Missed all the hype of the first State of Origin match, who could blame you with the game on Channel Nein. But even if you caught the game and just want and/or need more The Gurgler has you covered. We offer up our 2026 State of Origin Game One – One Minute Match Report.
Our popular One Minute Match Reviews offer up just enough facts and figures and opinion to make it through the waiting for an Uber or morning coffee catch ups, fifty cent train rides or carpools, or something to vaguely stare at whilst nursing a hangover.
2026 State of Origin Game One Final Thoughts
Like Jerry Springer, but for rugby league.
It was a game of two halves. The first half, and not necessarily the 40 minutes specified by the rules but a bit longer, was dominated by Queensland. They blew NSW away with a point a minute by the 20th minute, helped by some poor errors in key positions by the Blues. Queensland though were solid enough and looking the goods to hold on as the Blues got better in the second half.
NSW had started the comeback not long before Kalyn Ponga’s harsh send off, but the extra player gave them the momentum they needed, although it did take until the second last minute to seal the game despite enough ball and territory to win by 20.
But perhaps NSW need to remember 2024, where Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off early and Queensland eventually took the lead and won with their extra player advantage. It was a false dawn for the Maroons who were outplayed that night in all honesty despite the extra player, and outplayed for the test of the series, losing 2-1 in the final at Suncorp Stadium. The main difference is that Queensland play at the MCG net where their record isn’t great.
If the Blues make as many mistakes as they did in Game One against 13 players for 80 minutes, they will struggle to win.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sam Walker 1st Half – Nathan Clear 2nd Half
If Queensland win then Sam Walker is man of the match, and the Roosters rookie did very well on his debut, rock solid and spectacular which would have got more plaudits if they won. But at the other end of the halfback experience, Nathan Cleary’s class sealed the NSW winner, and we shouldn’t be surprised, he’s a winner. Cleary’s 40-20, Tries and Try Assists were all crucial as he rode the NSW wave of confidence.
THE DALE SHEARER EXCITABLE MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Kalyn Ponga’s Send Off. Worth noting NSW were improving before the big moment, hence Ponga’s tackle on a runaway Koula, but the Send-Off gave them a free pass. Although, to be fair to Nathan Cleary, the 40-20 was also a Dale Shearer Moment of the Match.
THE RAY STONE NO BS HARD MAN OF THE MATCH
Kurt Capewell. Looked like the world’s hardest working Lumberjack, blood streaming down his face for full effect. Cameron Munster was close, and if Max Plath plays 80 minutes he’ll probably win this award. Not to say Blues didn’t work hard.
THE CHANNEL NEIN AWARD FOR WORST ORIGIN CONTRIBUTION
Channel Nein. Lord please don’t let them get 100% broadcasting rights. Mat Thompson needs to learn something other than talking and shouting. And the experts are as likeable as their playing days (not a compliment).
National Anthem and NRL Bunker are on the podium.
2026 State of Origin Game One Match Stats
Courtesy of nrl.com
BEST OF STATS
Cameron Munster topped the tackles for backs with 31, followed by Ethan Strange on 22. Munster had nine missed tackles.
Lindsay Collins topped the tackles per minute in the match average one every minute for his 26 minutes on the field.
Only seven games in the NRL this season have seen fewer Set Restarts given.
NSW lead Queensland 9-6 where the ground has hosted back to back games.
The last two years has seen the Game One winner lose the series.
2026 State of Origin Game One Player Ratings
For a while now The Gurgler has been developing a Player Rating system for each NRL match, so why not test it now after one of the biggest games of the season.
We use stats and zero slats to determine a score out of ten for each player. The stats and weighting of stats change per position to make it fair. And worth noting that to get a 10/10 you have to be almost perfect in every way. A full explanation on the stats and weighting is at the end.
The explanation on the ratings…
2026 State of Origin Game One Player Stats Comparison
Here we compare some of the big players or positions side-by-side to see if we can break down who did better and best. Note: not Colin Best.
