Latest news with #StateofOrigin2025
The Age
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Emotional Tino to dig deep for Maroons – and a grieving Munster
Tears cascaded down Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's face, his eyes gleaming in the stadium lights, as the national anthem was sung to launch State of Origin 2025. About a year before he watched from the sidelines, recovering from a ruptured ACL, as Queensland suffered a series defeat. Now, the softly spoken enforcer was back where he belonged. 'I love this state, everybody probably saw that in game one,' Fa'asuamaleaui said before the decider in Sydney. 'In game two, having that under control a bit more, it was still another rollercoaster. There were a few things that didn't go the way I wanted, but that's what the journey of Origin is about, and football – and even life.' Loading Such was his determination to announce his comeback in full flight, Fa'asuamaleaui ventured to the US and worked with renowned conditioning expert Bill Knowles. Even throughout the season, the 25-year-old felt below his athletic best. 'That's the rollercoaster. At the start of the year, I was still finding my lunges, and still finding the way things move on the field,' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Emotional Tino to dig deep for Maroons – and a grieving Munster
Tears cascaded down Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's face, his eyes gleaming in the stadium lights, as the national anthem was sung to launch State of Origin 2025. About a year before he watched from the sidelines, recovering from a ruptured ACL, as Queensland suffered a series defeat. Now, the softly spoken enforcer was back where he belonged. 'I love this state, everybody probably saw that in game one,' Fa'asuamaleaui said before the decider in Sydney. 'In game two, having that under control a bit more, it was still another rollercoaster. There were a few things that didn't go the way I wanted, but that's what the journey of Origin is about, and football – and even life.' Loading Such was his determination to announce his comeback in full flight, Fa'asuamaleaui ventured to the US and worked with renowned conditioning expert Bill Knowles. Even throughout the season, the 25-year-old felt below his athletic best. 'That's the rollercoaster. At the start of the year, I was still finding my lunges, and still finding the way things move on the field,' he said.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Queensland stay alive after holding off stirring NSW comeback in State of Origin classic
The Maroons celebrate a try during their thrilling Game 2 win over NSW Blues that sends the 2025 State of Origin series to a decider. The Maroons celebrate a try during their thrilling Game 2 win over NSW Blues that sends the 2025 State of Origin series to a decider. Photograph:They had been all but written off, rudderless and adrift with a rattled coach at the helm, but a spirited Queensland kept the State of Origin shield alive after a wet, wild and often bizarre Game 2 victory over New South Wales in Perth. The memorable 26-24 triumph wasn't certain until the final moments after a titanic Blues comeback – highlighted by a Brian To'o hat-trick – brought them back to within two points with eight minutes to go. Advertisement Related: State of Origin 2025 Game 2: Qld Maroons beat NSW Blues 26-24 – as it happened Yet the Maroons' heroic defence in the dying stages was capped off by new Maroons captain Cameron Munster and recalled backrower Kurt Capewell, having faced repeat sets, who forced an error from Blues prop Payne Haas with another gritty tackle. The Blues' final set ended in an error from fullback Dylan Edwards, securing one of the great Origin victories and triggering a mix of relief and celebration for the weary Queenslanders. The Maroons had scored four tries to five for the Blues. They were kept scoreless in the second half. But they were somehow ahead when the siren sounded at the end of a irresistible sporting spectacle. Advertisement Munster was named man of the match for a fearless, inspirational display, repaying the faith coach from Billy Slater for naming him captain. He said his team played well in the first half but 'shot ourselves in the foot in the second'. He expressed delight at keeping the series alive for the decider in Sydney in three weeks. 'We had that mentality, like the 1995 'nobodies team' [who upset NSW] and we just kept working and turning up for each other, and we ended up getting the chocolates.' Despite the late drama, the match was won in the first half thanks a four-try blitz, as the Maroons rolled through the heavily backed Blues despite conceding the first points. NSW might have run out for the kick-off in Western Australia, but mentally appeared in another state entirely. By half-time they had conceded eight penalties to none, plus another five errors and two ruck infringements which were the icing on a cake that was brown but certainly not chocolate. The slippery, muddy conditions were the result of steady rain, both in the lead-up to the match and from driving showers that left the players dripping and the balls dropping. The handling errors – 28 in all – made for sharp momentum swings, but amplified the desperation and physicality in what became an unpredictable but deeply entertaining contest. Advertisement The Blues' victory in Game 1 was methodical, but the Maroons' triumph on Wednesday was sheer madness. No moment encapsulated their frenzy more than when, in the final minute of the first half, they frantically kept the ball alive on the fifth tackle – up 26-6 – but gave away half the field in territory before a late handling error. Perhaps the method of victory should have been no surprise given the man who was captaining the side. Munster was in everything, mostly good but also bad, upholding his reputation as one of the game's great enigmas. An early grubber resulted in a seven-tackle set, and another in the second half set up the Blues on another marauding set. But he never stopped looking for the ball, showing desperation and daring throughout a contest in which he ran for 129m and scored a try. That four-pointer was set up by hooker Harry Grant, another who overcame an indisciplined Game 1 to make a difference in Perth. He had lost all four of the games he had started for the Maroons, and most anticipated 32-year-old debutant Kurt Mann would be brought in as a late replacement by Slater to see Grant through the physical opening stages unscathed. But the No 9 played all 80 minutes and made 55 tackles to be one of the Maroons' best. Despite few believing in the possibility of a Queensland victory, the Maroons have done it again. Yes, it was partly thanks to an off-night from Blues kicker Zac Lomax, who went two-from-five. And they certainly benefited from the odd bit of fortune. But largely due to that familiar Queensland spirit, State of Origin remains alive in 2025.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy The Kid looks out of bullets as Maroons faces another Origin defeat
As the State of Origin teams were read out in front of 54,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, the loudest cheer accompanied the final name on the announcer's list. That roar was bigger than for Kalyn Ponga or Cameron Munster. Throatier than the one reserved for Patty Carrigan. And the face who inspired it hasn't seen a tackle in seven years. To say Billy Slater is well-loved by Queenslanders is an understatement. As if Romeo had only a passing interest in Juliet. Or, to a fresh batch of biscuits, the Cookie Monster wouldn't say no. Related: State of Origin 2025 Game 1: NSW Blues deliver blow to Qld Maroons with win in Brisbane There is good reason, too. Slater's playing career sparkles with highlights as much as honours. Millions followed his journey as humble roustabout from Nambour to the heights of rugby league, never losing his endearing identity as Billy 'The Kid'. He proved himself to be a Maroons great, one of the symbols in Queensland's most successful Origin era. Since retiring in 2018, his legend has only grown. He has shown to be an adept analyst on broadcasts, often speaking in front of AAMI Park's Billy Slater Stand. His business as a thoroughbred breeder goes from strength to strength. His performance as a horse-riding TV compère at last year's Melbourne Cup carnival was the highlight of Channel Nine's coverage. And of course, as a rookie coach, he masterminded Queensland victories in his first two Origin series. In this context, the crowd's affection for him on Wednesday night is to be expected. But after New South Wales' largely one-sided victory in the State of Origin opener, it's clear love can only do so much. 'I feel pretty flat, to be honest, about our performance', he said after the 18-6 defeat. The result was hardly a thrashing, and for Slater there were positive signs. Winger Xavier Coates was a constant aerial threat and backrower Jeremiah Nanai was a willing combatant. Debutant Robert Toia was targeted by the Blues and forced into 24 tackles (the Maroons' other centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made just seven) but the rookie missed just three and was tidy with the ball. 'I thought his debut was great, so he can hold his head up high,' Slater said. But in truth, there is just as much cause for concern. The Blues went in as favourites, and were far from their best themselves. Five-eighth Mitch Moses, catalyst for the Blues' resurgence in last year's series, was mostly a bystander. Latrell Mitchell ran for just 58m, Liam Martin even less. Spencer Leniu played just 26 minutes. The Maroons coach believes the fans at Suncorp 'didn't see the best of this Queensland team' on Thursday. That 'it's definitely not a personnel thing'. That he knows 'what this team's capable of'. But it's becoming difficult to understand what he sees. In the past four Origin matches, the Maroons have scored 10 tries. Half of those came in the one match, after the Joseph Aukuso Sua'ali'i send-off in Sydney last year. Another three came in the second half of the MCG clash in which they trailed 34-0 at half-time. Wednesday's lone try came directly from a Latrell Mitchell handling error. The last time the Maroons crafted their own a four-pointer in a tight contest against a full Blues contingent was in the fifth minute of last year's series, when Ben Hunt crossed from Daly Cherry-Evans' blindside sneak. The 36-year-old halfback became the oldest Origin player on Wednesday, but admitted the poor attacking return means his place in the team is now a matter of debate. 