The opening game of the 2026 State of Origin series is here, with the NSW Blues to take on the QLD Maroons at Accor Stadium.
Both teams lobbed up a number of eyebrow-raising selections, with Billy
Slater's Maroons looking to retain the shield they won last year.
The Blues, on the other hand, will be out to make up for what was a disastrous 2025 campaign, with Laurie Daley's coaching future very likely on the line.
A nearly sold out Olympic Stadium in Sydney is the scene for the start of that charge, but with questions over how the game will be officiated, and which team's surprise selections will stand up, it's sure to be an intriguing night ahead.
Kick-off in Sydney is set for 8:05pm (AEST), but Zero Tackle will be live from 6:30pm (AEST) with all the commentary, updates and news from Origin 1.
This page will update automatically every two minutes.
Click here to access detailed live scores and statistics, or scroll on for our commentary
53' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Blues are unable to escape their own end again here with Queensland attacking through their defence. Hudson Young takes 5 inside the 30 and Cleary takes them on running this time. He finds Murray who is surely caught high. No whistle from Klein and the Blues will challenge.
Turns out it was a great decision from Klein. Munster hit Murray on the shoulder.
Blues bomb their challenge and Queensland have a full set from 30 out.
52' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Maroons push up inside 30 by the end of this set and Munster kicks high for the corner. To'o has had a very unhappy night, but does a geat job under pressure here.
51' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Blues going nowhere fast. Cleary has to kick from inside his own 30. It's got plenty of depth to it and Fifita brings it back to within ten of halfway.
50' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
Queensland were weighing up taking another stab at penalty goal, but decide against it. They will instead push for six, but a try-saver at the end of the set from Koula after Ponga almost put Nikora through saves the day.
49' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
Blayke Brailey into the game for the Blues. Had to happen. The Blues need a spark from somewhere, anywhere, really. Fonua-Blake also coming back into the game.
Queensland, meanwhile, get to about 30 out, a bomb goes up and Plath grabs it but is taken immediately. Queensland challenging - they want to review the contact on Plath as to whether it was high.
The contact from Hudson Young is indeed high. Hits Plath on the nose.
48' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
So, Queensland tackle the first just 20 out after the error. Capewell and Carrigan shift it to the middle by halfway through the count just five out, before Toia grubbers early and the Blues come up with it. That wasn't it.
48' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
So Queensland still up 14 points, and the Blues drop it again coming out of trouble. The number of errors is frankly ridiculous.
47' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Maroons back to halfway on the third tackle, then Ponga digs into the line on the left but is stopped by the scramble. Munster has a crack on the left before Walker goes high. Tedesco takes it well under pressure about ten out from his own line.
46' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Blues get it back to about ten shy of halfway before Cleary drives a kick long and low down to Ponga who dangerously brings it back and finds Cobbo, but he is stopped about ten shy of halfway.
45' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
Queensland get it back off a short drop out, then Walker kicks early from inside his own 40 on the third, with To'o to bring it back almost off his own line.
45' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
Radley goes inside the 30, then the Blues shuffle to the right with Olakau'atu digging into the line about 20 out. Tedesco grubbers early and forces a repeat set.
44' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Blues get away with it. Queensland drop it almost immediately off the scrum. New South Wales to go on the attack here.
43' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Blues bringing it away through their backs, then Murray to Tedesco on the short side and he is up to almost halfway. Olakau'atu the next, but he drops it just over halfway. That's terrible. The Blues aren't club standard tonight, let alone Origin standard.
42' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
Queensland back towards halftime, then over it through Collins, with Munster kicking high on the last. To'o takes it after spinning a circle on the spot.
41' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
A good first set after halftime for the Blues. They will need to be near on perfect to get back into this game. The kick goes down to the corner and it's a completion to start.
40' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
Teams are on their way back for the second stanza at Homebush. Queensland to kick-off.
HALFTIME - NSW 6 - QLD 20
So, not too much to report out of the final minutes. Queensland make an error out of their own end in the final minute, and Nathan Cleary has a stab at a two-point field goal on the bell, but it's no good.
Queensland miles in front at the break, and with good reason. They have been excellent. The Blues, not so much.
The full halftime report is here.
Back in 15!
36' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
This will go down as an error for NSW. They rolled a kick in behind from close range, and Murray went through to try and score, but bobbles in the in goal. Queensland will survive with the bunker then ruling Murray has taken Capewell out too - so a penalty for the Maroons.
34' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Maroons now do make a mistake coming out of trouble, and another big chance ahead for the Blues.
33' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Blues attacking through their defence now. Queensland have a ball to ground and the Maroons only get to about ten shy of halfway, but a great long kick from Walker means Tedesco has to bring it back off his own line.
32' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
A bit of a grind breaking out here as the Blues get over halfway, a bomb goes up and Ponga makes a fantastic grab.
31' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Maroons with another strong set, and Tedesco does a great job taking the kick and bringing it back.
30' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
The Blues need to keep completing their sets here. That is the key for the moment. Cleary kicks long from ten shy of halfway this time, with Cobbo bringing it back strongly.
29' - NSW 6 - QLD 20
Both sides complete sets after points, but Queensland on top of the territory battle, with Tedesco trapped down there in the corner.
28' - NSW 6 - QLD 20 - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL, NATHAN CLEARY
Cleary converts.
27' - NSW 4 - QLD 20 - TRY NSW, HUDSON YOUNG
The Blues simply had to score, and over they go. They went right, then back to the left. The defence rushed Cleary, he rolls it in behind and Hudson Young is there to dot down for the first Blues points.
25' - NSW 0 - QLD 20
And a six-again for the Blues as they get out of their own 20. They need something, and they need it fast do the Blues. They get to halfway, then Strange and Young go back-to-back with some tough carries. 30 out on the last, Cleary kicks high, Tedesco looks to be taken out in the chase and it will be a penalty.
Blues with a big chance here.
24' - NSW 0 - QLD 20
The Maroons finally make a mistake as they attack yet again. Huge tackle from Strange.
Victor Radley about to come into the game.
23' - NSW 0 - QLD 20
The Blues need to complete a set. It's an absolute must, but they drop it again. Brian To'o is living an absolute nightmare here. He drops it again.
22' - NSW 0 - QLD 20
The Maroons trucking it out of their own end again with relative ease here. Grant kicks early from inside 40 and Koula will bring it back.
21' - NSW 0 - QLD 20 - PENALTY GOAL QUEENSLAND, SAM WALKER
This is diabolical for the Blues. Sam Walker slots it and it's more than three tries in the game.
20' - NSW 0 - QLD 18
So, yet another strong set after points from the Maroons, and the Blues, struggling to bring it out of trouble, look to have lost it. They do. To'o drops it in the tackle, the Blues give away an offside penalty and the Maroons will take a shot at an easy penalty goal.
18' - NSW 0 - QLD 18 - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL, SAM WALKER
Queensland matching the clock as Walker slots another.
17' - NSW 0 - QLD 16 - TRY QUEENSLAND, HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW
The Blues are putting in an absolute stinker here. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in! To'o spills the bomb, Munster rolls it in behind and Tabuai-Fidow scores. The Blues are absolutely disgusting.
16' - NSW 0 - QLD 12
It gets worse for the Blues. A good set after points for the Maroons, and then To'o drops it off the kick.
15' - NSW 0 - QLD 12 - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL, SAM WALKER
Walker makes no mistake from in front.
14' - NSW 0 - QLD 10 - TRY QUEENSLAND, THOMAS FLEGLER
Now the Maroons through the middle. Munster with an offload to Grant, but he is shut down. Right they go to Ponga who is tackled by Crichton, then Cotter almost goes over. Grant out of dummy half on the last, a silly offload and Flegler! Thomas Flegler is over under the posts untouched.
The Blues have had an absolutely dreadful start.
13' - NSW 0 - QLD 6
The Blues need a big set, and probably as importantly, a complete one here. The Maroons are great in defence though, right up until Olakau'atu and Fonua-Blake go big to halfway. Cleary kicks high, and Ponga takes it comfortably, running it back outside the 20 before passing to Cobbo. That is a diabolical kick chase, with Cobbo then finding Tabuai-Fidow who runs to within 30.
12' - NSW 0 - QLD 6
Hardly ideal for the Blues here as they now give away a set restart coming out of trouble. That allows Queensland to get into a vry good spot by the end of this set over halfway, with a good kick chase stopping Tedesco from going too far in his return.
11' - NSW 0 - QLD 6 - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL, SAM WALKER
Walker steps up to the plate for Queensland with the kicking tee and sends the first over the black dot. Conservative start for the Maroons, but Blues errors means they have the lead. Not great signs for the home side.
10' - NSW 0 - QLD 4 - TRY QUEENSLAND, ROBERT TOIA
The Maroons strike first, making the Blues pay for the error. They get up to about ten out, go left, Walker drops into the line, rolls it in behind and Robert Toia is first to the ball to score.
9' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
The Blues look to shuffle left out of their own end, but Crichton drops it in the play the ball. Blues weighing up a challenge, but none coming.
Twice now the Blues have dropped it coming out of their own end, but Tedesco being hit high without a call will be a moment.
8' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
The Maroons now with their first real shuffle out of their own end, with Ponga involved, but being shut down just beyond halfway. Long kick on the last and it's Tedesco to bring it back off his own line.
Looked to be a high shot from Flegler in the chase, but no call from Ashley Klein.
7' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
The Blues get this set up to about 35 out, with Cleary kicking high. Good chase led by Staggs, but Cobbo jumps over the pack to take it beautifully.
7' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
Another strong set for Queensland. They kick long on the last and this is settling into a conservative start as the rain falls. No infringements yet.
6' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
The Blues struggling for metres early in this set, but a great run from To'o picks up about 15 metres, before Robson runs over halfway. Cleary kicks high, and Olakau'atu again chases through to smash Cobbo.
5' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
And a really good set for Queensland now. They rip up beyond halfway, with a kick going down for Tedesco to bring it back off his own line.
4' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
The Blues complete their first set then, with the forwards involved before a high kick goes in from halfway. Olakau'atu follows it like a locked in missile and smashes Cobbo.
3' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
The Maroons will work onto the attack here. Inside 20 on the fourth play, then they go left and scramble defence has to shut down Ponga. Munster kicks crossfield, Queensland pick it up through Toia and Fifita, but the Blues scramble and shut down the play as the rain falls.
2' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
Horror start for the Blues. Mitch Barnett drops it in his own half and Queensland will have a look at going on the attack. Might have been a hand on the footy from Capewell, but no challenge.
1' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
Away we go. Cameron Munster does the work on the first carry of the match, then it's away through the forwards with Flegler and Fa'asuamaleaui ripping in. Max Plath has the next, and a solid first set for Queensland with Fa'asuamaleaui a second run. Munster kicks from his own 40, picks out Tedesco and he brings it back into a good kick chase.
0' - NSW 0 - QLD 0
Blues to kick-off.
8:07pm (AEST)
Well that sure was an interesting take on the national anthem.
Anyway, game time in Sydney!
8:03pm (AEST)
It has just started raining, albeit fairly lightly.
Isaah Yeo leads the Blues out.
Welcome to country, national anthem, and then it will be go time in Sydney!
8:02pm (AEST)
Phil Gould claiming the Blues have had the "most physical warm up" he has ever seen.
Queensland making their way out, led by Cameron Munster. A chorus of boos meets them into the middle of the Olympic Stadium.
8:01pm (AEST)
As predicted, the teams are running a touch late. Kick-off will be after 8:05pm.
7:55pm (AEST)
The crowd have turned up in numbers at Homebush as we get ready for the opener. Rain holding off for now.
7:40pm (AEST)
The crowd is building at Homebush. Magdalena Murdoch is on the scene for Zero Tackle and apparently, there is little in the way of pre-game entertainment at this stage.
Teams expected on the field in about 20 minutes.
7:25pm (AEST)
If you want to check out my full prediction for the game, you can head over on over here.
Crystal ball predictions are also available here.
7:05pm (AEST)
Just about an hour out from kick-off, and there has been plenty of chat this week around what the officiating is going to look like tonight, and whether it will be different to that of club land.
The NRL have obviously made comment that the game will look no different, but it will be a big watch tonight.
You feel as if, looking at the team sheets, the Blues will want the game to be as fast as possible, while Queensland may want it a bit slower.
6:55pm (AEST)
It's currently 18 degrees at Homebush with a chance rain is going to interfere at some point. It has been a wet old week leading up to the game in Sydney, although we can count our blessings the game is today and not tomorrow with up to 70mm predicted tomorrow.
6:40pm (AEST)
The final teams are in. No change for either side apart from the Moses injury that was detailed earlier this week. The team will otherwise run out as they were named. You can see them in full by clicking on the match centre above.
6:32pm (AEST)
Final teams are due to be confirmed any minute, and we will have those for you when they do. Obviously, the Blues were already forced into a late change with Mitchell Moses suffering a calf injury. Ethan Strange was named to start, with Matt Burton added to the bench.
We aren't anticipating any other late changes, with 20th men Dylan Lucas and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki both expected to drop out.
6:30pm (AEST)
Good evening and welcome to Zero Tackle's live coverage of the 2026 State of Origin series, with Game 1 to kick-off in just over 90 minutes from Accor Stadium in Sydney.
