The 2025 series had quite a twist to it, as we will see. This article only covers this season. For a brief overview, please click here. If you want the history in detail, then simply click here. Now for the 2025 series.
Game 1: Played in Queensland in front of 52,500 passionate 'Banana Benders'. NSW were all over the locals and having led 14-2 at half time went on to win 18-6. It seemed that NSW were so on top that they didn't press home their advantage fully. I wondered if that would come home to bite them.
Game 2: This match was taken across the country the Perth and there was an impressive attendance of 57,000. Queensland raced to an emphatic 26-6 lead at the break and hung on to win 26-24. To me it seemed that NSW was the better team but were out enthused in the first half.
Game 3: Having been well beaten first up and sneaked a second game win, Queensland went to NSW with a chance to win the series although overall they had been outplayed by NSW. Queenslanders may question that opinion.
The fact is the Queensland side played the perfect first half and didn't give NSW anything. The 20-0 scoreline looked ominous but NSW came back as expected. However, unlike Perth where Queensland nearly got run down, this time they put in two halves of quality. While they lose the second half 12-4, that was enough run out deserved winners.
Summary: While NSW should have won this series, they didn't. Were they too confident? I felt the second half of game one turned out to be very important. NSW were totally on top but didn't drive that home. That gave Queensland some belief and by game three, that belief was oozing out of each and every player.
The game three highlight video is below: