New South Wales has the opportunity to reclaim the State of Origin shield this Wednesday night when Game II of the series unfolds at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The New South Wales Blues staged a remarkable comeback in Game I, overcoming a significant 20-point deficit to secure a victory. A pivotal moment in that match was the send-off of Queensland's fullback, Kalyn Ponga.

For the Queensland Maroons, victory in Game II is essential to keep their hopes alive for the series' final encounter, which is scheduled to be held in Brisbane.

How to Watch Game II

Fans can catch all the action of State of Origin Game II through the Nine Network, which holds the broadcast rights for the series. The match will be televised on Channel Nine and also available for live streaming via the 9Now platform.

For those preferring audio coverage, ABC Sport will be providing a live blog of the game. Additionally, their live call will feature commentator Andrew Moore, alongside expert analysis from Luke Lewis, Matthew Elliot, and John Gibbs, with Ian Cohen also contributing.

Kick-Off Times for Game II

The scheduled kick-off time for State of Origin Game II varies by region:

8:05 PM: New South Wales, Queensland, ACT, 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 (following day): Cook Islands

Recap of Game I

The first game of the series saw New South Wales achieve what is believed to be the largest comeback in State of Origin history, defeating Queensland 22-20 at Sydney's Stadium Australia.

Queensland established a commanding 20-0 lead in the initial half and held a 20-6 advantage at halftime. The complexion of the game shifted dramatically in the 57th minute when Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga received a red card for a shoulder charge that impacted Blues winger Tolutau Koula's head.

With only 12 players for the remaining 23 minutes, Queensland struggled to maintain their lead. However, the Blues capitalized, scoring three tries, including a match-winning effort from fullback James Tedesco in the 79th minute, to snatch the victory.

Game II Venue and History

State of Origin Game II will be contested at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a neutral venue. Historical data indicates a strong record for the Blues at this location, which is hosting a State of Origin match for the first time since 2024.

The MCG has been the site for six State of Origin encounters, with New South Wales emerging victorious in five of those contests.

Previous State of Origin matches at the MCG:

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 Fixtures

Following Game II, the series will conclude with Game III.

Game III: Wednesday, July 8, Lang Park, Brisbane, Queensland.