Men’s State of Origin Game 1 2026 - The Blues Vs The Maroons - 8:05pm Wednesday 27th May - Accor Stadium

I think my team would look something like this. I do feel like im laking speed but I think defensively it's pretty good.

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Campbell Graham
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Brian To'o
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Nathan Cleary (he will be replaced if he is still **** house in this arena)

8. Isaah Yeo
9. Reece Robson
10. Addin Fonua-Blake
11. Hudson Young
12. Haumole Olukuatu
13. Cameron Murray

14. Blayke Brailey
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Keaon Koloamatangi
17. Jackson Ford
18. Strange or even Katoa maybe? This spot has been challenging for me.
19. Tolu Koula
 
waynesworld said:
KP is set to play 7 for QLD. If Trell gets fit he’ll be defending on that side I imagine.
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The teams dont get announced till Monday so he still hasn't been given the 7 unless they have announced officially on social media. But Billy is smart enough to not put him there surely.
 
frankLauda said:
Or he has a plan to somehow hide him in defence? JT was never a great defender. But yeah Ponga still have a poor defensive technique.
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Much easier to do in “big games”. Bit like Cronk playing the GF with a broken scapula. Ok for a GF, the players are up for it and there’s a lot on the line. Similar with origin.

Not a viable option for a season though if that makes sense. Hard to play 24 games a season trying to hide your 7 in defence.

Ponga in origin makes me nervous that he’s gonna cop one of those Sualii on Walsh type moments.
 
Mclovin said:
The teams dont get announced till Monday so he still hasn't been given the 7 unless they have announced officially on social media. But Billy is smart enough to not put him there surely.
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Pete Badel and Travis Meyn get all the mail up in QLD. You’re right I should’ve caveated it saying teams are announced tomorrow and his got a game to get through.
 
waynesworld said:
Pete Badel and Travis Meyn get all the mail up in QLD. You’re right I should’ve caveated it saying teams are announced tomorrow and his got a game to get through.
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The Newy fan in me doesnt want him anywhere near the the defensive line in Origin but the Blue supporter in me wants them to pick him there so we can run over top of him all game 😅
 
They're also saying Reece Walsh on the bench and the Hammer at 1.
Surely just play Ponga or Walsh at 1 and the Hammer at centre.

Haumole running at Ponga all game is scary.

Edit, does Munster defend on the left? Makes even less sense to have Ponga on the right.
Trell running at him if fit.
 
1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Brian To’o
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Reece Robson
10. Isaah Yeo
11. Hudson Young
12. Haumole Olakau’atu
13. Cameron Murray

14. Blayke Brailey
15. Keaon Koloamatangi
16. Mitch Barnett
17. Jackson Ford
18. Ethan Strange
19. Tolutau Koula
 
If Ponga is in the frontline NSW win 13+

Apparently Walsh won’t even start at fullback, it will be the Hammer

Maybe Hamiso will defend at 7?
 
Joel.M said:
If Ponga is in the frontline NSW win 13+

Apparently Walsh won’t even start at fullback, it will be the Hammer

Maybe Hamiso will defend at 7?
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Thats my read to, only way hammer gets a start over walsh is if they plan on playing ponga at back in defense.
 
Was just at the Levels podcast in Brissy, Munster was on and said the choices are outside the square and focused on attack. Being there it sounded a whole lot like Ponga will be in the halves.
 
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