NSW Blues Dominate Maroons in a Suncorp Statement
The script feels almost borrowed from another era. The NSW Blues walked into Suncorp Stadium—a venue that once spooked them with every trip—and marched out with an 18-6 win that had even the most seasoned Queensland supporters quietly admitting, "They were just better." What makes this Game 1 win sweeter for the Blues? It's their second straight Origin victory on Queensland's home turf, a feat unseen since the days when dial-up internet was a thing back in 1997 and 1998.
Queensland rolled the dice with youth, starting three new faces in Trent Loiero, Robert Toia, and Beau Fermor. Debuts in Origin footy are never smooth, but the Maroons were hoping fresh legs might blunt the Blue wave. Instead, they ran headlong into a NSW outfit that never really looked rattled—thanks in no small part to big games from mainstays like Latrell Mitchell and Mitch Moses, plus some inspired showings from Zac Lomax and Patrick Carrigan. Just when Queensland tried to build pressure early with a couple of handy penalties, the Blues’ defense slammed the door shut again and again.
Pivotal Moments and Players: Blues Find the Right Spark
The turning point in this opener came courtesy of a wild, no-look offload from Connor Watson, setting up Dylan Edwards for the try that finally cracked open the Maroons’ defense. Edwards, the kind of player who quietly kills you with hustle, was everywhere on the attack—his try marked a real shift in momentum. Meanwhile, Zac Lomax anchored the backline and kept Queensland's attack hemmed in, grabbing key meters every time NSW rolled forward.
The NSW halves pairing steered the ship with poise. Their game management was a notch higher, constantly pushing Queensland back and keeping the Maroons scrambling. Even when Queensland tried to swing things their way, errors and nervy moments from their new guys handed the initiative right back. The Blues, for their part, made sure to convert those chances into points, calmly extending their lead and never really letting a raucous Suncorp crowd tilt the balance.
For Queensland, the warning signs are all over. Losing at home in Game 1 isn’t just a bad start—it’s a stat-heavy reason to sweat. Since Origin became a three-game series in 1982, only 11 sides out of 42 have won the series after dropping the opener. So the Maroons now have a mountain to climb, and suddenly those bold selection calls look pretty risky.
There’s still footy left in the series, but after a night like this, it’s the NSW Blues who hold all the cards—and head to Game 2 with their confidence sky-high and the Maroons very much on the ropes.
May 29 2025 0
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