In the opening match of the 2026 State of Origin series, the New South Wales Blues have taken a commanding 14-0 lead over the Queensland Maroons at halftime. The match, held at Accor Stadium in Sydney, saw tries from Liam Martin and Bradman Best, with Nathan Cleary converting both attempts.
The Blues dominated possession and territory in the first half, with their forward pack laying a strong platform. Queensland struggled to gain momentum, with errors and penalties disrupting their attacking sets. The Maroons will need to regroup in the second half to stay in the contest.
Key moments included a try-saving tackle from Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga and a 40/20 kick from NSW halfback Nathan Cleary that set up a scoring opportunity. The second half is expected to be fiercely contested as the Maroons seek to mount a comeback.
