New South Wales vs Queensland Preview & Prediction | 2026 State of Origin | Game 1
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The first game of the 2026 State of Origin series is on deck between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Channel Nine & 9Now / USA – Channel 7 & Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / Australia – Channel Nine & 9Now digital platforms / USA – Fox Sports digital platforms
New South Wales team news
The main injury setback for New South Wales is that of Mitchell Moses, who is ruled out of game one with a hamstring problem. But it remains a strong NSW squad which includes stars such as Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco and Tolu Koula.
Squad: James Tedesco, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Kotoni Staggs, Tolutau Koula, Ethan Strange, Nathan Cleary, Addin Fonua-Blake, Reece Robson, Mitchell Barnett, Hudson Young, Haumole Olakau'atu, Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray, Victor Radley, Jacob Saifiti, Blayke Brailey, Casey McLean, Matt Burton, Dylan Lucas
Queensland team news
Queensland are without halfback Tom Deardan, as the North Queensland Cowboys captain is currently injured. However, players such as Kalyn Ponga, Robert Toia and expected debutant Jojo Fifita are all fit and raring to go.
Squad: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster, Sam Walker, Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Reuben Cotter, Kurt Capewell, Max Plath, Briton Nikora, Lindsay Collins, Patrick Carrigan, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Gehamat Shibasaki, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
New South Wales vs Queensland prediction
Accor Stadium in Sydney is the location for this eagerly anticipated first match as both teams look to set the tone for this series in a positive way. The venue has not proven a happy hunting ground for the New South Wales Blues down the years, who have lost three of their most recent four matches at Accor, whilst they also are a team with a poor game one record over the past few years. The opposite can be said for Queensland Maroons, who have won three of the four series openers played since Billy Slater took over as head coach.
This is a stacked New South Wales team and with Cleary leading the way, they are sure to give Queensland a real run of their money. But the Maroons are notorious for starting strongly and with a proven try scorer at Origin level in full-back Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow likely to play a big part, keeping them off the scoreboard on a consistent basis will be a formidable challenge for NSW. In the end, the smart move would be backing Queensland, with their incredible recent game one record impossible to ignore.
New South Wales vs Queensland tip: Queensland to win
