NSW Blues defeat Queensland Maroons 18-6 in State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium
NSW has drawn first blood in the 2025 State of Origin series, beating Queensland in back-to-back games at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 1998.
Power, passion, two remarkable NSW tries coupled with a stupendous defensive performance.
NSW, you bloody ripper.
The brave Blues outlasted Queensland 18-6 in a fierce, physical and at times scrappy opening State of Origin game in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
A late try to NSW fullback Dylan Edwards sealed a famous win to give the Blues three straight Origin games for the first time since 2005-2006.
Aggressive and laser-focused, NSW powered through the middle, led predominantly by Payne Haas and Isaah Yeo, in a brutal display of physical domination.
Haas, who finished with 18 runs for 140m, three tackle busts and three offloads, was voted man of the match.
“We worked so hard — I can’t wait for game two,” Haas said.
Winger Zac Lomax produced a stunning two-try performance, built out of a powerful running game outside of the Blues’ end, running for 177m from 22 carries. NSW centre Stephen Crichton was another elite performer.
NSW’s defence was extraordinary, conceding just one try which when Brian To’o was in the sin bin.
“That was massive,” Lomax said.
And NSW can only get better, too.
Queensland enjoyed some second-half momentum but NSW essentially controlled the game.
Victory was a triumph for returning Blues coach Laurie Daley, who won the battle of the clipboards against Maroons counterpart Bilyl Slater, who will head into game two under pressure to keep Queensland alive in the series.
NSW can claim a series win in Origin II on June 18 at what is expected to be a sold-out Optus Stadium in Perth. Victory in WA would give NSW a fifth win in the past eight series.
It was the first time NSW have won back-to-back games at Suncorp Stadium since 1997-1998.
It was 14-2 at halftime – a scoreline which flattered Queensland.
“We wanted to start physical and we did that from the first set,” NSW five-eighth Mitchell Moses said.
NSW should have been further ahead but for Nathan Cleary’s three missed conversions.
The second half was unattractive but still tough.
“We shot ourselves in the foot in the first half – we gave them too many piggybacks,” said Maroons star Cam Munster. “We just have to be smarter.”
Victory was vindication for Daley’s courageous decision to overlook Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, Jarome Luai and Terrell May.
Queensland’s vocal and feral crowd were muzzled by the Blues’ performance.
WHAT A TRY
Lomax scored one of the great Origin tries after 25 minutes.
“Look at the ball movement,” said former Maroons skipper Cam Smith.
The ball shifted through six players, including Haas, before Stephen Crichton sent Lomax over.
Crichton’s run was menacing with his defence was equally effective.
Lomax scored again before halftime through precision ball movement and another poor defensive read from Queensland.
WHAT A TRY II
Latrell Mitchell’s remarkable tip on for a first-half To’o try was sublime.
The ball barely touched Mitchell’s fingers before To’o was in possession and over in the corner.
Mitchell is, without doubt, the NRL’s most gifted player.
“That was pretty special,” said former NSW coach Brad Fittler.
Immortal Andrew Johns added: “That is as good as it gets.”
EARLY BLUES DOMINANCE
There was early flare-up after Queensland’s Pat Carrigan worked the head and face of NSW fullback Dylan Edwards.
NSW rolled through the middle early, kicked from a strong field position and secured comfortable yardage through the middle third.
Queensland’s forwards looked under pressure after 15 minutes as the Blues rolled through them.
BAD BOY TO’O
To’o was sin-binned right on halftime for wrapping his arms around Maroons winger Xavier Coates when both were contesting a kick.
Coates caught yet dropped the ball but To’o was banished for a professional foul in a tryscoring situation.
It meant NSW played with 12 men for the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
GO GET ‘EM, SPENCER
NSW’s Spencer Leniu was being taunted by the crowd pre-game – and he gave back more than he got.
And when Leniu came into the game, he waited on the back fence for the kick-off but Queensland kicked to the other side.
Angry at missing the first hit-up, Leniu started sledging Queensland players.
CANE TOAD COMEBACK
Queensland, despite being outplayed, roared back into the game through an early second-half try. NSW centre Latrell Mitchell dropped the ball coming out of his red zone with a quick shift for Coates to score.
But it was as close as they got as the Blues held them back when it mattered and send themselves up for a series victory.
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Originally published as NSW Blues defeat Queensland Maroons 18-6 in State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium
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