Queensland blow New South Wales away to claim 25th title – State of Origin 2025 reviewed

Queensland have won the 2025 State of Origin after three exceptional contests between themselves and New South Wales.

In what was the third decider in four years, the Maroons took victory after a dominant performance in Game III. They started the series with a home defeat but managed to make amends and come back to win the series in what was yet another year of exciting Origin action. 

Here is how the action unfolded, and how Billy Slater’s side clinched their 25th State of Origin victory. 

Game I: 

Kicking off the series in Brisbane, the Maroons failed to make home advantage pay. Two tries from Parramatta Eels winger Zak Lomax helped Laurie Daley earn his first win since returning to the New South Wales hot seat. 

A Nathan Cleary penalty goal opened the series scoring. Lomax’s brace and a Brian To’o try, combined with a Queensland penalty goal from Valentine Holmes, left the half time scores at 14-2 in favour of the Blues. 

Helped by To’o being in the sin bin for a professional foul, Xavier Coates’ managed to score a try for the Maroons. However, that was cancelled out by Dylan Edwards’ four-pointer with eight minutes left. Cleary’s goal kicking was sub-standard, but it needn’t matter as the Blues emerges victorious and took Game I back to NSW. 

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Game II: 

In torrid conditions that neither team adapted well to, the second game of the series was a lot closer than the first. The game was anything but State of Origin standard in terms of quality, but that made for excellent entertainment and drama. 

The Maroons made a key change to their line-up, with the experienced Daly Cherry-Evans dropped for the Cowboys star Tom Dearden. It would be a move that initially raised eyebrows, but it would eventually turn out to be one of the key turning points in the series. 

The Blues once again opened the scoring, with To’o scoring the first of his three tries on the night. A seven-minute brace from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow put the Maroons in front for the first time in the series. 

Cameron Munster and Kurt Capewell crossed for Queensland to take a healthy 26-6 lead into the break. 

The second half almost saw one of the greatest Origin comebacks in history, with the Blues scoring four second half tries to the Maroons nil. To’o grabbed his hat-trick, and Stephen and Angus Crichton (unrelated) both crossed to close the margin. 

However, goal kicking would once again be a problem, as Lomax kicked two of five goals, meaning the Maroons would hold on to win by two points, and take the series to a decider. 

Game III: 

With the Blues having home advantage, Queensland knew they had to start strong and set a precedent. They did that and some, as tries from Coates, Dearden and Harry Grant all before half time stunned the home crowd. 

It wouldn’t be until the 55th minute where Laurie Daley’s side got points on the board. Stephen Crichton crossed, and Lomax converted, but the Maroons defence halted any chance of a comeback.  

Dearden added a second try with seven to go before To’o scored his fifth try of the series in the final couple of minutes to make the full-time score 24-12 to the Maroons.

Dearden’s magnificent game management earned himself the Wally Lewis medal for player of the series, as Queensland complete the first series victory after being 1-0 down after the first game since 2017. 

CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/GgHoUuhZWX

— NRL (@NRL) July 9, 2025