The State of Origin series hangs in the balance after a controversial Game 2 saw Queensland edge New South Wales 26-24 in a thriller that left Blues fans wondering what might have been. Goal kicking emerged as the critical difference, with New South Wales missing seven out of nine conversions across both games – leaving 14 potential points unconverted and proving the difference between victory and defeat.

Queensland's Cameron Munster led brilliantly as captain while Harry Grant redeemed himself after a poor showing in Game 1. The Maroons' aggressive first-half display built a commanding 24-6 lead before a spirited Blues comeback fell agonizingly short. Questions about refereeing decisions linger, particularly with an 8-0 penalty count and several missed calls that significantly impacted the contest.

Beyond Origin, Round 16 of the NRL delivered surprises galore – the Panthers defeated the Warriors in New Zealand without their Origin stars, the Knights continued their resurgence by defeating the Dolphins, and the Eels found form without their star halves. Perhaps most remarkable is the incredible tightness of the competition, with just four points separating 5th place from 16th with eleven rounds remaining. We break down each match while looking ahead to Round 17's fixtures.

We're also gearing up for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, analyzing their opening loss to Argentina and what it means for their chances down under. As we prepare to head west for their match against Western Force in Perth, we discuss expectations, key players, and what makes this once-every-twelve-year tour so special. Follow our journey across Australia as we attend six matches throughout the tour, bringing you analysis and behind-the-scenes content along the way!

Diving deep into the mid-season NRL team reviews, we hand out report cards for all 17 clubs and analyse what's going right and wrong across the competition.

• Performance of the week goes to Kieran Foran and Jayden Campbell for shutting down Manly's attack through defensive pressure
• Jack Bostock earns recognition for his four-try performance for the Dolphins
• Manly's struggles continue with questionable decisions to play injured Tom Trbojevic
• The Titans parked the bus effectively against Manly, exposing their one-dimensional attack
• Dolphins continue their scoring rampage with 158 points in three games
• Bulldogs defeat Rabbitohs in a lightning-interrupted match
• Mid-season grades: A+ for Warriors and Raiders who've exceeded all expectations
• Panthers receive an F
• Train etiquette in Australia compared to London becomes our "whinge of the week"
• Round 16 predictions focus on how Origin players will back up from Perth

Join us next week as we recap State of Origin and analyse how teams adjust during the representative period.

BONUS Origin 2 Preview! With this weeks full episode being released on Thursday, we break down the upcoming State of Origin Game 2 match in Perth, exploring team changes, tactical decisions, and our predictions for what promises to be a crucial encounter.

Can't wait to see if our predictions hold true or if we end up with egg on our faces after Origin 2!