There are still two matches to come, but the signs are ominous for the Maroons after New South Wales claimed an 18-6 win on Queensland soil to kick off the 2025 State of Origin series.
While the Maroons had several players that battled, the Blues clicked sharply and looked like a team that had played together for years.
Here are the players that stood up in the win, and the ones that will need to bounce back strongly in the second match in Perth in three weeks time.
It didn’t take long for the mortal enemies to come together for some push and shove at Suncorp Stadium for the opening match of the 2025 State of Origin series
Queensland
Kalyn Ponga – 5
With Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo injured, Kalyn Ponga reclaimed his fullback jersey but struggled to break the game open for the Maroons
Struggled to get into the game in the first half as the Maroon’s offence spluttered. Lost the ball in a Crichton tackle to surrender the momentum the Maroons had built. Gave away a penalty for a flop when Queensland had the Blues firmly under the gun.
Xavier Coates – 8
Soared high over Brian To’o late in the first quarter but was unable to reel in the ball because of interference from his opposite number. Very unlucky not to come up with points and he constantly threatened the Blues line. Finally got the reward he deserved after Latrell Mitchell lost the ball.
Robert Toia – 7.5
Named for the Maroons having played just 10 NRL matches, the Roosters young gun held his own in the big arena and had a few nice carries. Came into his own in the second half with some powerful runs. However with a host of injured Maroons set to return, he might need to bide his time before getting his second crack at Origin. Will certainly give coach Billy Slater plenty of headaches at the selection table.
He’s got just 10 NRL matches under his belt, but Robert Toia has already shown he has the makings of an Origin star in his debut match
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – 5
For all of his attacking ability, the Hammer still has defensive liabilities at this level. Really struggled against Stephen Crichton and Zac Lomax where the Blues found a lot of success. Was kept quiet in attack for most of the night by the Bulldogs skipper as well.
Valentine Holmes – 5
Fumbled a Nathan Cleary bomb to put his side under early pressure. Scored the first Maroons points with a successful kick off the back of To’o sinbinning. He was involved, but a long way off his best form. Could be the first to go when the injured troops return.
Cameron Munster – 4
Was the Maroons’ ace up their sleeve after missing last year’s series, but six missed tackles and a vital penalty conceded made his first half one to forget. Really tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half but couldn’t find the special play he has become known for.
Cameron Munster had an indifferent return to the Origin arena after missing the 2024 series through injury
Evergreen Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans became the oldest Origin player when he lined up at Suncorp Stadium
Daly Cherry-Evans – 5
Became the oldest player to ever lace up the boots for an Origin match in what is likely to be his final series. Will he play all three matches? It remains to be seen. Could not grab the ascendency in this one while strike weapon Tom Dearden was kept on ice.
Moeaki Fotuaika – 7.5
Came out like a cement truck to put the Blues on notice, but a cheeky little strip was picked up by the bunker to gift NSW their first points from the ensuing penalty. Oddly, he was limited to a 27 minute cameo. Surely he demands greater minutes in Origin II.
Harry Grant – 4
Came into the match on very limited preparation, just 60 minutes in a loss against the Sharks. Came up with a costly error in the first half. Then gave away a penalty to put his side under even more pressure. Copped an elbow from Spencer Leniu and then a head clash from teammate Lindsay Collins. Hooked for Tom Dearden 13 minutes into the second half.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – 6
Missed the series last year and came out of the blocks a little too enthusiastically, giving away two penalties in defence. Had a bunch of missed tackles as well. The Maroons need more from big Tino.
Reuben Cotter – 5
A huge 31 tackles with no misses in the first half alone. But the big man from Mackay has struggled in offence for North Queensland this season and brought those woes into Origin. A rock in defence, but very quiet on the other side of the ball.
Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai had moments of brilliance, but plenty of moments he would wish he could have again as well
Jeremiah Nanai – 6
It’s hard to believe that the North Queensland Cowboys second-rower was banished to reserve grade earlier this season because of poor form. But then again, it is also easy to see why he is a rocks and diamonds type of player. Plenty of enthusiasm, but a good handful of missed tackles and handling errors as well.
Patrick Carrigan – 9
Required plastic surgery to his busted lip just to play and just kept going and going and going for the Maroons. Huge metres, a monstrous amount of tackles and a beating heart that just won’t quit. The Maroons need 10 more just like him.
