2026 State of Origin, Game Two
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Wednesday 17 June, 7:50pm
Our tour leader John Harms secured great seats in the MCC members’ reserve.
Our party of four consisted of JTH, Dips O’Donnell, yours truly RITV, and Sophia, elder daughter of RITV.
The MCG is not a favourite venue for many followers of football codes other than Australian Rules Football. Many folks are not fond of a rectangular playing field inside an oval shaped (cricket and Australian Rules) playing area. For this Queenslander, the configuration has never been an issue, ditto for rugby league at Adelaide Oval.
Each to their own.
Our seats were on the dead ball line, however the view from level two was excellent.
Queensland took the early lead thanks to a Sam Walker penalty goal in the fifth minute – the first of eight straight goals from the halfback – in only his second Origin game.
A costly handling error ten metres out from the try line from Tom Flegler resulted in the Blues hitting straight back with a try to Katoni Staggs.
Rugby Union bound winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored his first Origin try for New South Wales, converted by Cleary for the Blues to skip out to a handy lead, 12-2.
The first half was an interesting contest. New South Wales certainly appeared to have tightened up their defence, while Queensland’s attack was at times a little lacklustre.
Referee Ashley (Calvin) Klein was in the headlines for more reasons than usual in the lead up to the game. Various media outlets had reported that Klein had lost several hundred thousand dollars gambling. The boos were certainly loud when Klein’s face appeared on the big screens just before kick-off.
New South Wales appeared to get the rub of the green more than once with the contentious ‘six again’ in the first half.
Queensland were able to claw their way back with a wonderful team try, scored by the hard-working Trent Loiero to make the half-time score 12-8 to the Blues.
The second half was a complete contrast to the first forty minutes. New South Wales, one up in the series, had the opportunity to wrap up 2026 Origin in this game. Instead, Queensland piled on six second half tries, with Selwyn Cobbo scoring three! Katoni Staggs spent ten minutes in the sin bin for a high shot on Kaylan Ponga. The frequently suspended Roosters forward from England Victor Radley had somehow managed to stay on the field earlier for two other high shots.
Klein once again in the spotlight.
Jojo Fifita, the Hammer (Hamiso Tabuai-Fido) much to the delight of JTH, and Lindsay Collins also joined in the second half try-scoring frenzy.
The former Wallaby soon to be heading back to the Wallabies (Marky Mark Nawaqanitawase) scored his second try for the Blues before replacement forward Mitch Barnett remined coach Laurie Daley what he was capable of with a consolation try under the posts with three minutes left on the clock.
This was another great chapter for Queensland in State of Origin. At half-time, the game was certainly in the balance. By full time, Queensland had written another great Origin story. The decider in Brisbane now awaits.
The mood in the Percy Beames bar in the Melbourne Cricket Club Member’s Reserve post-match was one of joy for those wearing maroon.
Denis Carnahan, writer of ‘Rugby League, the musical’ including the song ‘That’s in Queensland’, may have to add a line to his satirical piece: ‘Where is Melbourne? That’s in Queensland!’ For this year, at least!
A great Almanac lunch, followed by a great Queensland win.
Full time: Queensland 44 d New South Wales 24 (series 1-1)
Team lists:
Queensland: Ponga, Cobbo, Toia, Fabuai-Fido, Fifita, Munster (Capt.), Walker, Flegler, Grant, Fa’sauamaleaui, Nikora, Cotter, Capewell, bench: Plath, Collins, Finefeuiaki, Loireo
New South Wales: Tedesco, To’o, Koula, Staggs, Nawaqanitawase, Moses, Cleary, Haas, Robson, Barnett, Young, Lucas, Yeo, bench: Murray, Radley, Fonua-Blake, Koroisau, Strange
Points:
Queensland: tries (7) Loireo 26’, Cobbo 46’, Cobbo 52’, Fifita 55’, Tabuai-Fidow 62’, Collins 65’, Cobbo 71’, Goals: Walker 8/8
New South Wales: tries (4) Staggs 6’, Nawaqanitawase 20 & 59’, Barnett 77’, goals: Cleary 4/4
Sin Bin: Staggs 64’
Penalties: Queensland 5-2
Referee: Ashley Klein
Crowd: 91,671 (record)
Game 3: Brisbane, 8 July
Highlights:
State of Origin 2026 | Blues v Maroons | Match Highlights | Game II
Press Conferences:
Billy is proud of the fight back in the second half: Origin Presser | NRL on Nine
Daley Addresses 2nd Half Disaster: Origin Presser | NRL on Nine
South Sydney Weekend Results:
NRL – bye
NSW Cup – bye
NSW Women’s Round 2: South Sydney 50 d Western Suburbs 6, Redfern Oval
Russel Hansen (Rabbit in the Vineyard) was born in Kingaroy, Queensland, 4610. Grateful to this parents, Alan and Audrey for the great start in life.
To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE.
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To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRL click HERE.
To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.
To see the details for State of Origin in 2026 click HERE.
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Russel Hansen
Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country.
He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder.
He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters.
Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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