'We've opened ourselves up to these sorts of questions,' Cherry-Evans said. 'But yeah, I'd love the opportunity to come back and correct it.' The coach said he too faces the same pressures. 'It's not just the players, it's everyone, and we'll all look at ourselves.' He said he still believes in the group, that the attitude of the squad was right even if their indiscipline let them down. And he said he feels responsible to help them find their best football. Slater has spent two decades taking rugby league by the scruff of the neck. But after three straight Origin defeats, this series might be out of his hands. 'At the end of the day,' he admitted, 'it's got to come from the players'.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy The Kid looks out of bullets as Maroons faces another Origin defeat
As the State of Origin teams were read out in front of 54,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, the loudest cheer accompanied the final name on the announcer's list. That roar was bigger than for Kalyn Ponga or Cameron Munster. Throatier than the one reserved for Patty Carrigan. And the face who inspired it hasn't seen a tackle in seven years. To say Billy Slater is well-loved by Queenslanders is an understatement. As if Romeo had only a passing interest in Juliet. Or, to a fresh batch of biscuits, the Cookie Monster wouldn't say no. Related: State of Origin 2025 Game 1: NSW Blues deliver blow to Qld Maroons with win in Brisbane There is good reason, too. Slater's playing career sparkles with highlights as much as honours. Millions followed his journey as humble roustabout from Nambour to the heights of rugby league, never losing his endearing identity as Billy 'The Kid'. He proved himself to be a Maroons great, one of the symbols in Queensland's most successful Origin era. Since retiring in 2018, his legend has only grown. He has shown to be an adept analyst on broadcasts, often speaking in front of AAMI Park's Billy Slater Stand. His business as a thoroughbred breeder goes from strength to strength. His performance as a horse-riding TV compère at last year's Melbourne Cup carnival was the highlight of Channel Nine's coverage. And of course, as a rookie coach, he masterminded Queensland victories in his first two Origin series. In this context, the crowd's affection for him on Wednesday night is to be expected. But after New South Wales' largely one-sided victory in the State of Origin opener, it's clear love can only do so much. 'I feel pretty flat, to be honest, about our performance', he said after the 18-6 defeat. The result was hardly a thrashing, and for Slater there were positive signs. Winger Xavier Coates was a constant aerial threat and backrower Jeremiah Nanai was a willing combatant. Debutant Robert Toia was targeted by the Blues and forced into 24 tackles (the Maroons' other centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made just seven) but the rookie missed just three and was tidy with the ball. 'I thought his debut was great, so he can hold his head up high,' Slater said. But in truth, there is just as much cause for concern. The Blues went in as favourites, and were far from their best themselves. Five-eighth Mitch Moses, catalyst for the Blues' resurgence in last year's series, was mostly a bystander. Latrell Mitchell ran for just 58m, Liam Martin even less. Spencer Leniu played just 26 minutes. The Maroons coach believes the fans at Suncorp 'didn't see the best of this Queensland team' on Thursday. That 'it's definitely not a personnel thing'. That he knows 'what this team's capable of'. But it's becoming difficult to understand what he sees. In the past four Origin matches, the Maroons have scored 10 tries. Half of those came in the one match, after the Joseph Aukuso Sua'ali'i send-off in Sydney last year. Another three came in the second half of the MCG clash in which they trailed 34-0 at half-time. Wednesday's lone try came directly from a Latrell Mitchell handling error. The last time the Maroons crafted their own a four-pointer in a tight contest against a full Blues contingent was in the fifth minute of last year's series, when Ben Hunt crossed from Daly Cherry-Evans' blindside sneak. The 36-year-old halfback became the oldest Origin player on Wednesday, but admitted the poor attacking return means his place in the team is now a matter of debate. 'We've opened ourselves up to these sorts of questions,' Cherry-Evans said. 'But yeah, I'd love the opportunity to come back and correct it.' The coach said he too faces the same pressures. 'It's not just the players, it's everyone, and we'll all look at ourselves.' He said he still believes in the group, that the attitude of the squad was right even if their indiscipline let them down. And he said he feels responsible to help them find their best football. Slater has spent two decades taking rugby league by the scruff of the neck. But after three straight Origin defeats, this series might be out of his hands. 'At the end of the day,' he admitted, 'it's got to come from the players'.
