Queensland Wins 2025 State of Origin
The Queensland Maroons have claimed victory in the 2025 Ampol State of Origin series, defeating New South Wales 24-12 at Accor Stadium in Sydney last night.
It was an unlikely win for Queensland, given underwhelming performances in games one and two, which left the series drawn 1-1. The return of captain Cameron Munster just days after the death of his father Steven proved a powerful inspiration for the Maroons to clinch State of Origin victory and bring the shield back to Queensland.
Queensland coach Billy Slater was vindicated in his squad selections, claiming his third Origin win in four years. Tom Dearden, who replaced Daly Cherry-Evans, was named Man of the Match and also the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.
However, it may be the end of Laurie Daley’s tenure as coach of the NSW squad, now having lost five out of six Origin series. Last night was the fourth time he has lost an Origin decider since 2013. Blues halfback Nathan Cleary remains winless in the three Origin deciders he has played and last night struggled with an underwhelming performance.
Queensland outplayed, outperformed and outsmarted the Blues, establishing dominance in the first half with a 20-0 lead by the break. Lacking team cohesion, the Blues offered predictable attacks and disjointed defensive plays that proved no match for the Maroons. Former NSW coach and game legend Phil Gould lashed the Blues and Daley, describing them as a ‘rabble’ while lauding Queensland for playing ‘the perfect game of Origin’.
Commentators and league pundits are rating last night’s game and the Maroons’ performance among the greatest in Origin history.
“I’d rate this up there with the ‘95 series, Fatty’s team, and the 2020 series where the Queensland team was spoken about as the worst team ever assembled,” Cameron Smith said on Channel 9.
Last night, the Queensland Maroons reaffirmed their reputation as underdogs. This was the seventh time in Origin history that a Maroons side has rebounded from a 1-0 deficit to emerge triumphant. Congratulations to the entire Maroons squad and its staff on a tremendous victory in the 2025 State of Origin series.
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