Blues v Maroons: Tedesco returns: Walker steps up
The Westpac NSW Blues are out to defend home turf as they look to topple Queensland in the opening game of the 2026 Ampol State of Origin series.
Blues coach Laurie Daley has named a new-look squad for the clash as he looks to bounce back from last year's defeat.
A capacity crowd exceeding 80,000 is expected at Accor Stadium, with fans set to turn the stadium sky blue in support of their team.
Six NSW players are in the mix to make Origin debuts, with Addin Fonua-Blake and Tolu Koula named to start. Victor Radley, Ethan Strange, Blayke Brailey and Casey McLean have all been listed on the six-man bench.
Daley has made no secret of his desire for the Blues to take on an attacking mindset and has recalled former skipper James Tedesco at fullback.
While home ground advantage has always played a big role throughout the 46-year history of State of Origin, visiting teams have enjoyed some success in recent times.
The home team hasn't won an Origin game since 2023, when NSW prevailed 24-10 at Accor Stadium.
It's a stat that will buoy Billy Slater's Maroons as they look to open their account before the series shifts to Melbourne and later Brisbane.
The reigning champions have plenty of stability from last year but there have been a handful of changes to the side that won the decider at Accor Stadium.
An injury to Tom Dearden has opened the door for halfback Sam Walker to make his Origin debut, while Kalyn Ponga edged Reece Walsh in the race for the fullback jumper.
Stat Attack
- The Maroons have lost Game 1 only once under coach Billy Slater.
- The Blues have lost their last four series-openers in Sydney.
- Maroons fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 11 tries in 10 Origin appearances.
- Winger Brian To’o requires one try to become the outright leading Origin tryscorer for NSW.
Team News
Blues: James Tedesco has edged Dylan Edwards for the fullback role in the tightest positional battle for NSW, with Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses to link up in the halves. There are six potential debutants in the 19-man team as Laurie Daley makes a raft of changes from Game Three last year. Tongan co-captain Addin Fonua-Blake and Manly speedster Tolu Koula have been named in the starting side, while Victor Radley, Blayke Brailey, Ethan Strange and Casey McLean are all on the six-man bench. Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau'atu form a new-look backrow, while Cam Murray makes his Origin return via the interchange.
Maroons: Sam Walker will make his Origin debut at halfback in place of the injured Tom Dearden, with captain Cam Munster retaining the No.6 jumper. Kalyn Ponga has edged Reece Walsh for the No.1 jumper, while Rob Toia and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will line up in the centres. Jojo Fifita is set for his Queensland debut on the wing, fellow debutant Max Plath starts at lock and Briton Nikora is in line for his maiden Origin appearance after being named on the six-man interchange. Pat Carrigan is set to bring punch off the bench, while Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki shape as potential X-factors if injected into the contest by coach Billy Slater.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Blues is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Maroons is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Blues is number 2 Brian To'oWinger for Maroons is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
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Centre for Blues is number 3 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Maroons is number 3 Robert Toia
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Centre for Blues is number 4 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Maroons is number 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Winger for Blues is number 5 Tolutau KoulaWinger for Maroons is number 5 Jojo Fifita
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Five-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Mitchell MosesFive-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Maroons is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
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Prop for Blues is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Maroons is number 8 Thomas Flegler
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Hooker for Blues is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Maroons is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Blues is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Maroons is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
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2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Reuben Cotter
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2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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Lock for Blues is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Maroons is number 13 Max Plath
Interchange
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Interchange for Blues is number 14 Cameron MurrayInterchange for Maroons is number 14 Briton Nikora
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Interchange for Blues is number 15 Victor RadleyInterchange for Maroons is number 15 Lindsay Collins
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Interchange for Blues is number 16 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Maroons is number 16 Patrick Carrigan
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Interchange for Blues is number 17 Blayke BraileyInterchange for Maroons is number 17 Trent Loiero
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Interchange for Blues is number 18 Ethan StrangeInterchange for Maroons is number 18 Ezra Mam
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Interchange for Blues is number 19 Casey McLeanInterchange for Maroons is number 19 Gehamat Shibasaki
Reserves
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Reserve for Blues is number 20 Dylan LucasReserve for Maroons is number 20 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
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