2026 State of Origin Game 2 First Try Scorer Tips - Queensland Tipped to Score First

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Fri 12 Jun 2026 10:39

Ryan Tucker 2 hours ago

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Queensland has scored the first try in 5 of the last 9 Game 2s.
Centres and wingers dominate first try stats—outside backs are top picks.
Jojo Fifita, Briton Nikora, and Kotoni Staggs are the recommended first try scorers.

2026 State of Origin Game 2 First Try Scorer Tips

2026 State of Origin NSW vs QLD Game 2 First Try Scorer Tips

NSW had a horror start to Game 1 with a lot of dropped ball and poor defence, leading to QLD crossing in just the 9th minute through Robert Toia. The Maroons have scored the first try in 5 of the last 9 Game 2’s and also hold an advantage in overall first tries over the last 8 years of Origin footy.

2026 State of Origin NSW vs QLD Game 2 First Try Scorer Tips
Jojo Fifita
Briton Nikora
Kotoni Staggs

The narrative here is that Queensland will once again burst out of the blocks and cross for the first try of the game.

With wingers and centres being the overwhelming majority of first tryscorers, its only natural that we look there again ahead of Game 2, 2026.

In the 28 games played in the last 8 years, a Queensland has scored the first try 15 times, a New South Welshman 13 times
QLD have scored the first try in 5 of the last 9 Game 2’s despite only winning 3 of those matches.
The centres (10) and wingers (10) have naturally dominated the first try scoring category, second-rowers have scored on 4 occasions with no other position scoring first more than once.

Based on these trends and their current try scoring form here are our top 3 picks for the first try scorer in State of Origin Game 2.

Check out our Game 2 Match Predictions and Man of the Match picks.

Jojo Fifita

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Fifita’s strength this season for the Gold Coast Titans has been through the air, Sam Walker can drop a ball on a 5c coin. This was underutilised in Game 1, more due to the nature of the game with Queensland having so much ball in the NSW half. But it has to be a plan for QLD to go to the air, otherwise the question needs to be asked why he is even there.

Briton Nikora

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Nikora has come under fire for retaining his spot in the team. But there is no doubt he has try-scoring potential. 10 tries for the Cronulla Sharks in 2024, 7 in 2025 and 2 already this season. With the NSW outside backs knowing how dangerous the centres and wingers are, there is opportunity for Walker or Munster to slip a short ball or kick through the line, setting up Nikora for a try on the tram lines.

Kotoni Staggs

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Staggs was amazing in Game 1 and was unlucky to not bag a 4-pointer. He has been one of few shining lights for the Brisbane Broncos this season and his running style is one of the most aggressive in the game. His strength means he is able to break tackles, even with 3-4 players hanging off him. Queensland’s edge are not the big body players that can stop a player like Staggs, if the opportunity presents itself again you can almost book him to get the ball over the line.