gotten home handily' were it not for Ponga’s send-off
  • The article described the game as 'a classic, the kind the game was crying out for'
  • The article mentioned that Strange wasn’t perfect but 'nobody ever entered folklore by painting all the way inside the lines'
  • The article described Tedesco’s superpower as 'harness his energy, distil his desire into fuel for the rest of us, and you'll solve the energy crisis'
  • The article noted that the NSW team had 'something to target in the depleted Queenslanders' after Ponga’s send-off, bringing out the killer in them

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • The SMH and Guardian state Kalyn Ponga was sent off with 23 minutes remaining, but the ABC states he was sent off with 22 minutes remaining
  • The SMH and Guardian describe Queensland’s first try as scored by Robert Toia, while the SMH also credits Sam Walker with laying it on, but the Guardian emphasizes Walker’s role in setting up the try
  • The SMH rates Brian To’o’s performance as 5/10 due to three uncharacteristic errors, while the ABC does not mention a rating but highlights his errors as contributing to Queensland’s early advantage
  • The Guardian describes the game as starting with NSW making two errors coming out of defence, while the SMH attributes Queensland’s early tries to To’o’s errors and Crichton’s unforced mistakes
  • The SMH and Guardian both mention that Queensland’s backline relied on Kalyn Ponga and Sam Walker, but the Guardian emphasizes the lack of Broncos players in the starting 13, while the SMH does not mention this

Source Articles

SMH

State of Origin player ratings: How the Blues and Maroons fared in Game One

How we rated the performances of every player from the 2026 State of Origin series opener in Sydney.

2 hours ago
GUARDIAN

State of Origin 2026 men’s Game 1 live: NSW Blues v Qld Maroons – latest updates

Updates from the series opener at Accor Stadium Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Harry Grant was asked about his side’s new halves pairing, and the influence of Sam Walker on the team. “It’s been enjoyable to build that combination,” he said. “Really talented players individually and hopefully both those boys can bring that creativity tonight.” With Grant, Cameron Munster, and Kalyn Ponga in the 13, Sam Walker won’t be asked to shoulder too much of the burden on debut, which should affor

12 hours ago
GUARDIAN

State of Origin 2026 Game 1: NSW Blues conjure comeback for the ages to snatch series opener from Qld Maroons

Blues defeat Maroons 22-20 in 2026 men’s series opener Nathan Cleary and James Tedesco seal victory in final minute New South Wales have conjured one of the greatest State of Origin comebacks, fighting back from 20-0 down to snatch a 22-20 victory with a minute on the clock. Nathan Cleary was the hero for the home side, scoring a crucial try and kicking three clutch goals to put the Blues one-nil up in their quest to win back the Origin Shield. Despite claiming underdog status, Billy Slater’s Qu

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ABC

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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.

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