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

How we rated the performances of every NSW and Queensland player in the 2026 State of Origin series opener in Sydney, won 22-20 by the Blues in a thriller.

New South Wales

1. James Tedesco

Put an ordinary first half behind him with a sensational catch to score the match-winning try in the final minute. Earlier was caught off guard for two tries from grubber kicks and bombed a try-scoring chance with a sloppy pass. 6.5/10

2. Brian To’o

Led the Blues for run metres but made three uncharacteristic errors in his own half to gift the Maroons try-scoring chances. 5

3. Stephen Crichton

Made two unforced errors coming out of his own end, the first of which led to Queensland’s opening try. Made up for it with a big second-half break to set up Ethan Strange’s try. 6

4. Kotoni Staggs

Didn’t get his hands on the ball until the 25-minute mark but was the busiest defender in the back five and lifted in attack in the second half. 6

5. Tolutau Koula

He’s never played on the wing at NRL level but made a good fist of it with some good yardage carries and great leaps under the high ball. Produced a try-saving tackle and made the line-break that led to Kalyn Ponga’s send-off. 7.5

18. Ethan Strange

A great Origin debut for Mitch Moses’ replacement at five-eighth. Scored a great second-half try and had another denied by the bunker, and flattened Cameron Munster with a huge tackle to produce a turnover. 8.5

7. Nathan Cleary

Had to dominate the kicking with no Moses in the side and did it superbly, putting in a slick no-look grubber for Hudson Young’s try and drilling a 40-20 in the second half. Scored himself the try to get NSW within four points late. 8.5

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

Endured a tough start to his Origin debut, and partly to blame for Queensland finding space down the middle on a few occasions. Had just one run in his brief first stint, but was much more impactful in his second. 5.5

9. Reece Robson

Solid at dummy half and was unlucky to not have a try assist with a neat grubber for Cameron Murray. Subbed off with half an hour left. 6.5

10. Mitchell Barnett

Defended with aggression early on but produced the first error of the game and made limited impact with the ball. 5

11. Hudson Young

Tackled hard, ran hard and chased down Cleary’s grubber for the Blues’ first points. The standout in the starting pack. 8

12. Haumole Olakau’atu

Made an impact in defence, twice cutting down Cobbo after a great kick chase, and made a few tackle busts when given the chance to run. Struggled with cramp for most of the second half then dropped a tough pass with the tryline begging. 5.5

13. Isaah Yeo

The Blues captain led the tackle count and hit-up count in the first half in a typically strong no-frills performance. 7

14. Cameron Murray

Added plenty of spark off the bench and caused Queensland headaches with his offloads. Got to a Reece Robson grubber but knocked on while attempting to score. 8

15. Victor Radley

A surprise selection in the side, Radley came on for his Origin debut after 25 minutes and injected some energy. Thumped Harry Grant with one highlight tackle in the second half. 6.5

16. Jacob Saifiti

Unused. N/A

17. Blayke Brailey

Came on for the final half hour and provided good service out of dummy-half. 6.5

19. Casey McLean

Excelled on the left wing after replacing Tolu Koula following a head knock. Produced a great leap and counterattack from a bomb that led to Ethan Strange’s try. 6

21. Matt Burton

Made a brief cameo in the final few minutes. N/A

Queensland

1.Kalyn Ponga

Threw a great pass to Cobbo that led to the Maroons’ second try and was outstanding under the high ball until sensationally sent off for a high tackle on Toula Koula with 23 minutes remaining. 7/10

2. Selywn Cobbo

Safe under the high ball, carried the Steeden back from kicks with purpose and made the break that put Queensland in position to score their second try. 7.5

3. Robert Toia

Scored the opening try of the series, winning the race to a Sam Walker kick, and did all that was asked of him defensively as well. Knocked on in the second half and kicked when he shouldn’t have near the Blues’ line. 7

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Scored his 12th Origin try in only 11 games and played a leading hand in Tom Flegler’s try as well. 7

5. Jojo Fifita

Jojo didn’t quite have his mojo working on debut with limited involvement, especially in the first half. 5

6. Cameron Munster

Laid on the third try to Tabuai-Fidow with a great kick. Only blemish was making the Maroons’ first handling error and also missed the tackle on Strange before he scored a try that was overturned by the bunker. 7.5

7. Sam Walker

Outstanding start to his Origin career, laying on the opening two tries with a trademark pinpoint short kick before putting over Flegler. Also kicked four goals from four attempts, kicked superbly in general play and defended well. 8.5

8. Thomas Flegler

Played 30 minutes in two stints and scored a try on his return to Origin after missing two seasons with a career-threatening injury. 6.5

9. Harry Grant

Wholehearted 80-minute performance and his dummy-half smarts set up the first two tries. 7

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

A tower of strength up front as always in his 45 minutes of game time. 6

11. Reuben Cotter

Played the entire first half and didn’t put a foot wrong in 57 minutes in total. 7

12. Kurt Capewell

Conceded a needless penalty that led to the Blues’ first try but otherwise sound. 7

13. Max Plath

Typically industrious display in what should be the first of many Origins for the Dolphins workhorse. 7

14. Briton Nikora

Only got 43 minutes of game time and didn’t really feature, apart from conceding an escort penalty in the second half, but the Blues couldn’t capitalise. 5

15. Lindsay Collins

The Roosters prop was sparingly used, playing only 27 minutes. 5

16. Patrick Carrigan

Injected off the bench after 20 minutes and worked himself to a standstill during his time on the field. 6.5

17. Trent Loiero

Only played 15 minutes and had few opportunities to stand out. 4

18. Ezra Mam

Yet to take the field. N/A

19. Gehamat Shibasaki

Yet to take the field. N/A