NRL

England-eligible players shine as NSW land huge State of Origin comeback after controversial send-off

by
Sam Cook
May 27, 2026

New South Wales overturned a 20-0 deficit after just 20 minutes to cap off one of the greatest State of Origin comebacks in history, in a game marred by a send-off for Queensland full-back Kalyn Ponga.

Halfback pair Nathan Cleary and Ethan Strange helped orchestrate the brilliant comeback with Cleary kicking the game-winning conversion five seconds from time as the Blues won 22-20 in a game that will live long in the memory.

Selection was a key talking point for both sides this year, not least because of the new eligibility rules that allowed the selection players who had played in their respective states before their 13th birthday. Another key change was that players who represent tier one nations other than Australia, namely England and New Zealand, could be selected and that saw England’s Victor Radley and New Zealand’s Addin Fonua-Blake both debut for the Blues.

However, arguably the bigger selection matter was who would play in the halves for Queensland amid the injury to Tom Dearden. Would the Maroons roll it back to Daly Cherry-Evans or look for new blood?

Billy Slater went for the latter and he was vindicated early on as Leeds-born Sam Walker took the game by the scruff of the neck early on before fellow England-eligible man Ethan Strange started to exert his own influence for the Blues.

Here’s the tale of the tape after New South Wales took game one of the 2026 State of Origin series.

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New South Wales land first blow in State of Origin 2026

The Sydney crowd were silenced in the first 20 minutes of game one as Queensland scored three tries in eight minutes with Sydney Roosters’ Sam Walker central to the rapid start.

As the Maroons took advantage of uncharacteristic errors from Blues stars such as Brian To’o, it was Walker’s short kick through that helped unlock the defence with debutant Robert Toia first to the ball as he scored the opening try of the night.

Just four minutes later, Tom Flegler crashed over after brilliant work from Ashes supremo Harry Grant and the Marroons then added a third as it became Cam Munster’s turn to dab a kick through with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow calmly collected to score.

The Blues would hit back before the half with Nathan Cleary’s no-look kick grounded by Hudson Young but it was understandably looking bleak for the hosts when they went into the sheds.

For the next 15 minutes, the game remained in the balance but that changed when Queensland full-back Kalyn Ponga was sent off for what was deemed direct shoulder contact to the head of Tolutau Koula. That turned the tide in favour of the Blues who thought they’d closed the gap but Ethan Strange’s try was ruled out due to obstruction, leaving the score 20-6 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Just minutes later and Strange was not to be denied this time, backing up for the smart offload from Stephen Crichton as the England-eligible playmaker hurdled Sam Walker to run free and bring it back to 20-10.

The tide seemed to be turning but James Tedesco bombed a near-certain try as his pass to Haumole Olakau’atu fell short, leaving head coach Laurie Daley with his head in his hands.

Daley was back on his feet minutes later as Nathan Cleary nailed a 40/20 before then crossing over to pull the Blues within four points with just eight minutes to play.

It was that man again as Cleary hit a huge spiral bomb that Blues’ full-back James Tedesco pouched from Tabuai-Fidow, coming down to score just to the side of the posts and with only a minute left on the clock. Cleary then added the extras to secure the Blues a famous win in game one of the 2026 State of Origin series, but it’s sure to be one that is scrutinised amid the send-off for Kalyn Ponga.