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Sport Nation
Did Queensland play the perfect game of rugby league?
Charles Goodsir • July 10th, 2025 1:55 pm
Rugby league immortal and legendary Maroons coach Mal Meninga has described Queensland’s Game III victory as perfection.
Queensland barely put a foot wrong as they ran out 24-12 winners after establishing a 20-point lead at half time.
Meninga, who coached Queensland to eight consecutive series wins, said all 17 players performed to the level required to snatch victory in enemy territory.
“You can go back to 1980 (and) Queensland has always expected all 17 players to play their part,” Meninga said on SENQ Breakfast.
“That’s been a catch-cry for 45 years and I know that’s what happened on Wednesday night.
“17 men went out with a purpose, they carried the entire state on their shoulders and that’s it.
“Tom Dearden had a fantastic game, Harry Grant was also magnificent but all 17 players had a dig.
“The more sets Queensland completed, the more fatigued NSW got. If you want to play a perfect game of rugby league, that was it.
“To have a completion rate of 100% in the first half in an Origin game is unbelievable.
“Celebrate it because winning an Origin series gives you bragging rights for another 12 months.
“Every time we put a Maroons jersey on, we are playing for respect and I know that Billy Slater has carried that (mantra) on.
“It was a great performance under pressure. Queenslanders embraced it and NSW struggled with it.”
After dropping the opening game of the series at home in Brisbane, Queensland were heavy underdogs for the remainder of the series for Game II in Perth and Game III in Sydney.
Meninga believes NSW failed to have a contingency plan after Queensland dominated the opening exchanges.
“NSW started pretty well,” Meninga added.
“They were expecting to blow Queensland apart. You just don’t do that in Origin. You have to work your butt off for 80 minutes.
“NSW have no excuses to put it bluntly.”
Queensland secured their 25th State of Origin title and extended their lead over NSW’s 17.