Bench
Tom Dearden has shown he has what it takes at Origin level, but was given little chance to shine off the bench in the opening match
Tom Dearden – 5
Came on 13 minutes into the second half to play dummy half in the place of the subbed Harry Grant. Not much he could do in limited minutes and playing out of position.
Lindsay Collins – 7
Had a head clash in the first half with Harry Grant which likely limited his minutes, but he was powerful while he was on the field and gained valuable metres for the Maroons.
Beau Fermor – 5
Finally made his Origin debut at age 26 when he ran out onto Suncorp Stadium for the final 15 minutes of the match. Not much he could do in limited minutes with the game beyond reach.
Trent Loiero – 8
The Melbourne Storm star got through plenty of work on debut off the bench in limited minutes. Rattled up 60 metres and had 30 tackles in a willing performance. Could press for a starting spot in the near future
New South Wales
Dylan Edwards – 8.5
Despite indifferent form at club level, the Penrith superstar showed why he has become the preferred option at this level over James Tedesco. He was laying on tries, line breaks and then crashed over to score the match-winner in clever support play.
Panthers winger Brian To’o had a trademark spectacular try, but was also sin-binned
Brian To’o – 6
Played just one match in the lead up after a hamstring complaint hampered the start of his season. Latched onto a Latrell pass to score the Blues’ second. Had a brain fade and was sin-binned late in the first half for dragging Xavier Coates down while he was competing for a bomb.
Stephen Crichton – 8.5
Defied a leg injury to take his place in the team. And he was at his barnstorming best, giving Hamiso Tabui-Fidow nightmares and showing why he is regarded as the best centre in the game right now.
Maroons fans had hoped Stephen Crichton would succumb to a leg injury – and he showed them why
Latrell Mitchell – 6
Wanted to let his football do the talking this time around and did so. Swatted defenders away at will, had plenty of lovely touches that led to tries and was a constant handful. However, he dropped the ball after being axed by Maroons second-rower Jeremiah Nanai, which led to Queensland’s first try.
Zac Lomax – 8
After years of whinging about playing on the wing, he showed why he should stay there by scoring the first NSW try. Bagged his second as the sheer weight of possession from NSW broke the Maroons’ backs. Was shifted to the left wing in the second half in a bid to shut down Xavier Coates.
Mitchell Moses – 8
Had a target on his back and did well to weather some bone-crunching hits without losing possession. Is the general at Parramatta but showed he can be a great team player as well, involved in several sweeping ball movements. Controlled, measured and an asset to the Blues side.
Nathan Cleary – 6.5
He’s won four premierships in a row but was shaky early in this arena, tossing a ball out the back door to nobody and turning over possession. Left his goal-kicking boots back at Penrith, missing three in a row.
Mitchell Barnett – 7
Did his job in the engine room with over 100 metres and 20-odd tackles, although a couple of misses dulls his grade a bit.
The Sydney Roosters got a good look at the future in Reece Robson who was dominant out of dummy half
Reece Robson – 8.5
After keeping his spot despite several questions over whether he had done enough to earn it, the Cowboys rake put in his one of his strongest Origin performances to date.
Payne Haas – 9
An absolute powerhouse. Came up with 11 gutbusting runs for 89 metres in the first half alone before getting a well-deserved break. Showed why he is the best prop in the game and did all of the tough stuff required – including 30 tackles without a single miss – to help engineer the win.
Liam Martin – 7.5
Not his biggest or best game for the Blues but did his job and had his little running battle with Munster.
Angus Crichton – 7.5
Was a constant threat on the left edge but couldn’t quite break the game apart. Both second-rowers linked well with the centres and this looks like a well-settled New South Wales outfit
You can set your watch to Penrith Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo having a strong match in big games
Isaah Yeo – 9
Leader of the pack once again. Has always led by example and this was no different, showing all of the toughness and guile that has led to the Panthers co-captain winning four straight premierships. A real asset for the Blues pack.
Bench
Connor Watson – 3
Came on late to replace Reece Robson at dummy half and immediately bombed an almost certain try after fumbling a Nathan Cleary pass.
Spencer Leniu – 8
Lapped up the attention of being the pantomime villain at Suncorp Stadium, inciting the locals to boo him after his previously confrontation with Maroons great Johnathan Thurston. Had a near flawless cameo off the bench and will be pressing for a spot in the starting side if there are any injuries this series.
Hudson Young – 5
Good energy off the bench but a couple of trademark brain explosions as well. Will need to find balance in his game if he wants to press for a regular starting spot.
Max King – 7
Did his job off the bench without fuss, without any errors and then sat back down again.
