Defending champions New South Wales return to a happy hunting when Game Two of the 2025 Ampol State of Origin series heads to Optus Stadium in Perth.
The series gets underway on Wednesday, May 28 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with Game Two in Perth on Wednesday, June 18 and Game Three at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday, July 9.
Both games at Optus Stadium in 2019 and 2022 drew monster crowds in excess of 59,000 and both were won convincingly by the Blues - to the tune of 38-6 in '19 and 44-12 in '22.
In 2019 it was Tom Trbojevic carving up with a hat-trick before Nathan Cleary's 24-point haul proved decisive three years later.
The Blues are coming off a memorable series triumph in 2024 in which they lost Game One in Sydney before recovering to win at the MCG and grabbing a slice of history at Suncorp Stadium in Game Three.
Tedesco gets brilliant offload to Tom Trbojevic for his hat-trick
In one of the best Origin games of the modern era, NSW won the decider at Suncorp to claim their first title since 2021, after the Maroons had dominated in 2022-23.
After the stunning success of this year’s maiden three-game Ampol Women’s State of Origin Series, all three matches in the 2025 edition will be played in the month of May.
Queensland will begin their quest for three straight series wins at home in the opening clash at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, May 1 before the series moves to Blues territory for Game Two at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, May 15.
The series finale will be held at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Thursday, May 29.
Brown puts the Maroons ahead
It was McDonald Jones Stadium that became Lauren Brown's field of dreams in Game Two of the 2024 series as she nailed a late field goal to get the Maroons home 11-10 in front of 25,782 fans.
The Maroons then went on to claim the series with a 22-6 triumph in Townsville.
“The 2024 Ampol State of Origin Series was one for the ages. An intense and exciting series for both the men and women plus a showcase of emerging young talent in the Under 19s Origin matches," said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.
“The greatest rivalry in Australian sport returns to Brisbane, Perth and Sydney for the men’s series and the Sunshine Coast for the first time for the exciting Under 19s matches.
“2024 was a landmark year for Ampol Women’s State of Origin, with record crowds and television audiences. It was a gripping contest to mark the first ever three-game series.
"The Under 19s matches have unearthed several NRL and NRLW stars and we are seeing huge interest from players, player agents and talent scouts from Clubs to see the next generation of Blues, Sky Blues and Maroons make their mark.”
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