Brian To'o of the Blues celebrates scoring a try during the State of Origin game one, in Brisbane, on 28 May, 2025. Photo: DARREN ENGLAND / PHOTOSPORT
New South Wales have opened the State of Origin Rugby League series with an 18-6 win over Queensland in Brisbane.
The Blues dominated the first half, with their forwards making yards through the middle and their outside backs capitalising on the creativity of halves Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses.
Zac Lomax and Brian To'o scored tries in the space of ten minutes to have the visitors 14-2 in front at the break.
Queensland scored their only try just after halftime through Xavier Coates when To'o was in the bin for a foul while contesting an aerial ball.
Queensland were roared on by their 52,000 fans, but New South Wales were able to control the game.
Dylan Edwards scored in the 73rd minute to seal the win for the Blues.
It was the second successive win for New South Wales at Suncorp after they clinched last year's series there in the decider.
Game Two is in Perth on 18 June and game three in Sydney on 9 July.
Mitchell Barnett of the Blues during the State of Origin game one match between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: DAVE HUNT / PHOTOSPORT
"They're always tough to win up here but I thought we were very brave tonight," Blues coach Laurie Daley said.
"I think we can get a lot better, but one thing I'm very proud of the guys is that we spoke about being physical and they went out and did that."
Meanwhile, Maroons five Cameron Munster admitted they played some dumb football.
"We just shot ourselves in the foot in the first half," he told Channel Nine.
"We've just got to be smarter, we played some dumb footy and gave them too many opportunities.
"It's frustrating. Eighteen points, [with] what we dished up it probably should've been more."
New South Wales prop Payne Haas was named man of the match.
He ran 122 metres and made 28 tackles.
See how the game unfolded with RNZ's blog.
