As it happened: Blues steal dramatic late win over Maroons

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Maroons

Blues

Debutants make a splash: Nathan Cleary was awarded the official player of the match award, but there were strong contenders for both sides in a game that had everything. Kept contained in the first half, Cleary made his presence known in the second when the game was ready for the taking, with a try, a key 40/20 and two try assists. However, on debut Ethan Strange would not have been out of place taking the honours, making defensive impact to add to his try. For the Maroons, Sam Walker one of the best on the ground, with two try assists in the first half. 

Full-time: A seesawing and dramatic opening game finishes with the Blues claiming a 22-20 win. After getting out to an 18-0 start early in the first half, Queensland looked on top - but the momentum started to change going into the second half. The Blues started well to start the second half, however, the momentum truly turned when Maroons fullback was sent off for his shoulder charge tackle attempt on Tolutau Koula who failed his HIA. The Blues then went to work using their advantage, with Ethan Strange getting the ball rolling with a try on debut.

79th min: In his Origin return, James Tedesco has scored the winning try for the Blues - coming down with a kick from Cleary to seal the match. While there was a bit of a juggle as he contested with Tabuai-Fidow who had been filling in at fullback in place of Ponga - there was no doubt. Cleary converts and its 22-20 to the Blues. 

77th min: Huge period of defence for the 12-man Maroons, forcing Strange into an error where he passes off the ground, holding the Blues out for repeat sets. 

72nd min: After getting his side the position and the possession with his kick, Nathan Cleary finishes it off with by scoring the try. He converts the try from in front and the scores have narrowed to 20-16.

70th min: Nathan Cleary gets a 40/20 for the Blues to put them on the attack. 

67th min: A huge let off for the Maroons with big man Olakau'atu unable to get down low to catch a pass with the try line begging. He drops the ball and the Maroons get a scrum. 

63rd min: This time, Ethan Strange has his Origin try on debut. After an earlier error, Crichton does good work to help set it up with a good run, after another debutant Casey McLean gets the momentum started. Cleary can't convert and scores are 20-10. 

Injury update - Koula has failed his HIA.

62nd min: A chance goes begging for the Blues, with a pass from Crichton to Young how goes over going forward. Score remains 20-6. 

60th min: Maroons challenge a penalty for an escort by Briton Nikora - but they are unsuccessful on turning that over. 

58th min: The Blues don't take long to capitalise on their one-player advantage, sweeping out the back, with debutant Ethan Strange going over ... however, there is an obstruction from Haumole Olakau'atu who runs at the chest of Harry Grant - so the try is disallowed. Score remains 20-6. 

57th min: High drama as Kalyn Ponga is penalised for a shoulder charge in trying to stop Tolutau Koula, making contact on the head of the winger who was making a break down the left side and is then sent off by the match officials. Koula comes off for a HIA. 

53rd min: The Blues try the same thing as the Maroons, but this time they are unsuccessful in trying to gain a penalty for a high tackle.  

49th min: A captain's challenge from the Maroons on the contact on Max Plath is successful with Hudson Young penalised for a high tackle. 

The stats that matter: At the break, the Maroons have enjoyed 55 percent of the possession and have made that count. They also have an 85 percent completion rate, with 18/21, while the Blues have completed 16/21 for a 76 percent completion rate. In his Origin debut, Maroons halfback Sam Walker has two try assists in the half. 

Half-time: The visiting Maroons head to the sheds 20-6 after an opening blitz, including a try to Tom Flegler in his return game. However, an error took the foot off the neck and the Blues fought back to gain the momentum later in the half. 

36th min: A no try to Cam Murray goes up to the Bunker and ends up as a penalty to the Maroons, with Murray deemed to have tackled Kurt Capewell off the ball when both were trying to get to the ball. 

27th min: First points for the Blues with Hudson Young. In a flip of the early script, the Maroons made back-to-back errors and penalties to gift Blues position and possession just out from their attacking line and Nathan Cleary puts in a short kick for his second rower to run in and score. Cleary converts and it's 20-6. 

24th min: Some joy for the Blues with debutant Ethan Strange causing an error from Cam Munster after putting on a big tackle. 

21st min: Another error from the Blues, with Brian To'o losing the ball and then that's compounded by an offside penalty and it's more points to the Maroons. Walker kicks the penalty goal and it's 20-0 to Maroons. 

17th min: Maroons in again, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow going over in the left side. Another error from the Blues is punished with another kick behind the line, this time by Cameron Munster, is chased by the Queensland centre. Walker converts and it's 18-0. 

14th min: What a return to Origin for Tom Flegler! He is over for Queensland's second - in the right spot at the right time to take an offload at the line from Harry Grant to go charging in under the posts. The Maroons started the play with a great kick return from Ponga who combined with Selwyn Cobbo to tear down the left side. While the Blues scrambled to shut that down, they couldn't hold on when the big prop found some space. Walker converts again and it's 12-0. 

10th min: A short kick from Sam Walker into the in-goal is pounced on by Rob Toia who touches the ball down to score the opening points of the 2026 State of Origin series. The Blues gave up an error coming out of their own end, with Stephen Crichton losing the ball in the play the ball, giving the Maroons possession. Walker converts and it's an early 6-0 lead to Queensland.

5th min: Some good scrambling defence from the Blues to defend their line after the Maroons were looking ominous with the ball, with Kalyn Ponga making his presence felt early. 

Kick off: The Blues fullback James Tedesco launches the ball to kick off the series opener in wet conditions.

Player insights

Maroons:

Blues:

In other Origin news from across the game, the Women's State of Origin teams have provided their 24-hour update, with no late changes for their game on the Gold Coast tomorrow night.

Behind the scenes

Plenty to play for tonight for both sides, with Maroons also vowing to lift for former Maroon Jai Arrow who has shared his diagnosis of MND.

A sneak peek into the Blues sheds:

Late Mail

Blues: No further changes on game day for the Blues after Mitch Moses withdrew with a hamstring injury on Tuesday, meaning Ethan Strange debuts at five-eighth and Matt Burton joins the bench in No.21. Moses pulled up with tightness after doing 'extras' after training in Gosford on Monday and scans revealed a minor hamstring strain.

Maroons: Billy Slater's men line up 1-19 as named on the back of a seamless preparation that has them primed to continue their fine record in series openers in Sydney. Skipper Cam Munster was rested for a training session with 'soreness' but was in no doubt to take his place in the side. Dolphins back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki was the last man to drop out of the squad 90 minutes before kick-off.

Numbers Game

• The Blues have lost three of their last four games at Accor Stadium.
• The Maroons have lost Game 1 only once under coach Billy Slater.
• The Blues have lost their last four series-openers in Sydney.
• Maroons fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 11 tries in 10 Origin appearances.
• Winger Brian To’o requires one try to become the outright leading Origin tryscorer for NSW.