Can the Blues reclaim the State of Origin shield at the MCG tonight? Here is how to watch from anywhere in the world!<\/p>\n
Watch State of Origin II, as the New South Wales Blues take on the Queensland Maroons in the second instalment of an epic three-game series.<\/p>\n
The Maroons were in the driving seat in the first game of the classic rugby league contest, racing to a 20-0 lead in front of a massive crowd at Sydney\u2019s Accor Stadium. But, following the sending off of Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga, the Blues mounted the biggest comeback in the history of the State of Origin Shield, winning the match 22-20.<\/p>\n
The Blues now know that victory at the neutral Melbourne Cricket Ground will be enough to reclaim the title they lost last year. The Maroons, meanwhile, will be well aware they have to win today to turn the final Brisbane leg of the series into a winner-takes-all decider.<\/p>\n
However the match plays out, it\u2019s guaranteed to be one of the biggest games in the rugby league calendar. Below, Rugby World has all the information you need on TV channels, live streams, and free coverage in Australia.<\/p>\n
Read on for all the details on how to watch State of Origin II from anywhere with a VPN<\/a>, and scroll down to the end of the article for team news.<\/p>\n State of Origin II: Key information<\/p>\n \u2013 Date:\u00a0Wednesday 17 June 2026<\/p>\n \u2013 Time: 8.05pm AEST (local); 11.05am BST (UK)<\/p>\n \u2013 Venue:\u00a0Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia<\/p>\n \u2013 Watch FOR FREE in Australia: 9Now<\/a> (FREE)<\/p>\n \u2013 Watch in the UK: Sky Sports<\/a><\/p>\n \u2013 Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN (75% off + 3 months free)<\/a><\/p>\n Can I watch State of Origin II for free?<\/p>\n Yes! If you\u2019re in Australia you can watch all three State of Origin matches FOR FREE on both Channel Nine and its 9Now<\/a> streaming service. Coverage starts at 7.00pm AEST, so there\u2019s plenty of build-up ahead of the 8.05pm kick-off.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry if you\u2019re going to be outside Australia for tonight\u2019s big game. You can use a VPN<\/a> to watch your usual free 9Now<\/a> service as if you were back in Oz. Find out more below\u2026<\/p>\n Watch Blues v Maroons from anywhere<\/p>\n Aussie travelling abroad for the big game? A VPN (Virtual Private Network) has the handy ability to change your IP address, allowing you to avoid geo-blocking restrictions that might otherwise prevent you from watching your usual State of Origin II live stream from overseas.<\/p>\n The tech experts at TechRadar<\/a> and Tom\u2019s Guide<\/a> both reckon NordVPN is the best VPN out there right now, thanks to its ability to unblock streaming services. It also has top-notch security features in its locker.<\/p>\n Watch State of Origin II in the UK<\/p>\n This eagerly anticipated Blues v Maroons clash will be available via Sky Sports<\/a> in the UK, with coverage starting at 10.00am BST on Sky Sports Action.<\/p>\n It currently costs from \u00a322 per month to add Sky Sports to your Sky Sports subscription, though Sky\u2019s streaming service, Now<\/a>, also offers day memberships for \u00a314.99 if you\u2019d prefer to avoid a longer commitment.<\/p>\n State of Origin II teams and officials 1. James Tedesco 8. Payne Haas Interchange: Reserve: Queensland Maroons<\/p>\n 1. Kaylyn Ponga 8. Thomas Flegler Interchange: Reserve: Officials<\/p>\n Ashley Klein is the referee for State of Origin II, with Matt Noyen and Phil Henderson as touch judges. Chris Butler is the senior review official.<\/p>\n Download the digital edition<\/a>\u00a0of Rugby World straight to your tablet or\u00a0subscribe to the print edition<\/a>\u00a0to get\u00a0the magazine delivered to your door.<\/p>\n Follow Rugby World on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>.<\/p>\n We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:<\/p>\n Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service) We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.<\/p>\n \t\t
\nNew South Wales Blues<\/p>\n
2. Brian To\u2019o
3. Tolutau Koula
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n
9. Reese Robson
10. Mitchell Barnett
11. Hudson Young
12. Dylan Lucas
13. Isaah Yeo (captain)<\/p>\n
14. Cameron Murray
15. Victor Radley
16. Addin Fonua-Blake
17. Apisai Koroisau
18. Ethan Strange
19. Jack Bostock<\/p>\n
20. Haumole Olakau\u2019atu<\/p>\n
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Robert Toia
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Jojo Fifita
6. Cameron Munster (captain)
7. Sam Walker<\/p>\n
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui
11. Briton Nikora
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Reuben Cotter<\/p>\n
14. Max Plath
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
17. Trent Loiero
18. Reece Walsh
19. Murray Taulagi<\/p>\n
20. Heilum Luki<\/p>\n
\nProtecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad<\/p>\n