State of Origin 2025: Mum’s spaghetti bolognese and roommate rituals – how NSW stars prepare for game day

Some can’t go without mum’s spaghetti bolognese, one has to listen to the same pump-up tune and another leans on the advice of a UFC great. See the pre-game rituals and superstitions of every NSW Origin star.

Brian To’o’s game day breakfast of two bacon and egg rolls, a bowl of chips, six Coke Zeros and a caramel latte is now a thing of rugby league infamy.

But Haumole Olakau’atu reckons his game day feast of a brekkie wrap, eggs on toast and hash browns goes close.

After all, the rampaging backrower needs to fuel his 113 kilogram frame.

“Yeah, it’s a bit too much (food) but I like it,” Olakau’atu said.

Backrower Hudson Young ditched his game day rituals after hearing UFC champion Conor McGregor say “superstitions are for the weak.”

He now turns to Young Supplements before every game to make sure he is hydrated.

Connor Watson rooms with Angus Crichton when in camp on away trips and the Roosters teammates have their shower and breath-work schedule finetuned.

Zac Lomax reckons he doesn’t have any superstitions even though goes for a coffee, a walk, listens to the same song and wears the same budgie smugglers each game day.

These are the pre-game rituals and superstitions the NSW Blues will turn too before running out onto Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday in the series opener.

Originally published as State of Origin 2025: Mum’s spaghetti bolognese and roommate rituals – how NSW stars prepare for game day