Large sections of that story seem entirely made up. I didn’t see any glitches on either the broadcast signal or the 9Now stream.
And Nine did not miss the first try. They missed part of the kick-only.
See:
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Will be the biggest ratings event of the year 
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NRLW 2026 EVERY GAME FREE ON NINE
WATCH NRLW GAME LIVE AND FREE ON THE 9NETWORK AND 9NOW
BEGINS THURSDAY, JULY 2
The 2026 Telstra NRLW season is ready for lift off and every game is available live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now, beginning with Sharks v Knights in primetime this Thursday, July 2 at 7.30pm AEST.
Nine’s Wide World of Sports will deliver unprecedented access to the 12-team competition where fans won’t miss a single second across all 11 rounds of the regular season, the 6-team Finals Series all the way through to the Grand Final on Sunday, October 4.
The defending champion Brisbane Broncos enter the season as the hunted, bolstered by the marquee signings of Dally M Halfback of the Year Jesse Southwell alongside Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton. Looking to dethrone them are the Sydney Roosters, spearheaded by Isabelle Kelly and the returning Millie Elliott, and the Cronulla Sharks with Tiana Penitani-Gray leading the way.
Hot on their heals for a spot in the finals is Jaime Chapman and rugby sevens star Teagan Levi at the Gold Coast Titans, Yasmin Meakes and the Newcastle Knights, lightning fast Teagan “Flash” Berry and the Dragons, Kennedy Cherrington’s Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors, Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers ready to shake up the competition.
Hosted by Bronte Gildea, Nine’s NRLW commentary team features the biggest names in the game with international rugby league representatives Ruan Sims, Millie Elliott, and Allana Ferguson, plus NRL premiership winners Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, sideline reporters Marlee Silva and commentators Brenton Speed, Peter Psaltis, Mat Thompson and Anthony Maroon.
Nine Head of Partnerships and Strategy, Simon Fordham, said: "Nine is the home of NRLW and we’re excited to be broadcasting every NRLW game live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now, as we continue to grow with the premier women’s football competition in Australia and New Zealand.
"Every year these athletes and teams rise to a new level and we’re committed to showcasing their stories both on the field and off, with our dedicated women’s rugby league show NRLWRAP joining our line up as well.”
Nine’s Allana Ferguson with players from every 2026 NRLW team ahead of Round 1
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: ROUND 1
All times AEST - Check local guides for details
Thursday, July 2
Sharks v Knights 7.30pm AEST LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Saturday, July 4
Titans v Roosters 12.30pm AEST LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD stream free on 9Now
NRLWRAP: Women’s dedicated rugby league show
Join Bronte Gildea, Millie Elliott, Ruan Sims, Allana Ferguson and Marlee Silva for all the latest news from the NRLW. This week NSW Blues players Kennedy Cherrington and Yasmin Meakes join the show.
Dragons v Raiders 3.15pm AEST LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Broncos v Cowboys 5.15pm AEST LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Sunday, July 5
Eels v Tigers 11.45am AEST LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Warriors v Bulldogs 1.45pm AEST LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
**EVERY 2026 NRLW GAME IS
LIVE AND FREE ON THE 9NETWORK
WATCH ON CHANNEL 9, STREAM ON 9NOW**
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9 called the first 2 NRLW games from the studio yesterday utilising Ruan Sims, Alana Ferguson and Peter Psaltis for both.
Drury Forbes did the Broncos vs Cowboys game.
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This Origin decider promo aired just before the 4pm kick off today.
Wonder what the QLD version was?
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Queensland got the same promo as posted above.
The NSW one seems a bit desperate - amounting to a pep talk from Gus 
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STATE OF ORIGIN: THE DECIDER
EXCLUSIVE ON NINE
QUEENSLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES - WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
LATRELL MITCHELL, PATTY CARRIGAN AND LIAM MARTIN TONIGHT ON 100% FOOTY
Immortality awaits in Ampol State of Origin III - The Decider when the series is on the line between Queensland and New South Wales - exclusive, live and free on Channel 9HD and 9Now - Wednesday, July 8, from 7.00pm AEST.
