Summary
Well, what a night down in Melbourne in front of a bumper crowd. The Blues controlled the game for most of the night, but there were some patches that the Maroons and their fans will take a lot of heart from. Suncorp Stadium is always a very difficult place for the Blues to win, but they showed tonight that they’re capable of taking on a hostile crowd. The big focus for the Blues will be their discipline and reducing their penalty count going into the decider. Their kicking game was the huge highlight tonight, so they will look to further hone that over the next three weeks. Having Latrell Mitchell back seemed to spark a lot of heart and they looked like a team who can do whatever they set their minds to.
For the Maroons, the focus will be on their start after that disastrous first half. But they will be pleased that they were able to rally and refused to be held to zero. Their kicking game was not at the same level as the Blues’ and they were unable to create a lot of attacking opportunities – even in the second half, they were relying on penalties and repeat sets for their momentum. They have plenty to work on, but they are Queensland and no doubt they will work on it and come out better and stronger than ever.
It sets up a tantalising decider, but before we get there, we have another Origin decider! Tomorrow night it’s Game 3 for the women in their first ever three-game Origin series and so far the teams are locked at 1-1. Join me tomorrow night as we see who will hold up the shield at the end of an intriguing series. Until then good night and make sure you stay hydrated for a huge game tomorrow!
Player of the Match: Mitchell Moses
Moses is a well deserved player of the match with an outstanding performance and kicking game tonight. He’s incredibly proud of his team and the win.
“I felt we just had a simple game plan, we stuck to it, got to our spots, kicked to the corners and played simple footy. It was a bit of silly stuff in the second half that probably hurt us. Probably should have went away with the game a bit more. We learn from that, take it into Game 3.”
He also revealed some of his preparation for playing on the G:
“I asked a couple of the AFL boys before I come out here just what it’s like to kick. Yeah, it’s a big swirl around here. Just had to come out early and get a feel of my surroundings.”
Jack Snape is at the MCG tonight and he has wrapped up the game for us on a historic night for the Blues.
Dylan Edwards was outstanding for the Blues on debut and he was very happy to come away with the win.
“It was awesome. We laid the platform early. Had a really good first half. Obviously some things to fix up in the second half. Now we have to go up to Suncorp for the decider.”
Equally Cherry-Evans is disappointed with what his team put out on the field tonight.
“They were really good with the ball tonight. We made a lot of errors and they took great advantage of it. They were ready to play tonight. We got what we deserved.”
Latrell Mitchell is very happy with his team’s performance tonight and is looking forward to the challenge of Game 3.
“We keep showing up, keep working on what we were trying to working on what we were trying to work on there. We’ve got a couple of weeks to go to prepare for that. We’ll talk when we get to camp.”
Full time: NSW 38-18 QLD
A huge night of Origin – despite a weaker second half, NSW’s first half was so incredibly dominant that they set up a win and sent the match to a decider in Brisbane in three weeks. NSW will want to get their discipline under control – they gave away a lot of penalties in the second half and Martin will almost certainly get a stint on the sideline after going on report twice in the match. Winning at Suncorp Stadium will be a huge ask for the Blues, but they showed tonight they are up to the challenge.
78 mins: The Maroons try to make good on likely their second last opportunity and put up a big kick, but To’o fields it comfortably. Angus Crichton keeps the Blues powering up the field and it takes four Maroons to shut him down. Luai puts up a long kick and the Maroons get maybe their final chance to score as they push down field, but again To’o fields the kick.
76 mins: The Maroons will want to finish this game strongly to try to take some momentum into Game 3. They make a good line break down the left hand side and put up a good kick, but the Blues are up to the challenge.
74 mins: Finally the Blues get a penalty and they will look to take advantage of it. They power down towards the Maroons line, but they are ruled to lose the ball in the play the ball and the Maroons get a reprieve.
72 mins: Some very fast and fancy passing from the Blues gets Queensland on the back foot, but they hold their line. Moses puts in a deft kick in behind the defence, but the Maroons clean up the scraps and get out of danger. Official attendance tonight is 90,084 – the second biggest Origin crowd ever.
