2025 State of Origin Report
The 2025 State of Origin Series was unlike any other previous Series with the trialing of two point tries (if scored from within your own half) as well as extra large in-goals, ensuring some of the most exciting TRL ever witnessed on our livestream.
In 2024, NSW took out Men’s, Women’s and Men’s 30s with QLD having their worst year on record. In 2025, a new look leadership structure for QLD TRL saw Adam Breakspear bring a hardened and professional edge to the selection process and preparation, generally. Many big names missed out on selection losing their spots to in form and (previously) lesser known TRL players.
For NSW, 2025 was about trying to replicate 2024 but with a large number of debutants. The 2025 saw a record number of players travel from south of the border for the series. All up approximately 60% of all players came from competitions run in Sydney, regional NSW and Victoria.
In the Women’s series, this was an incredibly low scoring affair with only 13 points being scored across three games. In the end, the Logan combination of Wong and Crotty proved pivotal in QLD’s eventual clean-sweep as they took out the Series 3-0.
In the Men’s series, after an incredibly tight game one which ended in a 2-2 draw, QLD got the upper hand in game two 6-0. Heading into game three, NSW had to win to force the series to extra time and they arguably had the better of the game in the first half before a fast finishing QLD closed out the game and the series.
In Mixed, NSW were well fancied and had spent considerable time training together in the leadup with all players from Sydney or surrounding areas. They came to the Gold Coast with a plan to use their kicking and speed of their wingers but came up against a very polished QLD Mixed side that has never lost an Origin Series. QLD were ready to go in game one with the East Brisbane and Logan connections firing, and it showed on the scoreboard with a comfortable 9 point victory. NSW improved significantly in game two (narrowly going down) before drawing game three. The Blues will salvage plenty from the experience and Series.
In Men’s 30s, it was a new look NSW team with several debutants from the Illawarra and Melbourne regions. Whilst many pundits felt they would retain the Shield they won in 2024, in the end, a harder-edged and more focused QLD were too strong across all three games. The scores were tight – especially in games two and three – but QLD through Dan Moloney (pictured above) were too good in the most important moments.
Male player of the Series: Toia Tuhe (QLD)
Female player of the Series: Elise Wong (QLD)
Mixed player of the Series: Jayden Cummins (QLD)
Men’s 30s player of the Series: Liam Vuik (NSW)
Finally, a big thankyou to our major sponsors including EV2 Sportswear, Gallagher, ENP Fitouts and Experience Gold Coast.
2025 World Cup Report
Similarly to the Origin Series, the World Cup implemented the two point try rule (if you score from your own half) and had the larger in goals. These tweaks saw an exciting brand of TRL played across the weekend.
Whilst we do not have statistics on hand to labour the point, there were a significant number of kick tries and long range tries scored across the 200+ games of TRL. TRL was created to mimic the most exciting elements of attacking Rugby League and it was exhilarating to watch the best players put on a show!
Before getting into each discipline below, I want to pay tribute to the Nation Managers that made this Event possible. In particular, special kudos must be given to Ellis Jensen from the Philippines (7 teams); Jordie Reid from New Zealand (5 teams); Zak Ryan from Denmark (5 teams) and Brenton Sullivan from Indigenous (5 teams) who accounted for the largest Nations at the Event.
In the Women’s Cup GF, China proved too strong despite an emotional and spine tingling Haka by the Aotearoa Māori women. China have been building for a number of years having gone down in a semi final to Australia in 2024. In the Premier League GF, Australia came up against Philippines in what was a star studded game. It was a see-sawing and epic match which the Aussie girls ended up winning – Izzy Buirski being a standout player not only in the GF but across the weekend.
In the Mixed Plate GF, England were too strong for the Indigenous winning 8-2 – it was a particularly impressive result with England having lost to this same side in the round games. In the Cup division, Greece Poseidon were too strong for New Zealand White in what was a particularly passionate game with both teams giving it 100% at all times. Finally, in the show-piece game for Premier League, Denmark were too strong for Australia taking it out in nail-biter 3-2. The big three of Troy Ford, Toia Tuhe and Zac Ryan providing too much TRL IQ for the Australians who had not lost a game before that point in time.
In the Men’s Plate GF, everyone’s second favourite team – Fiji (pictured below) – were too strong for the Barbarians and should be commended on a very successful weekend having only lost two games (total) out of their 9 games. Fiji are a team on the rise – there is probably no more exciting side to watch in full flight and the rule changes for the Event certainly helped their strategy.
In the Men’s Cup GF, Greece were too strong for the Philippines taking out the GF 10-4 and making that a second GF win for the Mediterranean powerhouse.
In the glamour game for the Premier League GF, Denmark again matched up to Australia and there were many familiar faces out there. This was a game between two styles – an out and out TRL team in Denmark that looks to use their kicking game to not only score two-pointers but obtain repeat sets and control the game; and an Australian side housing many good ball players and ball runners but limited kick options. In the end, the Denmark side were too strong but Australia should be commended for the way they took the game to Denmark in the second half. It was a much closer game than the 6-3 scoreline (to Denmark) would suggest. The victory means Denmark have now won four out of the last five World Cups in Men’s Premier League.
Finally, in Men’s 30s, Australia were too strong for New Zealand but not before an almighty scare only taking it out 4-3. It was a thrilling game and Australia were lucky to win. New Zealand brought a very attacking mindset to the final and were nearly able to pull off a miracle.
Full Results
Women’s Cup winners: China
Women’s Premier League winners: Australia
Mixed Plate winners: England
Mixed Cup winners: Greece
Mixed Premier League winners: Denmark
Men’s Plate winners: Fiji
Men’s Cup winners: Greece
Men’s Premier League winners: Denmark
Men’s 30s winners: Australia
Female player of the Tournament: Izzy Buirski (Australia)
Mixed player of the Tournament: Troy Ford (Denmark)
Men’s 30s player of the Tournament: Dan Moloney (Australia)
Men’s player of the Tournament: Zac Ryan (Denmark)
Golden Whistle (best referee): Ellen Otte (Melbourne)
Finally, a big thankyou to our major sponsors including EV2 Sportswear, Gallagher, ENP Fitouts and Experience Gold Coast.
Tom Longworth