State of Origin State of Origin 2025

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2025 Crystal Ball: Who will make their men's Origin debut?​

AuthorNRL.com
Sun 5 Jan 2025, 06:01 am

After watching nine players make their state debut in the 2024 campaign, we're looking at who the most likely candidate is to breakthrough this coming season for the Blues or Maroons.​

The NRL.com writers offer up their take on the players who will be in the frame to make their men's State of Origin debut in 2025.

Who will make their men's Origin debut?​

Brad Walter: Time and time again the value of having a genuine utility on the bench has been proven at Origin level but NSW have never been able to find another player with the versatility of Craig Wing. Melbourne's Tyran Wishart may not yet be in the same class as Wing, but he has stood up whenever called upon at the Storm and can comfortably play fullback, wing, five-eighth, halfback and hooker, as well as backrow if needed. Storm coach Craig Bellamy is obviously a fan and he will have input into the make-up of the NSW team so if Wishart continues to improve the Gerringong product could follow in the footsteps of father Rod, who played 22 Origins from 1990 to 1998.
Cameron Mee: Melbourne youngster Trent Loiero is a forward with Queensland Origin written all over him. The lock was part of the Maroons extended squad throughout the 2024 series and was 18th man for the decider at Suncorp Stadium. The experience provided an important induction into the Queensland Origin environment and laid the foundation for an impressive finish to the season. Loiero will be 24 next year and is set to take his game to another level in 2025 in Craig Bellamy's Storm system. A forward with the capability to play on the edge or in the middle, Loiero has the ability to start or provide versatility as a bench option for Maroons coach Billy Slater.

Plath for two

Colleen Edwards: Suspension may have ruled him out of contention for Rookie of the Year this past season with the honour going to his team-mate Jack Bostock, but Dolphins halfback-turned-forward Max Plath's star continues to rise. Regarded as one of the fittest players at the club, Plath showed his utility value when he was thrust into the starting hooker role following a long-term injury in Round 17 to Jeremy Marshall-King. He also spent time at lock filling in for Tom Gilbert at the start of the season. With the fast pace and unpredictability of Origin, Plath looms as a versatile bench option for Queensland.

Corey Rosser: The Maroons are pretty well stocked in the middle right now, but I can see Broncos big man Corey Jensen getting a look in during the upcoming campaign, with Felise Kaufusi – who featured in all three games last year – turning 33 before the 2025 campaign kicks off and unlikely to feature again. An excellent defensive presence who tackled at just under 96 percent efficiency last season, in addition to averaging 129 metres while regularly being Brisbane's senior middle forward in the absence of Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan, Jensen is at the peak of his powers ahead of year nine in the NRL.

Corey Jensen Try

Martin Lenehan: Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham scored five tries in two Test matches for Australia at the 2022 World Cup but is yet to represent his state. After scoring 16 tries in 21 matches for Souths in 2023, Graham looked set to stake a claim for Blues selection in 2024, but the sternum injury he had battled for 12 months finally got the better of him and he went under the knife. Graham watched on helplessly as the Rabbitohs fell away in 2024 but he is primed to return next season and will have every chance to push his Origin claims. At 25, Graham has plenty of good years ahead of him and expect him to be one of the driving forces behind a Rabbitohs revival in 2025.

2025 Crystal Ball: Who will make their men's Origin debut?

After watching nine players make their state debut in the 2024 campaign, we're looking at who the most likely candidate is to breakthrough this coming season for the Blues or Maroons.

www.nrl.com

 

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Daley returns to coach Westpac NSW Blues​

AuthorNSWRL
Mon 2 Dec 2024, 11:55 am

The NSW Rugby League is thrilled to announce the appointment today of Laurie Daley as the head coach of the Westpac NSW Blues.​

Daley, a Rugby League legend, a former Blues coach and captain, and a member of The Star NSWRL Hall of Fame, returns to lead the team with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the game.

He previously coached the Blues from 2013 to 2017, guiding the team through some of the most challenging and competitive series in State of Origin history. His leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in securing a memorable series victory in 2014, breaking Queensland's eight-year winning streak.
"We are excited to welcome Laurie Daley back as the head coach of the New South Wales men’s State of Origin team," said NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden.
"Laurie's extensive experience, both as a player and a coach, combined with his unwavering commitment to the success of the Blues, makes him the ideal candidate to lead our team into the future."
Daley's appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Blues, as they look to build on the 2024 series success and claim the 2025 State of Origin shield.
"I am honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to coach the New South Wales Blues once again," said Laurie Daley.
"I have always been passionate about State of Origin and the pride that comes with representing New South Wales. I look forward to working with the players, staff, and supporters to achieve our goals. I am conscious of my responsibility to them and I look forward to building on the great work of Madge (Michael Maguire) last year to keep the shield in New South Wales."
NSWRL extends its gratitude to the outgoing coach, Michael Maguire, for his dedication and contribution to the organisation.
Trodden said: “One of the great legacies which Madge leaves is the structure which he put in place in 2024.
“That structure will remain for 2025 with Frank Ponissi again filling the role of Team Performance Manager and Matt King, for whom we have the highest regard, having been offered the role of Senior Assistant Coach.

Brett White returns as an Assistant Coach and Gilbert Enoka stays in his role as Leadership Coach.”
To round out the off-field staff, the NSWRL is especially excited to welcome Craig Bellamy to a newly created role as an advisor to the State of Origin coaching staff.
Bellamy is renowned for his exceptional coaching career with Melbourne Storm and will provide invaluable expertise and strategic guidance to the team.
His extensive experience and proven track record in the NRL will be a tremendous asset, helping to shape the Blues' preparation and performance in the 2025 State of Origin series.
“Everyone in New South Wales should be excited about what lies ahead for the 2025 men’s State of Origin series,” Trodden said.
Daley and his High-Performance staff will come together in the near future to start planning, with a Blues camp set for February.

Daley returns to coach Westpac NSW Blues

Laurie Daley appointed Westpac NSW Blue head coach from 2025.

www.nswrl.com.au