Billy Slater’s Queensland Maroons have the wind behind their sails following a dominant game two victory, as they look to clinch back-to-back series wins at a sold out Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane in front of a wave of Maroon. Paving Queensland’s path to glory will be Cameron Munster, Sam Walker, Kalyn Ponga and Harry Grant.
While the NSW Blues have a mountain to climb, faced with the challenge of winning the series at a hostile Suncorp Stadium against a Maroons side with an unchanged starting line up and plenty of confidence.
Opportunity awaits for a lasting legacy if the Blues can upset the Queensland party when Nathan Cleary, Payne Haas, James Tedesco, Stephen Crichton and captain Isaah Yeo aim to inspire when they line up as outsiders.
Wide World of Sports’ exclusive Origin coverage will be hosted by James Bracey with a cast of the biggest names in modern rugby league history, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Phil Gould, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Sam Thaiday and Brad Fittler, all on hand to dissect every moment of the action.
Danika Mason will deliver live updates from the sideline alongside Fittler and Lockyer, while Allana Ferguson joins the panel to analyse the key match-ups. In the commentary box Mathew Thompson is flanked by former NSW and Queensland captains, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith.
Experience State of Origin like never before with 9Now’s Battle View. This ultimate multi-view live stream lets you follow the main game while keeping an eye on the halfbacks Nathan Cleary (NSW) and Sam Walker (Queensland), all on the one screen streamed side-by-side live. Download the app or head to 9now.com.au
Feature stories in pregame will include an insight into the story behind the resurgence of Maroons try scoring sensation Selwyn Cobbo, when Johnathan Thurston breaks down the raw, explosive rise of Cherbourg hero and his epic return to the Origin arena in Cobbo’s Comeback.
Instilling belief in the Blues is three NSW who have won series deciding game three’s in Brisbane - Benny Elias (1994), Anthony Minichello (2005) and Jake Trbojevic (2024), when they unite to back Laurie Daley’s Blues to ambush Queensland and steal the series right in their own backyard in The Suncorp Heist.
Moments before kick off don’t miss Jai Arrow when he carries the Ampol State of Origin shield onto Suncorp Stadium ahead of The Decider.
After the game you can catch up with 9Now mini-match for all the best bits in a 20-minute breakdown.
AMPOL STATE OF ORIGIN III: THE DECIDER – QUEENSLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES
LIVE from Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Wednesday, July 8
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 9GemHD, 5.30pm on Channel 9HD and 9Now
THE BUILD-UP TO ORIGIN III: THE DECIDER ON NINE
Available on Channel 9 and 9Now
100% FOOTY – Tonight - Monday, July 6 at 8.45pm AEST
South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell joins the home of the biggest opinions from those who matter, Host James Bracey is joined by Gus Gould, Cameron Smith, Paul Gallen and Allana Ferguson for a huge preview of The Decider. Queensland Maroons forward Pat Carrigan and NSW Blues enforcer Liam Martin join the show from origin camp.
FREDDY AND THE EIGHTH – Tuesday night, July 7, late
NSW legends Brad Fittler and the Eighth rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns preview The Decider with Danika Mason.
SIX TACKLES WITH GUS ORIGIN III: THE DECIDER PREVIEW
Phil “Gus” Gould and channel 9 NRL caller Mat Thompson preview the big game with a Queensland Maroons legend to join as a surprise special guest.
STATE OF ORIGIN III: THE DECIDER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, AT 7.00PM AEST
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
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Nice to see the Commentator audio is agian crap agian.
I understand you want us to feel the experience of being at the game but not at the expence of the not bloody hearing the commentators. Can Hardly hear the commentators.
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Very noticeable lack of Telstra advertisements tonight, I wonder if Telstra/Nine pulled them last minute.
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Agree, it was a blockfest in 9NBN land tonight.
Surely the GF will be much better.
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Well, none of the Telstra tracking data was working apparently and the bunker was done out of a broadcast truck at short notice in Brisbane.
