State of Origin – Game 2, 2025: Origin at the Tanunda Club – the 1971 BRL Rothman’s Medallist, a (former) Cowboys cheer leader, a Rockford red, and the Maroons square the series

 

 

 

 

2025 State of Origin

Game 2, Wednesday 18 June

Optus Stadium, Perth

 

Origin at the Tanunda Club: the 1971 BRL Rothmans medallist, a (former) Cowboys cheer leader, a Rockford red, and the Maroons square the series

 

The Almanac was represented at the historic Tanunda Club on Wednesday night by local Barossa Valley identity John Harms, and yours truly.

A smallish, but vocal group of both Maroons and Blues supporters were on hand on a rather cool evening. [Freezing, actually. – Ed]

Amongst the patrons were a couple from Boondall, on the northside of Brisbane, the suburb of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Harry was in blue, while Sally was decked out in maroon, clearly the recipe for a long and happy relationship.

Sally, our Queenslander comrade, lived for many years in Townsville, including spending several seasons as a North Queensland Cowboys cheerleader, during the ‘Matt Bowen Era!’

Very North Queensland!

Sally’s stories continued at half time, including this nugget of gold: her father Len Brunner played in the second row for Wynnum-Manly in the 1970s, winning the prestigious Rothmans Medal – the Brisbane Rugby League best and fairest award, in 1971.

The Tanunda Club can provide a surprise, or several.

 

 

 

 

The game itself: 

Conditions in Perth were wet. Fortunately, Optus Stadium’s drainage is far superior to that of the Roosters’ exclusive home ground in Sydney, the new Allianz Stadium.

Rather appropriately, given the amount of water in Perth, our esteemed rugby league editor Ian Hauser did email from Europe on game day morning to inform us he was about to board a cruise from Venice to Athens.

New South Wales scored first through To’o, before Queensland dominated the first half to lead 26-6 at the break. There was much angst amongst Blues supporters towards Calvin Klein’s lop-sided penalty count … 8-0 to the Maroons at half time.

After oranges, New South Wales continued to attack Tabuai-Fidow’s wing, with To’o adding two more tries to his tally.

Inexplicably, New South Wales persisted with Zac Lomax as first choice goal kicker. The Blues scored five tries to four, with Lomax only landing two from five conversions. In Game 1, the Blues managed one from five with the boot.

 

Matt Thompson, who also commentates swimming, exclaimed on numerous occasions during the second half: “New South Wales are heading towards the greatest comeback win in the history of Origin!”

Had Stephen Crichton or Latrell taken over the kicking duties, with Nathan Cleary playing under an injury cloud and unable to kick, perhaps that greatest comeback of all time may have come to fruition.

Queensland did not score a point in the second half, while New South Wales piled on four unanswered tries.

Post-match, the discussion focused on: Calvin’s refereeing, Munster’s inspirational performance as Maroons skipper, To’o’s magnificent three try effort in a beaten side, and the inevitable questions: ‘will New South Wales make changes?’ – ‘will Cleary be fit for Game 3, and of not who could possibly play halfback in the decider?’

The decider: Sydney Olympic Stadium, July 9.

Do yourself a favour, whether here in our great southern land, or tune in from Europe.

 

 

Full time: Queensland 26 defeated New South Wales 24 (series tied at 1-1) 

Queensland team list: Ponga, Coates, Toia, Tabuai-Fidow, Holmes, Munster, (captain), Dearden, Fotuaika, Grant, Fa’asuameleaui, Cotter, Capwell, Loirero. Bench: Mann, Collins, Nanai, Carrigan. Coach: Billy Slater

New South Wales team list: Edwards, To’o, Mitchell, S Crichton, Lomax, Luai, Cleary, King, Robson, Haas, Martin, A Crichton, Yeo (captain). Bench: Watson, Leniu, Young, Utoikamanu. Coach: Laurie Daley

 

 

Points:

Queensland: tries (4) Tabuai-Fidow 12’ & 19’, Munster 30’, Capewell 36’. Goals: Holmes 5/5

New South Wales: tries (5) To’o 6’ & 45’, S Crichton 56’, To’o 64’, A Crichton 71’. Goals: Lomax 2/5

Half time: Queensland 26-6

Penalties: Queensland 10-2

6 again restarts: New South Wales 5-2

Referee: Ashley ‘Calvin’ Klein

Attendance: 57, 023

 

Highlights:

2025 State of Origin | Match Highlights | Maroons v Blues | Game 2

Queensland press conference

2025 State of Origin Press Conference | Maroons | Game 2

New South Wales press conference

2025 State of Origin Press Conference | Blues | Game 2

 

 

Rabbit in the Vineyard State of Origin player of the series points:

Game 2: 3 – Kurt Capewell, 2 – Cameron Munster, 1 – Payne Haas

Game 1: 3- Payne Haas, 2 – Isaiah Yeo, 1 – Stephen Crichton

Progressive:

4 – Payne Haas, 3 Kurt Capwell, 2 – Isaiah Yeo and Cameron Munster, 1 – Stephen Crichton

 

Supplementary Barossa red wine of the week:

From the JTH cellar: Rockford 2020 Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet

 

 

 

 

Russel Hansen was born in Kingaroy, Queenland (post code 4610) is South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, and lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia.

His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the South Sydney captain.

Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen

 

Read more from Rabbit in the Vineyard HERE.

 

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To see the full 2025 season draw for the NRL click HERE.

To see the full 2025 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.

To see the details for State of Origin in 2025 click HERE.

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