![\"SYDNEY,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4K4IOUM_GettyImages_2224246949_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nNathan Cleary of the Blues is tackled by Patrick Carrigan of the Maroons during Game III in 2025 (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)
\nPhoto: Cameron Spencer\n<\/p>\n
James Tedesco has scored a spectacular try with 90 seconds left in State of Origin I to cap off a stunning comeback to win State of Origin I 22-20 at a sodden Stadium Australia.<\/p>\n
An electric Queensland outfit shot out to a 20-0 lead after 20 minutes of the series opener in Sydney, before spending an hour desperately trying to cling on.<\/p>\n
That task was made harder when superstar Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge on a flying Tolu Koula after 57 minutes, despite the Queensland fullback’s insistence that his head, not his shoulder, hit Koula high.<\/p>\n
Debutant Ethan Strange and halfback Nathan Cleary scored on 62 and 71 minutes, as the Maroons’ defence scrambled in the wet.<\/p>\n
They repelled the Blues until the final moments, when Cleary’s bomb landed a metre in front of the tryline and Tedesco outleapt Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, pinched the ball, juggled and regathered on the way to grounding the ball.<\/p>\n
Cleary potted the extras from just next to the posts and NSW took a 1-0 series lead before the series heads to Melbourne for Game II in three weeks’ time.<\/p>\n
Kiwi forward Briton Nikora<\/a> made his Origin debut, after being named for Queensland.<\/p>\n He makes history as the first Kiwi international to be allowed to play in rugby league’s biggest showpiece after a change in eligibility rules<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two Warriors are also playing in Origin I; co-captain Mitch Barnett for New South Wales and second rower Kurt Capewell for Queensland.<\/p>\n See how the action unfolded in our blog:<\/p>\n – ABC<\/p>\n Additional reporting by RNZ<\/p>\n