Match Report – Queensland 12 – 30 NSW

New South Wales bounce back from a poor game two to wrap up a remarkable 30-12 victory in State of Origin decider in Brisbane; Nathan Cleary scored two tries and added four conversions and a penalty in a player-of-the-match performance

New South Wales pulled off a remarkable 30-12 victory over Queensland in the State of Origin decider at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

The Blues had staged the most almighty comeback in game one for a dramatic 22-20 victory but then Queensland hit back with a dominant win in game two to set up the mouth-watering, winner-takes-all encounter.

New South Wales had a comprehensive 18-4 half-time lead thanks to a Nathan Cleary double and Cameron Murray effort, the former converting all three.

Queensland fired back through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for their only points of the half.

Selwyn Cobbo and Joji Fifita crossed for the the Maroons during the second period but with both efforts unconverted, and New South Wales adding more points through Bradman Best, Hudson Young and player of the match Cleary, the Blues wrapped up a famous win.

They are the fourth New South Wales team to win a decider at the Suncorp Stadium, the home ground of Queensland.

Alongside his player-of-the-match performance, Cleary also picked up the Wally Lewis medal for player of the series.

New South Wales use underdogs tag as fuel for famous victory

A bone-crunching, bruising encounter was expected in this decider and, of course, that is what was delivered as the Maroons and Blues battled for Origin history.

While Queensland were the favourites heading into the contest, the first half was all about New South Wales as Cleary used the criticism he received as fuel for a performance to remember.

After the Maroons then had a try chalked off for players offside in the build-up, a penalty to the Blues had Cleary calling for the kicking tee as he sent one sailing over for a 26-12 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

With no time remaining in the contest, Young put the cherry on top as he played the perfect supporting role and picked up the pop pass to slide in. This time, with the series won, Cleary did not call for the kicking tee as his side soaked in the moment of 30-12 Origin series victory.

Cleary: Never write off a team led by a champion!

Player of the match and series Nathan Cleary:

“It is unbelievable. This group of players are just freaks, I love playing alongside them.

“The belief, we were written off, we came together as a group and I am just pumped.

“A lot of people wrote Laurie [Daley] off but you never write off champions.”

Munster: We will bounce back

Queensland captain Cameron Munster:

“It is always a great spectacle when it is a decider in Brisbane. It is a disappointing result but we will be back next year.

“To Laurie and Yeo and the Blues players, thank you so much for this series.

“To Billy [Slater] and the boys, I know you will be hurting.

“We will be back next series and we will go again.”

Super League 2026 – upcoming key dates

• Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: October 3

Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.