By Adrian Proszenko and Christian Nicolussi
The opening State of Origin match was the most watched TV program of the year after an 11.2 per cent spike in viewership from the corresponding match last year.
A national average audience of 3.755 million tuned in to watch NSW take a 1-0 lead in the series – a figure 38 per cent more than the next most-watched program of 2025, ABC’s election coverage. The Blues’ 18-6 victory was the highest-rating interstate clash since 2016 after it secured a national total television reach of 5.449 million.
The game broke streaming records for Nine Now, attracting 963,000 viewers, beating the previous record by 11 per cent. That makes it the second-highest rating BVOD (Broadcast Video on Demand) program of all time after a 26.7 per cent rise on last year’s Origin series opener.
There were plenty of fans also watching live at the ground, with 52,483 packing a sold-out Suncorp Stadium. There were also more than one million Google searches for State of Origin in the 24 hours surrounding the event.
While some pundits suggested it wasn’t the epic spectacle that was last year’s decider, the figures show Origin is still a huge ratings bonanza as the NRL ramps up broadcast negotiations for a new rights deal.
The NRL will go to market with two new teams for the next rights cycle; the Perth Bears will enter the competition in 2027, with PNG introduced a year later.
NSW winger Brian To’o celebrates after scoring a try.Credit: Getty Images
The governing body has pointed to last season’s ratings figures as proof that rugby league is Australia’s No.1 sport, with this year’s numbers up 4.2 per cent year to date on the record-breaking 2024 season.
“The State of Origin ratings result is the highest in almost a decade, cementing rugby league’s position as the number one sport in Australia and the Pacific,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said. “State of Origin was the number one show of the year so far, winning in every demographic and dominating in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, as well as delivering a record streaming audience.
“A sellout at Suncorp stadium provided an intense atmosphere which could be felt by fans watching all over the country. Rugby League broke numerous records in 2024 and the results are even stronger in 2025.
“The players are phenomenal athletes and the football has been unpredictable and enthralling all season. It is no surprise that fans are responding so positively.”
Queensland will attempt to keep the series alive when the series heads to Western Australia’s Optus Stadium on June 18.
Young set for Newcastle return after Roosters, Knights agree deal
The Roosters and Knights are poised to agree terms on a deal that will result in Dom Young returning to Newcastle before the June 30 transfer deadline.
The emergence of cross-code star Mark Nawaqanitawase has made Young surplus to requirements at Bondi Junction, despite being contracted until the end of 2027. The Knights were always keen to welcome the towering winger back to Newcastle, but the parties were at loggerheads over how much the Roosters would chip in for this season’s portion of the deal.
Dom Young is poised to leave the Roosters and return to Newcastle.Credit: Getty
The Tricolours will carry most of Young’s $500,000 salary in their salary cap for this season, with the Knights to pay the full amount of the remainder of his contract.
It will allow to the English international to make the move just before the transfer deadlines closes, and result in him wearing Newcastle colours in the club’s round 15 clash against the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium.
After being dropped to reserve grade after round seven, Young was recalled to the NRL side over the past two weeks. The 23-year-old was named as 18th man for Sunday’s clash with Canberra and is likely to remain a Rooster for the next few weeks as back-up for the club’s Origin stars.
Manly’s double Trbojevic blow as Tigers overlook Galvin
Manly’s Tom Trbojevic will miss Saturday’s clash against Brisbane – and possibly the following round against Newcastle – because of a persistent corked quad injury.
The latest blow for the Sea Eagles superstar shared top billing in Tuesday’s team selection news with the Wests Tigers’ decision to not select Lachlan Galvin for any team this weekend.
Galvin remains on three days’ leave at the Tigers, and will not be required to train on Wednesday, but appears to have played his last game for the club after telling Canterbury he is keen to switch to Belmore immediately.
Given he still remains contracted to the Tigers – and the Bulldogs have the bye – Galvin was available to be selected by Benji Marshall, but the coach had other ideas.
Tom Tbrojevic could miss Manly’s next two gamesCredit: Getty Images
The news of Trbojevic being sidelined again by a persistent injury adds pain for a team that has lost five of its past seven matches.
The Manly star had played a couple of weeks with the cork, then aggravated it during Friday’s loss to Parramatta.
Trbojevic’s older brother Jake will also miss the game at 4 Pines Park because of concussion protocols, as will Siua Taukeiaho (calf). Queensland Origin captain Daly Cherry-Evans will be assessed on Friday.
“The cork had been troubling Tommy, and he’s got what they call a minor myofascial injury in the same leg,” coach Anthony Seibold said. “He got a scan on Monday, and the doctor said he won’t be able to play this week.
Tigers rising star Lachlan Galvin.Credit: Getty Images
“Hopefully, he can be back for the Knights, but it’s only a five-day turnaround, so it might be two weeks yet. We’ve just got to treat it cautiously because if he does any more damage, it can potentially become a tear.”
Trbojevic has already battled knee and hamstring injuries this season, which prompted former NSW Origin star centre Josh Morris to tell 2GB over the weekend it was time for Manly “bite the bullet” and move “Turbo” to centre or five-eighth to lessen his workload.
Seibold, who has rejected external calls to move Trbojevic from the fullback role on more than one occasion, said GPS data indicated he completed just as much work at centre, which was a position where he also endured more contact.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have overlooked Galvin, despite him being eligible for selection for Saturday’s trek to Townsville to take on the Cowboys.
Heath Mason, who has mainly played as a fullback when called into the top squad, will start in the halves alongside Jarome Luai.
The Tigers are prepared to let Galvin go in the belief Latu Fainu will make the No.6 jersey his own. However, the teen playmaker remains sidelined with a hand injury, although he is expected to return next week.
As they prepare to part with Galvin, the Tigers are also in danger of losing Tallyn Da Silva when his contract expires at the end of 2026. The teenage hooker is also considered one of the best young spine players in the game, but the club has been told he won’t re-sign if Api Koroisau’s contract is extended.
The Tigers want to keep them both, but are likely to prioritise Koroisau.
The Panthers and Roosters will be hoping their huge Origin contingents survive Wednesday night and are available for Sunday’s games against Parramatta and Canberra respectively.
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