AAA<\/p>\n
How we rated the first-half performances of every NSW and Queensland player in the 2026 State of Origin series opener in Sydney.<\/p>\n
New South Wales<\/p>\n
1. James Tedesco<\/p>\n
Ran solidly out of his own end and defused all the bombs aimed his way, but was caught off guard for two tries from grubber kicks from Sam Walker and Cam Munster. 5\/10<\/p>\n
2. Brian To\u2019o<\/p>\n
Led the team for run metres but made three uncharacteristic errors in his own half to gift the Maroons try-scoring chances. 3<\/p>\n
3. Stephen Crichton<\/p>\n
Lost possession in a play-the-ball coming out of his own end, which led to Queensland\u2019s opening try to his opposite winger Robert Toia. 4<\/p>\n
4. Kotoni Staggs<\/p>\n
Didn\u2019t get his hands on the ball until the 25 minute mark but was the busiest defender in the back five. 5<\/p>\n
5. Tolutau Koula<\/p>\n
He\u2019s never played on the wing at NRL level but made a decent fist of it in the first half with some good yardage carries. 6<\/p>\n
18. Ethan Strange<\/p>\n
Mitch Moses\u2019 replacement at five-eighth didn\u2019t get much to do in attack but flattened rival No.6 Cameron Munster to produce a much-needed turnover, swinging the momentum late in the first half. 7<\/p>\n
7. Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n
Dominated the kicking game with no Moses, targeting Selwyn Cobbo with bombs early on and putting in a slick no-look grubber for Hudson Young\u2019s try. 7<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
8. Addin Fonua-Blake<\/p>\n
Endured a tough start to his Origin debut, and partly to blame for Queensland finding space down the middle on a few occasions. Had one run in the first 20 minutes before being subbed off. 3<\/p>\n
9. Reece Robson<\/p>\n
Solid at dummy half and was unlucky to not have a try assist with a neat grubber for Cameron Murray. 7<\/p>\n
10. Mitchell Barnett<\/p>\n
Defended with aggression early on but produced the first error of the game. 5<\/p>\n
11. Hudson Young<\/p>\n
Tackled hard, ran hard and chased down Cleary\u2019s grubber for the Blues\u2019 first points. 8<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
12. Haumole Olakau\u2019atu<\/p>\n
Made an impact in defence, twice cutting down Cobbo after a great kick chase, and made a few tackle breaks when given the chance to run. 7<\/p>\n
13. Isaah Yeo<\/p>\n
The Blues captain led the tackle count and hit-up count early on in a typically strong no-frills performance. 7<\/p>\n
14. Cameron Murray<\/p>\n
Added some good spark off the bench as the Blues halted Queensland\u2019s momentum. Got to a Reece Robson grubber but knocked on while attempting to score. 8<\/p>\n
15. Victor Radley<\/p>\n
A surprise selection in the side, Radley came on for his Origin debut after 25 minutes and tried to inject some energy. 6<\/p>\n
16. Jacob Saifiti<\/p>\n
Yet to take the field. N\/A<\/p>\n
17. Blayke Brailey<\/p>\n
Yet to take the field. N\/A<\/p>\n
19. Casey McLean<\/p>\n
Yet to take the field. N\/A<\/p>\n
21. Matt Burton<\/p>\n
Yet to take the field. N\/A<\/p>\n
Queensland<\/p>\n
1. Kalyn Ponga<\/p>\n
Threw a great pass to Cobbo that led to the Maroons\u2019 second try and was outstanding under the high ball. 8\/10<\/p>\n
2. Selywn Cobbo<\/p>\n
Safe under the high ball early in his return to Origin and made the break that put Queensland in position to score their second try. 7<\/p>\n
3. Robert Toia<\/p>\n
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. 7<\/p>\n
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow<\/p>\n
Scored his 12th Origin try in only 11 games and played a leading hand in Tom Flegler\u2019s try as well. 7<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
5. Jojo Fifita<\/p>\n
Jojo didn\u2019t quite have his mojo working on debut with limited involvement in the first half. 5<\/p>\n
6. Cameron Munster<\/p>\n
Laid on the third try, to Tabuai-Fidow, with a great kick. Only blemish was making the Maroons\u2019 first handling error. 7<\/p>\n
7. Sam Walker<\/p>\n
Dream start to his Origin career, laying on the opening two tries with a trademark pinpoint short kick before putting over Tom Flegler. Also kicked four goals from four attempts. 8<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
8. Thomas Flegler<\/p>\n
Scored a try on his return to Origin after missing two seasons with a career-threatening injury. 6<\/p>\n
9. Harry Grant<\/p>\n
His dummy-half smarts set up the Maroons\u2019 first two tries. 7<\/p>\n
10. Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui<\/p>\n
A tower of strength up front as always in his 26 minutes of game time. 6<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
11. Reuben Cotter<\/p>\n
Played the entire first half and didn\u2019t put a foot wrong. 7<\/p>\n
12. Kurt Capewell<\/p>\n
Conceded a needless penalty that led to the Blues try but otherwise sound. 7<\/p>\n
13. Max Plath<\/p>\n
Typically industrious display by the Maroons debutant, who led the tackle count for his team. 7<\/p>\n
14. Briton Nikora<\/p>\n
Only got 10 minutes of game time. 5<\/p>\n
15. Lindsay Collins<\/p>\n
Came on with about 16 minutes remaining and played well. 6<\/p>\n
16. Patrick Carrigan<\/p>\n
Made his mark after coming off the bench after 20 minutes. 6<\/p>\n
17. Trent Loiero<\/p>\n
Related Article Yet to take the field. N\/A<\/p>\n 18. Ezra Mam<\/p>\n Yet to take the field. N\/A<\/p>\n 19. Gehamat Shibasaki<\/p>\n Yet to take the field. N\/A<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n![\"Kalyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7f9057a089ab3d5347398594139f0edf97e5b8925979882aeded20b20b81752e.gif\")
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