State of Origin 2025: Queensland Maroons Face Uphill Battle Against Dominant NSW Blues
The Queensland Maroons’ State of Origin aspirations hang in the balance as they prepare to face the heavily favoured NSW Blues in Game 2 on Wednesday at Optus Stadium in Perth. The Blues’ convincing 18-6 victory in the opener three weeks ago in Brisbane has left many pundits and fans believing that the series is all but over.
According to The Guardian, the Maroons’ only try in the first game was a result of a Blues handling error, highlighting their lack of attacking potency. This prompted a thorough review by coach Billy Slater and his staff, leading to the axing of captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. This move marks the first mid-series axing of a Maroons captain since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996.
Slater, who has won two shields as a coach but now faces back-to-back series defeats, acknowledges the pressure but refuses to be drawn into discussions about heightened expectations. “There was pressure in grand finals, there was pressure in State of Origin games, and there still is,” he said. “And the day there’s no pressure, I’ll be a bit worried.” (The Guardian)
A New South Wales victory on Wednesday would mark their fourth successive win, their longest streak in the rugby league showpiece since 1997. History also suggests that the shield is likely to stay with the Blues, given that Queensland have never won two matches away to win a series. The Maroons’ record at Optus Stadium is particularly concerning, with their last two visits resulting in losses: 38-6 in 2019 and 44-12 in 2022.
The Blues have been boosted by the return of Jarome Luai, who has rejoined the squad after a calf injury to Mitch Moses. Luai, who played alongside Nathan Cleary at the Panthers, has been reunited with his former teammate, and Cleary believes this reunion has strengthened their connection. “It felt like being back at home, playing alongside him,” Cleary said (The Guardian).
Injury has also robbed NSW of middle Mitch Barnett, resulting in the elevation of Stefano Utoikamanu. The Storm prop already has Origin experience and recorded a season-best 146 running metres in 43 minutes in his last match for the NRL favourites two weeks ago.
The Maroons, on the other hand, have made significant changes to their lineup, with forwards Kurt Capewell and Corey Horsburgh, as well as 32-year-old utility Kurt Mann, brought in to challenge the Blues’ pack. Slater’s decision to axe Cherry-Evans and appoint Munster as captain has also been seen as a bold move, with Munster vowing to stand up for his coach amidst media criticism.
Former Manly prop Aaron Woods’ comments about Slater have added fuel to the fire, with Slater responding by saying that people who “degrade someone personally” don’t deserve a place in the media. “I’m not done yet,” Slater warned. “You don’t know what people are going through, and although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be.”
As the teams prepare to face off in Game 2, the Maroons will be looking to defy history and prove their doubters wrong. However, the Blues’ dominant performance in the first game and their strong squad make them favourites to wrap up the series.
This is according to reporting by The Guardian, find out more about the publication here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/17/state-of-origin-qld-maroons-nsw-blues-game-2-preview.
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