70 mins: The penalty gave the Maroons great position and after a strong set, the Blues got a touch on the ball and they got another six tackles inside the 10m line, which led to that try. The Blues kick off again and the Maroons get another shot, but a knock on gives the ball back to the Blues.
GOAL! NSW 38-18 QLD
Holmes adds another two points and this is a very high scoring Origin match indeed!
TRY! NSW 38-16 QLD
A big double pump fake from Cherry-Evans fools the Blues’ defenders and Taulagi goes over in the corner.
66 mins: A lot of fancy ballwork from NSW in this set, but it doesn’t lead to a try and the Maroons start their set deep in the Blues’ half. Mitchell makes a HUGE tackle that gets the Blues even more fired up, but at the end of the set Martin gives away yet another penalty with a late shoulder charge on Cherry-Evans.
64 mins: Queensland attempt a short kick off, but they can’t execute and NSW get the ball back. There’s fire back in the Blues now after a bit of a lull while the Maroons were in attack mode and Edwards gets things started with a great run.
62 mins: Angus Crichton gets NSW back into the action with a huge tackle on Holmes that forces a forward pass. Both players are back from the sin bin and NSW have their first good piece of field position in some time and they take advantage of it.
TRY! NSW 38-12 QLD
NSW get back into the scoring action through Edwards with a beautiful step from a great pass from Moses.
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60 mins: Danger times for NSW now and Queensland are looking very confident as they explode into their set from the kick off.
GOAL! NSW 34-12 QLD
Another speedy conversion from Holmes and Queensland are on the march!
TRY! NSW 34-10 QLD
Well we didn’t think Tabuai-Fidow was coming back this match, but he’s back in a big way, pouncing on a great banana kick to score under the post!
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58 mins: Queensland start their set with a great line break and get down to the Blues’ 20m line on the fifth tackle. They try to run it down the left edge, but mistime the pass and it goes into touch. The Blues won’t want to give away too much more possession or field position, so this set will be important for them. There’s a huge kick at the end of the set and Lomax gets to it first, but it’s a double knock on ruled with NSW as the first touch, but there’s another captain’s challenge from the Blues. This one is unsuccessful and the Maroons get the ball back.
56 mins: Yet another penalty for Queensland, this time for a flop in the tackle from Crichton. Queensland definitely have the momentum this half.
54 mins: Coates comes desperately close to scoring for the Maroons, but a whole bunch of Blues push him backwards and they have to make another attempt. Cherry-Evans puts in a good kick and gets a line drop out from it. Mitchell puts in a good kick for the drop out, but finally Queensland score.
GOAL! NSW 34-6 QLD
They’re not mucking around out there, they take the conversion very quickly and go two points closer to the Blues.
TRY! NSW 34-4 QLD
Repeat sets finally gets the Maroons over the line and Nanai opens the scoring for Queensland.
52 mins: Crichton is penalised for a grapple tackle, but Cherry-Evans doesn’t care for it and he lashes out at Crichton’s face. There’s no punishment for him however, but the referee does one of those “If it happens again you’re both in the bin” talks. Queensland immediately loses the ball from the penalty and now there’s a huge fight and referee Klein tries to stop it by saying “Guys, cut it out” which seems unlikely to work. So instead he’s decided to make good on his threat of sending two players to the bin. Martin gets sent there for the terrible crime of rubbing a player on the head, while Carrigan is the nominated player for Queensland. Queensland also get a penalty out of all this somehow? After losing the ball in that last play – I guess that head pat from Martin was a real doozy. Moses is then penalised for a late tackle on Walsh, it’s all really happening now, Klein has decided he’s going to be the main character of this game.
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50 mins: The ground announcer is trying to get the Queenslander chant started, but Victorians will only go so far in their support of the Maroons. Dearden loses the ball in the tackle for the Maroons and again they give up good field position. The Blues put in a good attacking kick to end the set, then a second kick before the Maroons scoop it up.
48 mins: The Blues scurry out of Maroons’ territory as quickly as they can – they’re still hungry to score points and don’t want to rest on their laurels. But they try too hard to make something happen and knock the ball on. The second half is looking much more even, if only it wasn’t for the 34-point headstart the Blues have.
