Maroons Out for revenge as Blues chase history in PBR Origin 2026
The toughest rivalry in Australian sport is back in the chutes, with the teams officially announced today for the 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series, and both the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues are stacked with elite riders ready to go to war for state pride.
After NSW made history in 2025 by claiming their first-ever PBR Origin Series title, the pressure is now squarely on the Blues to prove it wasn't a one-off, while Queensland's all-star lineup is out to take the trophy home.
Last year's Sydney decider delivered one of the most dramatic nights in Australian bull riding history, with the Blues storming to a breakthrough victory, defeating Queensland 500.25 points to 419.50, with six qualified rides to the Maroons' five. Now, the rematch is on.
The 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series begins in Newcastle on May 30, before heading to Brisbane on June 6, and culminating in Sydney at the TikTok Entertainment Centre on August 1.
Tickets are on sale now.
Leading Queensland's charge is a powerhouse lineup featuring reigning Australian Champion Kurt Shephard (Mareeba), world-class talents Macaulie Leather (Calliope) and Donnie Rutherfurd (Mount Isa), both returning from blistering campaigns in the United States ahead of Origin, alongside fan favourites Zane Hall (Athol), Boston Leather (Calliope) and Ben Bode (Calliope).
The Blues, meanwhile, are equally dangerous, boasting returning Origin stars Sam Woodall (Heywood), Clint Glass (Willow Tree), Dylan Weir ((Tumut), Jack Rowlandson (Oberon)and Lachlan Slade (Tamworth), while also unleashing powerful international talent in Brazilians Keny Roger and Alison Aguiar. Tamworth's Colby Edgar makes his Origin debut (photos available)
Queensland will once again be led by coach Jared Borghero, the former bull rider turned one of the toughest protection athletes in the sport, while the Blues will be guided by Gresford-born Lachlan Richardson, seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier and one of Australian bull riding's most respected figures.
"There's nothing in Australian sport quite like Origin, and in bull riding, it's eight seconds of absolute chaos where every ride matters," said PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young. "Last year proved the Blues are no longer underdogs, but Queensland is coming back with one thing on its mind — revenge. These are two of the strongest lineups we've ever seen assembled for Origin. There's world-class experience, young guns in red-hot form, and riders returning from the US ready to put everything on the line for their state."
"With only a couple percent difference in overall team riding percentages, this is going to be a very close contest this season. The return of Macaulie Leather and Donnie Rutherford is the power the QLD Team was hoping for to mix it with NSW's top riders, plus both teams have some strong reserves also ready to step up when needed."
TEAM QUEENSLAND
Coach: Jared Borghero
- Macaulie Leather – Calliope, QLD
- Kurt Shephard – Mareeba, QLD
- Donnie Rutherfurd – Mount Isa, QLD
- Zane Hall – Athol, QLD
- Ethan Coster – Miriam Vale, QLD
- Kelsey Pavlou – Toora, VIC
- Boston Leather – Calliope, QLD
- Ky Borghero – Proserpine, QLD
- Ben Bode – Calliope, QLD
- Leith Malone – Mareeba, QLD
Alternates:
- Thomas Triplett – Bungundarra, QLD
- Dawson Foden – Moura, QLD
TEAM NEW SOUTH WALES
Coach: Lachlan Richardson
- Keny Roger – Brazil
- Sam Woodall – Heywood, VIC
- Clint Glass – Willow Tree, NSW
- Colby Edgar – Tamworth, NSW
- Dylan Weir – Tumut, NSW
- Jack Rowlandson – Oberon, NSW
- Toby Collins – Maldon, VIC
- Alison Aguiar – Brazil
- Jake Swan – Mendooran, NSW
- Lachlan Slade – Tamworth, NSW
Alternates:
- Thomas Hudson – Dungog, NSW
- Charlie Bailey – Oberon, NSW
JUNIORS TO RIDE IN THE SPOTLIGHT FIRST!!!!
Before the big guns buck it out, the next generation of bull riding stars will take centre arena. Junior riders will compete at all three Origin events in Newcastle, Brisbane and Sydney, with teams of four selected from the 2025 PBR Australia Can-Am Junior Academy. Aged between nine and 17, these rising stars will go head-to-head in one of the fiercest rivalries in Australian sport, just on a smaller, but no less determined, scale. "The Can-Am Junior Academy is more than a ride or a series; it's the breeding ground for the next generation of champions. These young athletes are born for this and represent the future of bull riding in Australia. Bringing them into the Origin Series gives them even more experience, this time riding bulls as a team," said Young.
Team Queensland
- Lane Cross (Bundaberg, QLD) – 17 years
- Chase Wieland (Gympie, QLD) – 14 years (second time representing – 2024)
- Wylie Roots (Duaringa, QLD) – 13 years (third time representing – 2024, 2025)
- Jasper Wieland (Gympie, QLD) – 9 years
Team New South Wales
- Liam Birks (Tamworth, NSW) – 16 years
- Kassedy Carlon (Bundarra, NSW) – 13 years (third time representing – 2024, 2025)
- Nash Goddard (Glendon Brook, NSW) – 12 years
- Chase Berry (Gunnedah, NSW) – 10 years
PBR Monster Energy Origin Series – THE SCOREBOARD SO FAR!
- 2019: Queensland
- 2020: Covid year
- 2021: Queensland
- 2022: Queensland
- 2023: Queensland
- 2024: Queensland
- 2025: News South Wales
2026 PBR Monster Energy Origin Series
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Origin I - NEWCASTLE
May 30 at 7:00 PM at Newcastle Entertainment Centre
PBR Monster Energy Origin I tickets | Newcastle Entertainment Centre | Ticketek Australia
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Origin II – BRISBANE
June 6 at 7:00 PM at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
PBR Monster Energy Origin II tickets | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Ticketek Australia
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Origin II – SYDNEY
August 1 at 7:00 PM at TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney
PBR Monster Energy Origin III tickets | TikTok Entertainment Centre | Ticketek Australia
WHERE AND WHEN TO SEE AUSTRALIA'S BEST BULL RIDERS IN 2026
All event detail can be found here: Schedule — The Professional Bull Riders
ABOUT PBR AUSTRALIA
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world, with tours across the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. A subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings —which also owns UFC and WWE— has transformed bull riding into a premier international sport since its founding in 1992. The organisation features over 1,000 riders globally and hosts more than 200 events annually worldwide. In Australia, Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) stages more than 20 events each year, attracting over 75,000 fans. PBRA showcases key events and tours such as the Monster Energy Tour, PBR Origin Series, and PBR Grand Finals, while also partnering with regional event organisers through the PBR Touring Pro Division. The organisation supports emerging talent through its Can-Am Junior Academy and serves as an international pathway to the United States circuit for both Junior and Open competition athletes.
