State of Origin 2025 dates, schedules locked in: Incoming NSW coach faces horrendous first-up assignment
It’s the 30-year hoodoo facing the incoming NSW Blues coach. See the full State of Origin schedules, dates and venues for the men’s, women’s and under-19 series.
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The ghost of Origin legend Tommy ‘Cattledog’ Raudonikis could next year lift NSW’s new coach to a debut win over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Not since a Raudonikis-inspired NSW beat Queensland 8-6 in 1997, has a Blues coach won in Brisbane during his first game in charge.
The NRL will confirm today the official dates, revealed earlier this month by this masthead, for the 2025 State of Origin series and it will be a formidable task for the yet-to-be announced NSW coach to travel to a ravenous Suncorp Stadium for game one.
The 2025 Origin dates are: May 28 (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane), June 18 (Perth Stadium) and July 9 (Accor Stadium, Sydney).
And in a seismic boost for women’s rugby league, a State of Origin match this coming season will be played at the 45,000-seat Allianz Stadium.
Raudonikis achieved debut glory as Blues coach at Suncorp Stadium – minus Super League-aligned players – 28 years ago next season.
Wayne Pearce (1999) and Ricky Stuart (2005) also debuted as NSW coach in Brisbane but both lost – Stuart’s team defeated 24-20, Pearce lost 9-8. The NSWRL board is expected to meet on Thursday to progress discussions around the Blues coach after Michael Maguire quit after one series, which he won, to coach Brisbane Broncos.
Key candidates include Laurie Daley, Trent Barrett, Geoff Toovey, Danny Buderus, Matt King, Paul McGregor and Michael Ennis.
NSWRL officials are yet to formally contact any contender. While the coaching appointment will be discussed on Thursday, it’s highly unlikely an announcement will be made.
Previous women’s State of Origin games have been played at North Sydney Oval, Suncorp Stadium, Queensland Country Bank Stadium and Sunshine Coast Stadium but never at Allianz Stadium.
It is another clear indicator displaying the growth of women’s rugby league.
The women’s Origin matches are scheduled for May 1 (Suncorp Stadium), May 15 (Allianz Stadium) and May 29 (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle).
The women’s series opener will be part of the four-day NRL Magic Round festival.
State of Origin will again be played on Wednesday nights, with the three women’s Origin games being contested on Thursday evenings.
It can also be revealed the men’s and women’s under-19s State of Origin games will be played on Thursday, June 19, on the Sunshine Coast.
NSW hold men’s supremacy after an epic 2024 series where the Blues lost game one before rebounding to claim the final two matches, the decider being in Brisbane.
“The 2024 State of Origin Series was one for the ages. An intense and exciting series for both the men and women plus a showcase of emerging young talent in the under-19s Origin matches,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“The greatest rivalry in Australian sport returns to Brisbane, Perth and Sydney for the men’s series and the Sunshine Coast for the first time for the exciting under-19s matches.
2024 was a landmark year for women’s State of Origin, with record crowds and television audiences.
“It was a gripping contest to mark the first ever three-game series. The under-19s matches have unearthed several NRL and NRLW stars and we are seeing huge interest from players, player agents and talent scouts from clubs to see the next generation of Blues, Sky Blues and Maroons make their mark.”
State of Origin II will be the first Origin game played in Perth since 2022. Tickets for the WA match will go on sale to the public on Friday.
Originally published as State of Origin 2025 dates, schedules locked in: Incoming NSW coach faces horrendous first-up assignment
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