Cobbo's Hat-Trick Lifts Queensland Over NSW in Game 2 — Nsw Blues Vs Queensland Maroons

Selwyn Cobbo’s hat-trick lifted Queensland past NSW in nsw blues vs queensland maroons on June 17, 2026, and pushed the State of Origin series to a decider in three weeks. The Maroons stayed alive with a game 2 win, while the Blues came up short after trying to finish the series on the night.

Cobbo’s three-try night

Cobbo said he was "Very proud of the boys tonight, especially the middles - they did all the hard work and I just did my role for the team" after the match. He added, "Throughout the week, he sees me training on my own and doing extras and it pays off in the game... I’m working behind the scenes."

He finished by calling it a collective effort: "I’m proud of the whole group of boys tonight, it’s a team effort." That fit the night he produced, with Queensland leaning on his finishing to turn pressure into points and keep the series alive.

Staggs’ sin bin swing

The Blues’ task got harder when Kotoni Staggs was sin binned for a high tackle on Kalyn Ponga. That moment gave Queensland a cleaner path through a stretch that also featured Sam Walker starring again for the Maroons.

James Tedesco did not hide the tone of the defeat. "It’s hard to put my finger on... I think they out-enthused us in most areas," he said after the game. He also said NSW wanted to finish the series in game 2, but now had to regroup for the decider.

Lockyer and Munster

Darren Lockyer pointed to the gap between the sides with a blunt summary: "You can tell which team needed to win and which team had another chance," he said. He also said there was one clear difference between the teams, a view that matched the way Queensland handled the back-end of the match.

Cameron Munster echoed that after the win. "I like the way we dug deep and played our best footy at the back-end," he said, adding, "I had so much belief in this group. Everyone talks about pressure... but simpler the game plan, simpler the mindset. I’m really proud of the boys."

The result leaves both teams heading for a third and final match in three weeks, with Queensland carrying the momentum of Cobbo’s hat-trick and NSW left to answer for a night where its captain said the Blues were out-enthused in most areas.