Queensland have levelled the 2026 State of Origin series and set up a decider at Suncorp with a remarkable 44-24 victory at the MCG on the back of a stunning second half that will go down as one of Queensland’s finest and one of New South Wales’ most disastrous.
Match Summary
Trailing 12-8 at half-time, the Maroons piled on six tries on their way to a 20-point victory in front of a record State of Origin crowd of 91,761, heaping pressure on NSW coach Laurie Daley after some questionable selection calls failed spectacularly while his refusal to use his bench early in the second half only allowed the Maroons to build some unstoppable momentum.
Queensland skipper Cameron Munster played perhaps his finest game in maroon, Sam Walker put to bed any doubts about his Origin readiness and Selwyn Cobbo had one of the great games of any Origin winger in scoring a hat-trick to lead the Maroons to one of their most famous comeback wins.
NSW entered the clash favoured to wrap up the series, but the Blues will be in a state of shock after the second-half onslaught saw them give up 36 points in an uninspired showing marked by ill-discipline.
First Half Action
The 12-8 half-time score flattered Queensland, who were outmuscled and outplayed by NSW in the opening stanza. It was a stark improvement for the Blues, who had lost the three prior first halves 66-12, with Laurie Daley’s pre-game message simple: don’t miss the start.
Queensland were the first to break out of the opening arm wrestle with a slick break down the right edge from Cobbo that led to the first full attacking set of the game, resulting in Walker slotting a penalty goal to put the Maroons up 2-0. The lead lasted less than a minute. Tom Flegler spilled the ensuing kick-off – a horrid mistake that will haunt him for a long time – and debutant Mark Nawaqanitawase swooped on the error, doing well to get his arm free and find Staggs for the game’s opening four-pointer.
Nawaqanitawase’s strong debut hit its high-water mark when he crossed for the Blues’ second try, set up by a delightful spiral pass to the unmarked winger to put NSW up 12-2.
The Maroons can never be ruled out though and against the run of play scored one of the great Origin tries. A Tabuai-Fidow break set up a last tackle run that saw Munster fire a pass akin in style to a Shane Warne leg break that went through the hands with replacement Max Plath turning an inside ball to a charging Trent Loiero for an outstanding four-pointer. The try came at a cost though with skipper Munster sent for a HIA.
Second Half Onslaught
The Maroons broke through minutes after half-time when Cobbo was on the end of a Munster kick from broken play and Walker slotted the sideline conversion. Cobbo made it a double after a silky scrum play that saw Walker throw a sublime short ball to Kalyn Ponga who skipped across field and sent the winger over. Jojo Fifita made it three tries in the opening 18 minutes of the half to put the Blues well and truly on the ropes.
Nawaqanitawase’s second try did nothing to slow the Maroons down with Tabuai-Fidow continuing his outstanding tryscoring form with a four-pointer off a delightful Cobbo grubber on a play that saw Staggs sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Ponga. Lindsay Collins strolled over. Cobbo made it three with a spectacular putdown. A Mitch Barnett consolation with four minutes remaining proved little solace for the Blues.
Key Performances
Selwyn Cobbo had an Origin game to remember, scoring three tries and making a try-saving tackle in Queensland’s victory over NSW in game two. Cameron Munster orchestrated the attack with brilliance, while Sam Walker silenced critics with a composed performance. For NSW, debutant Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries but it wasn’t enough to prevent a heavy defeat.
