State of Origin II: All You Need to Know Before Kick-Off
New South Wales has the opportunity to reclaim the men’s State of Origin shield this Wednesday night as Game II of the highly anticipated series is set to unfold at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Blues orchestrated a remarkable comeback in Game I, overturning a 20-point deficit to secure victory. A pivotal moment in that match was the send-off of Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga, which significantly altered the game’s trajectory. For Queensland, a win is essential to keep their series aspirations alive ahead of the final match, scheduled to be held in Brisbane. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Game II.
Where to Watch State of Origin Game II
Broadcast rights for the State of Origin series are held by the Nine Network. Game II will be televised live on Channel Nine and available for streaming online via 9Now. For those seeking live updates and commentary, a dedicated live blog will provide continuous coverage of the action. Audio coverage will feature a live call from commentator Andrew Moore, accompanied by expert analysis from Luke Lewis, Matthew Elliot, and John Gibbs, with contributions from Ian Cohen.
State of Origin Game II Kick-Off Times
The scheduled kick-off times for State of Origin Game II are as follows, by region:
- 8:05 PM: New South Wales, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea
- 7:35 PM: South Australia, Northern Territory
- 6:05 PM: Western Australia
- 10:05 PM: New Zealand, Fiji
- 11:05 PM: Samoa, Tonga
- 12:05 AM (Thursday): Cook Islands
Recap of Game I: A Historic Comeback
New South Wales achieved the largest comeback in State of Origin history, rallying from a 20-point deficit to win Game I by a score of 22-20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Queensland established a commanding 20-0 lead in the first half, holding a 20-6 advantage at halftime. However, the complexion of the game dramatically shifted in the 57th minute when Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge that made contact with the head of Blues winger Tolutau Koula. With 12 men for the final 23 minutes, Queensland struggled to defend their 14-point lead. The Blues capitalized, scoring three tries, including a match-winning effort from fullback James Tedesco in the 79th minute, to snatch a dramatic victory.
State of Origin Game II Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Game II will be contested on neutral territory, though the Melbourne Cricket Ground has historically favored New South Wales. This marks the first time the MCG has hosted a State of Origin match since 2024. The venue has a rich history with the series, having hosted six State of Origin clashes, with New South Wales emerging victorious in five of those encounters:
- 1994: NSW def. Queensland 14-0
- 1995: Queensland def. NSW 20-12
- 1997: NSW def. Queensland 15-14
- 2015: NSW def. Queensland 26-18
- 2018: NSW def. Queensland 22-12
- 2024: NSW def. Queensland 38-18
Upcoming State of Origin Fixtures
The State of Origin series continues with Game III scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, at Lang Park in Brisbane, Queensland.
