The 2026 State of Origin Series kicks off with Game 1, and the speculation surrounding it has been intense since the team rosters were released ten days prior.
Here's a roundup of the predictions from various sources.
Winner: Queensland
Margin: 16
Man of the match: Cameron Munster
First try-scorer: Harry Grant
Last try-scorer: Robert Toia
Will there be a sin bin?: No
Thursday's headline: Blue MunDay
Winner: New South Wales
Margin: 8
Man of the match: Nathan Cleary
First try-scorer: Tolutau Koula
Last try-scorer: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Will there be a sin bin?: Yes
Thursday's headline: NSW survive late Maroons comeback
Winner: New South Wales
Margin: 10
Man of the match: James Tedesco
First try-scorer: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Last try-scorer: Kotoni Staggs
Will there be a sin bin?: Yes, two, one for each team
Thursday's headline: Teddy time: Veteran silences doubters
Winner: New South Wales
Margin: 6
Man of the match: Nathan Cleary
First try-scorer: Brian To'o
Last try-scorer: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Will there be a sin bin?: Yes
Thursday's headline: NSW overcome Radley sin to win Game 1
Winner: Queensland
Margin: 4
Man of the match: Harry Grant
First try-scorer: Haumole Olakau'atu
Last try-scorer: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Will there be a sin bin?: Yes
Thursday's headline: Six-again bell goes silent as Maroons claim grinding opener
Winner: NSW
Margin: 12
Man of the match: Nathan Cleary
First try-scorer: Brian To'o
Last try-scorer: Jojo Fifita
Will there be a sin bin?: Yes, Victor Radley
Thursday's headline: Stars on parade: NSW right edge causes havoc