I managed to spare a bit of time to watch the second half of the first 2026 NRL State of Origin game today.
Firstly, it was meant to be a background thing, and the plan to be getting on with other stuff while it was on actually seemed like a very good idea when I checked the half time score: 6-20.
I later found out that it had been 0-20, so actually, that 6 points was the start of a bit of a comeback.
But as the second half wore on with no additional score (but plenty of mistakes) from each side, I figured that I’d made the right call.
Never give up on a game though. Especially one as passionately partisan as this one.
A particularly nasty shoulder charge to the head, a red card, and suddenly there was momentum, belief and a will to win.
The last twenty minutes had me captivated.
And that it game down to the very last kick of the game to crown “the greatest comeback in Origin history“?
Perfection. What an incredible finish.
If only all sport was that exciting.
(I’ll lob a highlights video up on here as soon as it’s available.)
It’s available:
Wow.