Live: Origin series on the line as Blues and Maroons light up MCG for Game II

ABC News

SportsABC News·Jun 17, 2026·5 min read

Live: Origin series on the line as Blues and Maroons light up MCG for Game II

NSW can regain the men's State of Origin shield tonight, as the Blues take a 1-0 lead into Game II at the MCG.

Queensland must win tonight to keep the series alive and force a decider on home turf in three weeks.

Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.

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Key Events

Wed 17 Jun 2026 at 7:10pm

ABC More or Less quiz: State of Origin Game II

This ABC More or Less quiz challenges you to go deep into AFL territory and come away with the win.

There are three rounds, each with five State of Origin greats to place in order of tries scored, points scored and games coached.

Tap the link below to play our quiz.

Key Event

Wed 17 Jun 2026 at 6:57pm

Team lists confirmed for State of Origin Game II

By Michael Doyle

There are no late changes to the starting sides.

NSW coach Laurie Daley and Queensland coach Billy Slater has kept the same teams as listed 1-19.

Key Event

Wed 17 Jun 2026 at 6:45pm

Queensland Maroons changes from Game I

By Michael Doyle

Coach Billy Slater kept a pretty similar side to the team he named for Game I.

The only change in the starting side is Max Plath dropping to the bench, Reuben Cotter moving from second row to lock, and Briton Nikora starting in the second row.

Brisbane's centre Gehamat Shibasaki (injured) and Ezra Mam (dropped), who were not used in Game I, are not part of the 19-man squad.

Broncos star Reece Walsh, and Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi have replaced them.

QLD Game I

Kalyn Ponga

Selwyn Cobbo

Rob Toia

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Jojo Fifita

Cameron Munster (C)

Sam Walker

Tom Flegler

Harry Grant

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Reuben Cotter

Kurt Capewell

Max Plath

Briton Nikora

Lindsay Collins

Pat Carrigan

Trent Loiero

Ezra Mam

Gehamat Shibasaki

QLD Game II

Kalyn Ponga

Selwyn Cobbo

Rob Toia

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Jojo Fifita

Cameron Munster (C)

Sam Walker

Tom Flegler

Harry Grant

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Briton Nikora

Kurt Capewell

Reuben Cotter

Max Plath

Lindsay Collins

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Trent Loiero

Reece Walsh

Murray Taulagi

Key Event

Wed 17 Jun 2026 at 6:35pm

NSW Blues team list changes from Game I

By Michael Doyle

Coach Laurie Daley has been forced into some changes for Game II.

Canterbury centre Stephen Crichton and Penrith centre Casey McLean are both injured.

Tolutau Koula moves from the wing to centre, partnering Kotoni Staggs. Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his Origin debut on the wing.

Mitchell Moses is healthy and will start at five-eighth after missing Game I. That means Ethan Strange, who was brilliant in Moses's absence, will be on the bench.

Dylan Lucas also makes his Origin debut in the second row, with Manly's Haumole Olakau'atu a surprise omission from the side.

Payne Haas returns from injury to start at prop while Apisai Koroisau and Jack Bostock are new additions to the six-man bench.

NSW Game I

James Tedesco

Brian To'o

Stephen Crichton

Kotoni Staggs

Tolutau Koula

Ethan Strange

Nathan Cleary

Addin Fonua-Blake

Reece Robson

Mitch Barnett

Hudson Young

Haumole Olakau'atu

Isaah Yeo (C)

Cameron Murray

Victor Radley

Jacob Saifiti

Blayke Brailey

Casey McLean

Matt Burton

NSW Game II

James Tedesco

Brian To'o

Tolutau Koula

Kotoni Staggs

Mark Nawaqanitawase

Mitchell Moses

Nathan Cleary

Payne Haas

Reece Robson

Mitch Barnett

Hudson Young

Dylan Lucas

Isaah Yeo (C)

Cameron Murray

Victor Radley

Addin Fonua-Blake

Apisai Koroisau

Ethan Strange

Jack Bostock

Wed 17 Jun 2026 at 6:20pm

What happened in Game I?

By Michael Doyle

New South Wales pulled off the largest comeback in State of Origin, overcoming a 20-point deficit to win 22-20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Queensland raced out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, and led 20-6 at half-time.

But the defining moment of the match came in the 57th minute when Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge that made contact with the head of Blues winger Tolutau Koula.

The visitors were down to 12 men for the remaining 23 minutes, desperately trying to hold on to their 14-point lead.

But the Blues would score three tries, including a stunning individual effort from fullback James Tedesco in the 79th minute, to steal the win.

Key Event

Wed 17 Jun 2026 at 6:10pm

State of Origin Game II team lists

By Michael Doyle

NSW Blues

James Tedesco

Brian To'o

Tolutau Koula

Kotoni Staggs

Mark Nawaqanitawase