NRL fans were left saying the same thing about the 2025 State of Origin Series opener on Wednesday night.
Billed as one of the most hotly anticipated events of the rugby league season, this year’s opening match between the Maroons and the Blues at the Suncorp stadium was a drab and dismal affair.
While the Blues took a huge step closer to retaining the Shield with an 18-6 win over the Maroons, the game left a lot to be desired.
Knock-ons, missed tackles and some underwhelming performances from some of Queensland‘s biggest hitters, including Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga saw some question the quality of the match.
Footy great Andrew Johns gave his take on the match after the game.
‘It wasn’t a genuine Origin game,’ he said to Channel 9.
Droves of footy fans were seen voting with their feet during Wednesday’s underwhelming State of Origin opener, as they exited the stadium before full-time
A dejected Billy Slater watched on as his team succumbed to an 18-6 defeat against the Maroons on home soil
‘It didn’t feel that way for whatever reason. It just didn’t feel like the intensity and the physical side of an Origin game.
‘For me, it was like a good club game.’
While many fans took to social media to express their take on the match, others inside the Suncorp stadium voted with their feet.
Footage, posted by @Gibbsy2707 on X, shows droves of fans exiting the terraces late into the second half of the match.
Some appeared to be wearing Maroon jerseys, with Billy Slater’s side underwhelming during the match.
Fans had already questioned the coach over why he left Corey Horsburg out of his side for the match.
The Maroon’s forwards were outclassed by their counterparts, as the side went on to lose back-to-back matches at the Suncorp for the first time in 27 years.
But speaking on the loss, Slater believes their defeat was down to a lack of discipline rather than their team cohesion or execution – despite missing a staggering 48 tackles.
Despite the relatively tight scoreline, the Maroons were outclassed by their counterparts
New South wales took a step closer to defending their title with Nathan Cleary showcasing his brilliance
Queensland are facing an upward battle if they hope to spin around the series, with multiple fans questioning their performance online
‘That’s probably something for the review, and looking through the tape and, obviously sitting down with the group. At the end of the day it’s got to come from the players,’ he said reflecting on the game.
‘I definitely don’t think it’s a personnel thing. I know what this team’s capable of and that’s why you can probably see I’m disappointed because they haven’t played their best footy.
‘I feel responsible to try and help them get there. So it’s definitely not a personnel thing.
‘They’ve had a great attitude as well. But to the discipline side of the game, the attitude wasn’t good enough.’
Payne Haas was clinical for the Blues while Nathan Cleary starred alongside his St George winger Zac Lomax, who crossed the whitewash for New South Wales’ first try.
Brian To’o, who was sent to the sin bin during the game, dotted down not long after before Lomax had his second. Queensland, meanwhile were almost kept scoreless in the first term, but for a late Valentine Holmes penalty.
But fans on social media did not hold back when issuing their thoughts on the match.
‘Yeah, I wouldn’t be promoting this game. Absolutely horrible advertisement for the NRL,’ one wrote on X.
Unhappy footy fans deliver their reactions to this year’s State of Origin opening match
‘It was boring when Queensland were winning every year. Now it’s worse.
‘They need to reinvent this series somehow.
‘It’s losing its shine. Wouldn’t know it’s on in Brisbane if you didn’t watch channel 9 this week. Nothing like it used to be,’ another commented.
‘This will go down as the worst Origin in a decade. So many errors,’ added a third.
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