46 mins: An error from NSW compounds the penalty, as Edwards knocks on trying to pick up the kick at the end of Queensland’s set. This is easily the best opportunity the Maroons have had all night – what can they do with it? NSW force another mistake though and get the ball back before Queensland can do much of anything with it.
44 mins: Good defence from both teams to start the half. But unfortunately Mitchell gives away a penalty for a high tackle and he is also on report. It gives Queensland a chance for more field position and they dash down the field, but NSW stays strong in defence.
42 mins: Well, what have the coaches said at half-time and will it have any bearing on how this second half plays out? As I said earlier, we never write off Queensland, but Billy Slater would have had to have given a hell of a speech to get his team back in the contest. Both teams come through their first sets of the half unscathed and the match looks steadier than it did late in the first half.
We’re back underway for the second half, Queensland have kicked off and there’s just 40 mins to go in this contest.
There are simply too many NSW tries to relive them all during this short break, but I think this Latrell Mitchell one was pretty special and since we’ve just been talking about him, you can enjoy some of his special magic here.
TRELL MIT 🔵#Origin pic.twitter.com/QM5zMi20jP
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
James Campbell over on the platform they want us to call X is enjoying the Latrell Mitchell show so far – something I’m sure all Blues fans can relate to tonight!
the strength and sleight of hand of Mitchell fantastic.
— James Campbell (@JimCam73) June 26, 2024
Half-time: NSW 34-0 QLD
This is the biggest half-time lead in Origin history – the previous record was Queensland ahead 21-0, so it’s an incredibly significant lead. NSW have staged an ambush in Melbourne with relentless attacking play. It was all set up from that initial try that followed a 13 tackle set inside the Maroons’ 10m line, followed by a line drop out that led to the try. The pressure they put Queensland under and the fatigue they caused in their opposition opened the floodgates and the Blues have taken advantage of it. An incredible display of attacking rugby league so far. Let’s see what the second half has in store!
GOAL! NSW 34-0 QLD
Lomax has another attempt from the right and he corrects this time to send it sailing over to convert his own try.
TRY! NSW 32-0 QLD
A second try to Lomax, with a simple dive over the line after Edwards finds some space and gets it out to Crichton to set up the try.
38 mins: This is the best field position Queensland has seen in some time but they immediately turn the ball over through an intercept to Crichton he sprints 80m down the field and again NSW is in try-scoring position. Queensland can do nothing except defend with desperation. Walsh manages to stop another try, but he gives away a line drop out.
36 mins: A massive run from Leniu early in NSW’s set shows exactly what he wants to bring to this game. They’re on the front foot once again, but we take a little pause because Grant from Queensland is gushing blood from his face after a head clash with his own teammate Cotter. They wrap his head up and we’re back on. Queensland gets a penalty after Martin is offside for the Blues – can they make use of the field position this time? NSW give away another penalty, this time a tackle over the parallel from Martin again and he’s on report.
GOAL! NSW 28-0 QLD
Lomax is getting some good practice on this left wing and once again he sends it sailing over the black dot for another two points.
TRY! NSW 26-0 QLD
What?? Another try?? That’s right, once again a fantastic line break, Crichton gets a brilliant offload away to Edwards, then Mitchell finishes it off with a huge dive for the line.
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32 mins: Another set for Queensland starting deep within their own territory, but finally they get a penalty so they have a chance to get some field position at last. They’re looking quite shellshocked, but what do we always say? Never write Queensland off. Never. Even though they just lost the ball early in the set after the penalty. I still won’t write them off. Spencer Leniu has come on the field for NSW, let’s see what he can add to this game.
30 mins: NSW almost have their first incomplete set with an incorrect play the ball, but the Blues decide to use their captain’s challenge. The bunker rules in the Blues’ favour saying there was ruck interference, so they get to continue the set and everything is coming up Blue. I can’t believe we’re only 30 mins in to be honest, this has been a whirlwind!