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STATE OF ORIGIN 2026 SERIES REACHES MORE THAN 12 MILLION VIEWERS
GAME III: THE DECIDER THE HIGHEST TOTAL TV RESULT FOR A STATE OF ORIGIN IN RATINGS HISTORY (VOZ/TAM/VPM)**
GAME III: THE DECIDER CLAIMS AUSTRALIA’S NO.1 TOTAL TV PROGRAM OF THE YEAR**
The 2026 Ampol State of Origin series has rewritten the record books, setting new benchmarks for viewership across broadcast and streaming, with a phenomenal Total TV National Reach of 12 million Australians tuning in throughout the thrilling series on the 9Network.
Last night’s State of Origin III: The Decider 2026 smashed broadcasting records with a historic Total TV Reach of 6.032 million viewers, cementing its place as the the No.1 Total TV Program of the year and a Total TV audience of 4.290 million making it the highest-rating State of Origin match in history (based on Total TV and Overnight VOZ/TAM/ VPM Ratings System). The blockbuster event also drew a massive BVOD audience of 1.685 million - a phenomenal 70.9% year-on-year surge.
Furthermore, the thrilling Game III decider significantly increased Total TV audiences year-on-year across local markets including Sydney (+20%), Brisbane (+9%) and Perth (+6%).
State of Origin Game I secured an extraordinary Total TV average audience of 3.99 million, making it the highest-rating State of Origin match in VOZ history at the time. On 9Now, the dramatic opener captivated streaming audiences, setting a powerful baseline for a record-shattering series.
State of Origin Game II achieved even greater heights, drawing a record-breaking Total TV Reach over 6 million viewers and a Total TV average audience of 4.286 million as a historic crowd packed the MCG. Streaming on 9Now soared to unprecedented levels, breaking the all-time Australian BVOD record with 1.713 million viewers tuning into the live stream.
The 2026 State of Origin series has cemented rugby league’s position as Australia’s biggest television event with all three men’s matches now ranking as the three highest-rating television programs of 2026 across any Australian broadcaster. Combined with record audiences across the Women’s State of Origin series, the results reinforce the continued growth of the game and the strength of Nine’s long-term partnership with the NRL.
Adding further momentum to a blockbuster year of Rugby League, the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series also reached spectacular new heights for the 9Network. The WSOO averaged a national reach of 2 million Australians per match, fuelled by a 53% year-on-year surge in BVOD viewing on 9Now.
Amanda Laing, Nine’s Managing Director of Streaming and Broadcast, said: “State of Origin on Nine has rewritten the record books once again with more than 12 million Australians watching the 2026 series, reinforcing why Nine remains the Home of Rugby League’s biggest moments.
“Across broadcast and free streaming, this year’s series became the most-streamed State of Origin series in history, with all six men’s and women’s matches delivering record audiences, as we connect more Australians with rugby league than ever before.
“Following this week’s landmark rights agreement, we’re proud to continue our long-term partnership with the NRL. Together, we remain committed to the continued growth of the game, by bringing more Australians closer to the stories, rivalries and moments that make rugby league such an important part of our national culture.”
Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said: “State of Origin again delivered some of the most dramatic, high-stakes football we’ve ever seen. From kick off in Sydney to the decider in Brisbane, the intensity on the field was matched only by the passion of the fans. Congratulations to the players, who year after year continue to deliver sporting drama at its absolute best.
“Origin is the pinnacle of live sports broadcasting and I want to say a huge thank you to our world-class Wide World of Sports production crew, technical engineers and legendary commentary team who work tirelessly to bring viewers closer to the action than ever before.”
With absolute dominance across all screens, key demographics, and both the men’s and women’s competitions, the 2026 State of Origin shield reinforces that nothing captivates the nation, dominates the conversation, and delivers unrivaled scale for commercial partners quite like Origin on Nine.
Source: TVMAP VOZ Program Analyser, VOZ Data 5.9 © OzTAM Pty Limited [2026], National, Nine Content, State of Origin Rugby League, Reach (Incl Pre/Post, Average Audience (Excl Pre/Post), Total People, Total TV, Overnight, as at 09/07/2026. (TAM/VPM data)
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