State of Origin 2026 line-ups: Predicted NSW and QLD teams for Game I in Sydney

It’s less than a month until NSW and Queensland selectors announce their squads for Game I of the 2026 State of Origin series.

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As always opinions are divided about who deserves a spot for the all-important series opener — and who doesn’t — with debate already swirling around the form and credentials of some of the NRL’s biggest names.

Results versus loyalty. Club form versus rep form. Youth versus experience. All valid arguments. All impossible to know for sure until the whistle blows at Accor Stadium on May 27.

That said, here’s what we’re thinking right now for the 19-man squads. 

Let the arguments begin…

NSW Blues Predicted Line-Up: Game I 

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Casey McLean
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Brian To’o 
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas*
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Addin Fonua-Blake
11. Hudson Young
12. Angus Crichton
13. Isaah Yeo (c)

14. Api Koroisau
15. Cameron Murray
16. Terrell May
17. Matt Burton
18. Spencer Leniu
19. Jacob Preston

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Dylan Edwards has started 2026 brilliantly and deserves to hold his spot at the back ahead of an unlucky James Tedesco. While the try-scoring form of Tom Jenkins seems irresistible, the Panthers winger has also spilled several bombs at the back lately — something Billy Slater will have absolutely noticed — and Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz could get his chance for the series opener after being close in 2025. Mark Nawaqanitawase is another option and could provide real big game X-factor. Stephen Crichton gets one centre spot with Latrell Mitchell and Casey McLean set to fight for the other. We’re going with McLean. Five-eighth is tricky with the Eels’ poor start to 2026 potentially counting against Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai only just back from injury for the Tigers. We’re sticking with Moses, but only just, and picking Matt Burton as halves cover ahead of Luai due to his versatility. Hooker is one of the most contested positions for the Blues with incumbent Reece Robson under intense pressure from Blayke Brailey and Api Koroisau. Any of the trio would do a good job but we’re leaning towards Brailey who deserves his shot after being close in 2025 with Koroisau coming off the bench. In the engine room Payne Haas is under an injury cloud with an MCL. If he’s fit he’s the first man picked with Tongan international Addin Fonua-Blake is his likely partner thanks to the new eligibility rules. Terrell May was on the outer in 2025 but given the Tigers’ strong start to 2026 he could come right into calculations this time. We’ll have him in the 19 to provide serious impact off the bench. In the back row loyalty will probably get the nod for Game I but Angus Crichton and Isaah Yeo will need to perform or risk losing their starting spots later in the series with Jacob Preston, Cameron Murray and Spencer Leniu breathing down their necks.

QLD Maroons Predicted Line-Up: Game I 

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Xavier Coates
3. Robert Toia
4. Dane Gagai
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Cameron Munster (c)
7. Tom Dearden
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9. Harry Grant
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Briton Nikora
12. David Fifita
13. Reuben Cotter 

14. Trent Loiero
15. Pat Carrigan
16. Max Plath
17. Ezra Mam
18. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 
19. Jaxon Purdue

With Reece Walsh almost certainly out for May 27 it will be interesting to see what the Maroons do with their back three. Xavier Coates would be a shoe-in for one of the wing spots under normal circumstances but he’s missed a huge amount of footy so far in 2026 and will only just be back when the teams are announced. He’s a risk in Game I and it’s a similar story with Knights No.1 Kaylan Ponga. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be there of course, but where? We’re going with fullback — unless Ponga is fully fit, in which case the Hammer moves into the centres. Valentine Holmes’ form has been poor for the struggling Dragons and there are real question marks around whether he deserves a spot but it wouldn’t surprise if Queensland still picks him, it’s what they do. That said, we can’t have him and have gone for Selwyn Cobbo on the wing. In the centres long-time Maroons favourite Dane Gagai has turned back the clock for the Knights this season and edges out Gehamat Shibasaki for Game I. Jack Howarth was some chance based on last season, but pays the price for the Storm’s poor recent run. On the flip side we’re including Cowboys young gun Jaxon Purdue on the six-man bench — a future Origin star if ever there was one. The Maroons shape as being a little small in the forwards, but that hasn’t stopped them in the past. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Harry Grant will be there (obviously) but the make-up of the rest of the starting pack is open to plenty of debate. Lindsay Collins has been a loyal Queensland servant for many years and for that reason we’re starting him in the front row with the ever-reliable Reuben Cotter staying at lock. Without the size of the NSW forwards, we’re picking two mobile second rowers in David Fifita and Briton Nikora with Pat Carrigan and Trent Loiero to provide impact off the bench. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been in good form for the Phins and gets the nod ahead of Titans bolter Arama Hau. Max Plath’s ability to play multiple positions wins him a bench spot ahead of Kurt Mann.

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State of Origin 2026: Match Schedule