28 mins: Queensland manage a legal kick off this time, so that’s an improvement for them, well done boys.
GOAL! NSW 22-0 QLD
Lomax gets another go from the left hand side and he makes no mistake, adding the two points.
TRY! NSW 20-0 QLD
Well this is an absolute bloodbath (blue bath? Is that something?) Moses puts in a deft kick after the penalty and To’o dives on it and scores in the corner again.
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26 mins: Oh dear, things have gone from bad to worse for Queensland, with their kick off going out on the full, giving NSW a penalty from halfway. And in even worse news, Tabuai-Fidow has left the field with a shoulder injury and won’t return tonight.
24 mins: Incredible ball speed set up that try – Lomax couldn’t convert his own try, but NSW are flying high and will be very happy with the lead.
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TRY! NSW 16-0 QLD
An incredible kick from Moses is finished off with a sensational leap from Lomax and he puts it down in the corner.
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22 mins: A sensational kick from Moses dribbles into touch and allows NSW to set ip their defence from the start of the set, deep in Blues territory. Queensland are behind on the scoreboard, but they’re not playing terribly so far, they just haven’t had the possession that NSW have. But just as I say that, they concede a penalty and give NSW yet more possession and territory.
20 mins: NSW have had 64% of the possession so far and they have made excellent use of it. They show great intent in their set from the restart – it’s strong, yet patient play from them.
GOAL! NSW 12-0 QLD
A tougher kick for Lomax this time, but he bends it like Beckham and it goes through the sticks.
TRY! NSW 10-0 QLD
The line drop out pays dividends and Latrell Mitchell sets up a try for Brian To’o right out in the corner.
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18 mins: Luai puts in a lovely kick for the Blues and it allows the defenders to put a lot of pressure on Tabuai-Fidow, dragging him back into the in goal before the momentum stops and getting themselves a line drop out.
16 mins: A lovely scurrying run from Robson for the Blues keeps the set moving and then there’s a huge defensive effort from the kick with a huge hit on Coates. The Maroons make a run through Walsh, but they can’t convert it into points and Taulangi puts a kick in that’s too long and the Blues get to start from the 20m line.
14 mins: The Blues start very deep in their own half – Queensland’s defence looks even more determined after missing out on scoring the opening points. It’s a good set from the Blues and the Maroons respond with a steady set in return.
12 mins: NSW starts the set just inside the 30m line and they try again to get over the line and this time they’re successful. QLD kicks off and the Blues go again.
GOAL! NSW 6-0 QLD
Zac Lomax knocks it over to put NSW six points ahead.
TRY! NSW 4-0 QLD
The wave of NSW attack finally gets through the Maroon wall and Liam Martin breaks through to score for the Blues.
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10 mins: NSW manages to get six more tackles within the Maroons’ 10m and then after four tackles, they get another set restart. There is an absolute Maroon wall in front of the tryline though and it’s almost impossible to get through. They eventually put up a kick and force a line drop out.
8 mins: That rain we spoke about earlier has started to fall – it’s quite light at the moment. The Blues get a penalty for a high tackle on Angus Crichton, which puts them in great attacking territory. An offload catches Trbojevic off guard but he holds on.
6 mins: An early kick from Hunt with a 40/20 attempt, but the Blues manage to pick up the scraps before the ball can find touch. Crichton makes a great tackle break for the Blues and tries to get a pass away to Lomax, but the referee rules it has gone forward and the Maroons get the scrum feed deep in Blues territory. A few scrappy passes from the Maroons, but they hold on to it. Su’A makes a fantastic break, which the Blues manage to cut it off and get the ball back at the end of the set.
4 mins: Walsh makes a great tackle break to set up a good finish to the set for the Maroons, but the Blues are able to shut him down with good speed from Moses to set up another steady set. The defence has been solid from both teams in this opening few minutes.
2 mins: Strong defence off the kick off for NSW, showing some real intent to try to hold Queensland down their end – just a 37m gain from the Maroons’ first set. In return, the Blues make a slightly longer gain of 41m, but from a good start get their kick right down their own end and there’s a big clash of bodies after the kick but the Maroons come up with it.
