OpinionMay 27, 2026 — 9:07pmHow we rated the first-half performances of every NSW and Queensland player in the 2026 State of Origin series opener in Sydney.New South Wales1. James TedescoRan solidly out of his own end and defused all the bombs aimed his way, but was caught off guard for two tries from grubber kicks from Sam Walker and Cam Munster. 5/102. Brian To’oLed the team for run metres but made three uncharacteristic errors in his own half to gift the Maroons try-scoring chances. 33. Stephen CrichtonLost possession in a play-the-ball coming out of his own end, which led to Queensland’s opening try to his opposite winger Robert Toia. 44. Kotoni StaggsDidn’t get his hands on the ball until the 25 minute mark but was the busiest defender in the back five. 55. Tolutau KoulaHe’s never played on the wing at NRL level but made a decent fist of it in the first half with some good yardage carries. 618. Ethan StrangeMitch Moses’ replacement at five-eighth didn’t get much to do in attack but flattened rival No.6 Cameron Munster to produce a much-needed turnover, swinging the momentum late in the first half. 77. Nathan ClearyDominated the kicking game with no Moses, targeting Selwyn Cobbo with bombs early on and putting in a slick no-look grubber for Hudson Young’s try. 78. Addin Fonua-BlakeEndured a tough start to his Origin debut, and partly to blame for Queensland finding space down the middle on a few occasions. Had one run in the first 20 minutes before being subbed off. 39. Reece RobsonSolid at dummy half and was unlucky to not have a try assist with a neat grubber for Cameron Murray. 710. Mitchell BarnettDefended with aggression early on but produced the first error of the game. 511. Hudson YoungTackled hard, ran hard and chased down Cleary’s grubber for the Blues’ first points. 812. Haumole Olakau’atuMade an impact in defence, twice cutting down Cobbo after a great kick chase, and made a few tackle breaks when given the chance to run. 713. Isaah YeoThe Blues captain led the tackle count and hit-up count early on in a typically strong no-frills performance. 714. Cameron MurrayAdded some good spark off the bench as the Blues halted Queensland’s momentum. Got to a Reece Robson grubber but knocked on while attempting to score. 815. Victor RadleyA surprise selection in the side, Radley came on for his Origin debut after 25 minutes and tried to inject some energy. 616. Jacob SaifitiYet to take the field. N/A17. Blayke BraileyYet to take the field. N/A19. Casey McLeanYet to take the field. N/A21. Matt BurtonYet to take the field. N/AQueensland1. Kalyn PongaThrew a great pass to Cobbo that led to the Maroons’ second try and was outstanding under the high ball. 8/102. Selywn CobboSafe under the high ball early in his return to Origin and made the break that put Queensland in position to score their second try. 73. Robert ToiaScored the opening try of the series, winning the race to a Sam Walker kick, and did all that was asked of him defensively as well. 74. Hamiso Tabuai-FidowScored his 12th Origin try in only 11 games and played a leading hand in Tom Flegler’s try as well. 75. Jojo FifitaJojo didn’t quite have his mojo working on debut with limited involvement in the first half. 56. Cameron MunsterLaid on the third try, to Tabuai-Fidow, with a great kick. Only blemish was making the Maroons’ first handling error. 77. Sam WalkerDream start to his Origin career, laying on the opening two tries with a trademark pinpoint short kick before putting over Tom Flegler. Also kicked four goals from four attempts. 88. Thomas FleglerScored a try on his return to Origin after missing two seasons with a career-threatening injury. 69. Harry GrantHis dummy-half smarts set up the Maroons’ first two tries. 710. Tino Fa’asuamaleauiA tower of strength up front as always in his 26 minutes of game time. 611. Reuben CotterPlayed the entire first half and didn’t put a foot wrong. 712. Kurt CapewellConceded a needless penalty that led to the Blues try but otherwise sound. 713. Max PlathTypically industrious display by the Maroons debutant, who led the tackle count for his team. 714. Briton NikoraOnly got 10 minutes of game time. 515. Lindsay CollinsCame on with about 16 minutes remaining and played well. 616. Patrick CarriganMade his mark after coming off the bench after 20 minutes. 617. Trent LoieroYet to take the field. N/A18. Ezra MamYet to take the field. N/A19. Gehamat ShibasakiYet to take the field. N/ADefault avatarPhil Mitchell is a desk editor at The Sydney Morning Herald.From our partners