Blues storm back in Origin classic as Cleary and Tedesco break Queensland hearts

More than 80,000 fans packed Accor Stadium and they were rewarded with a State of Origin classic as New South Wales pulled off a stunning late comeback to beat Queensland 22-20 in Sydney on Wednesday night.

The Maroons looked set to silence the Blues crowd early after racing to a 20-6 halftime lead through a fast, clinical opening spell led by Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, and debutant halfback Sam Walker.

Walker announced himself on the Origin stage with a composed performance, setting up Queensland’s opening try with a clever grubber kick for Robert Toia before converting all three first-half tries.

The Maroons piled pressure on NSW through aggressive defence, sharp kicking and repeated Blues errors. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow also crossed after Munster sliced through the defence with another perfectly weighted kick.

Queensland’s dominance left NSW stunned at 20-0 before the Blues finally found life through a Nathan Cleary grubber for Hudson Young to score late in the first half.

The turning point came after a huge hit from debutant Ethan Strange on Munster sparked the Blues back into the contest and lifted the Sydney crowd.

Watch NSW's Hudson Young score the hosts' first try below.

Queensland still controlled much of the second half but the game exploded after Ponga was sent off following a heavy collision with Koula in the 58th minute.

The Blues immediately lifted with the extra man advantage and began throwing everything at the Maroons.

Strange crossed first to cut the margin before Cleary took control of the match with his kicking game and calm leadership.

Referee Ashley Klein gives Kalyn Ponga his marching orders in the second half. Photo/Facebook/NRL

The NSW halfback produced a brilliant 40-20 before burrowing over himself to bring the Blues within four points with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Queensland defended desperately as wave after wave of NSW attack came at them. But the pressure finally broke in the dying moments.

With just over a minute left, Cleary launched a towering bomb towards the posts where Blues captain James Tedesco rose above the pack to snatch the ball and score one of the most dramatic tries in Origin history.

Cleary calmly slotted the conversion to complete the comeback and send the Sydney crowd into celebration.

Munster, Ponga, and Walker were outstanding for Queensland while Cleary, Tedesco, and Strange inspired the Blues revival in the second half.

Watch Blues' captain James Tedesco score the winning try below.

Game Two of the 2026 Men’s State of Origin series will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, 17 June before the series concludes at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 8 July.

NSW have also already secured the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series after beating Queensland 11-6 in Newcastle before backing it up with a 14-10 win at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, with game three to be played on the Gold Coast tonight (Thursday) at 9.45pm (NZT).

For more on State of Origin action, click here.

Photo/Facebook/NRL