We’re off! Zac Lomax kicks off for the Blues and the Maroons run the ball up.
Aunty Joy Murphy delivers a beautiful Welcome to Country on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung land. We’ve now got the national anthem underway and kick off is imminent.
The teams are now entering the field for the pre-match ceremony. There’s a huge roar for the Maroons as they’re led out by Daly Cherry-Evans. The Blues get a much more frosty reception. Though maybe the crowd is shouting Boo-lues and not boo? We can never be certain.
Superstar NBA player Patty Mills is delivering the game ball in a Maroons jersey, which is apparently a thing that happens now. Hopefully we’ll see him doing some warm ups with a Steeden before an NBA game at some point in the near future.
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We’re getting so close to kick off I can almost touch it – the atmosphere inside the MCG is looking pretty epic. Current temp in Melbourne is approximately 11 degrees and no rain currently in the area, though there’s a little patch on the radar that could hit at some point.
Latrell Mitchell is one of the big ins for NSW and once again Jack Snape has us covered with all you need to know about his likely impact on the game and what his presence on the field will mean for the Blues.
So, what do we make of these teams? Remember you can always email me or tweet at me – links are are the top of the page.
Some big changes from NSW after the disappointment of Game One – Edwards comes into fullback for James Tedesco, Mitchell is in the centres replacing Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i and Moses replaces Nicho Hynes in halfback. While in the forward pack, there’s been one Cameron M in for another, with Cameron Murray coming in at lock for Cameron McInnes. Hudson Yeo also drops off the bench for Connor Watson.
The Maroons have remained much more settled, predictably after such a good result. The only change has been to their bench with Kaufusi and Capewell in for J’maine Hopgood and Selwyn Cobbo.
We’ve got just over half an hour until kick off, so I hope you’re staying hydrated and ready to get things underway very soon.
Team List: Queensland
1. Reece Walsh
2. Xavier Coates
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Reuben Cotter
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Jaydn Su’A
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Patrick Carrigan
Bench
14. Harry Grant
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Felise Kaufusi
17. Kurt Capewell
Reserve
18. Dane Gagai
Team List: NSW
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To’o
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Zac Lomax
6. Jarome Luai
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Jake Trbojevic (c)
9. Reece Robson
10. Payne Haas
11. Liam Martin
12. Angus Crichton
13. Cameron Murray
Bench
14. Connor Watson
15. Isaah Yeo
16. Haumole Olakau’atu
17. Spencer Leniu
Reserve
18. Mitchell Barnett
If you want to get caught up on all the key details before kick off, the always excellent Jack Snape has got you covered with this match preview
The Blues and Maroons are in the house at the MCG!
Game faces 🔛#Origin pic.twitter.com/choZRXWVUo
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
Preamble
Welcome to Origin II – a match between NSW and Queensland that is being played in Victoria. The first game was a bit of an anti-climax, though maybe not if you’re a Queenslander. A very early sending off for NSW meant they played the majority of the game with 12 players and they were already up against it to win and couldn’t really afford to have any further disadvantage. If I was coaching the Blues tonight I would probably recommend not trying to knock a player’s head off and finding yourselves down a player, but maybe that’s just me? Let’s see if they go for that tactic tonight.
Melbourne is proposed as a “neutral” venue, but in reality, it functions like a Queensland home game. If you ever encounter a Victorian who goes for the Blues, you will likely discover that they were secretly born in NSW and have been working hard to cover it up for many years. Anyone born in Victoria automatically hates NSW and so naturally becomes extremely passionate about the state of Queensland whenever this series comes around. Add to that the fact that Storm players generally originate from Queensland (or are good enough at pretending they are to fool the selectors) and this game is locked in as a Maroons fortress.
Of course, whether or not that makes a difference to the result is yet to be seen, but the Maroons will be embracing the home ground advantage, while the Blues will be using it to reinforce their underdog status (if you’re new to Origin, both teams will always claim to be the underdog at all times – this is extremely important to our culture).
We’ve got just over an hour until kick off, so get yourself some snacks, settle in and let’s get ready to Origin!
