State of Origin 2025 Game 2: Result, Time, Venue & Highlights
Few sporting rivalries deliver tension quite like State of Origin, and Game 2 of the 2025 series was no exception. Queensland Maroons edged NSW Blues 26-24 at Optus Stadium in Perth, setting up a winner-take-all decider in Sydney.
Date: Wednesday 18 June 2025 ·
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth ·
Result: Queensland Maroons 26 – NSW Blues 24 ·
Winning Team: Queensland Maroons ·
Margin: 2 points ·
Series Score: Queensland 1 – NSW 1
Quick snapshot
- Queensland Maroons 26 – NSW Blues 24 (NRL.com (official league site))
- Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth (Western Australian Government (state announcement))
- Date: 18 June 2025 (NRL.com (pre‑match guide))
- Queensland led 26-6 at halftime (RNZ (news outlet))
- Blues mounted a second-half comeback but fell short (Sydney Morning Herald (live coverage))
- Sam Walker (Queensland) – official man of the match (NRL.com)
- Game 1: NSW Blues 18 – Queensland Maroons 6 (NRL.com series recap) (QRL (match report))
- Game 2: Queensland Maroons 26 – NSW Blues 24 (QRL (match report))
- Game 3: Decider on 9 July 2025 in Sydney (QRL (match report))
Seven data points that define the match:
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 June 2025 |
| Venue | Optus Stadium, Perth |
| Result | Queensland 26 – NSW 24 |
| Winning Team | Queensland Maroons |
| Margin | 2 points |
| Man of the Match | Sam Walker (Queensland) |
| Series Score | 1-1 (decider in Game 3) |
What time is game 2 State of Origin?
Game 2 of the 2025 State of Origin series kicked off at 18:05 AWST (08:05 PM AEST) on Wednesday 18 June 2025. The match was scheduled as a standalone evening event to maximise prime-time viewership across Australia. The kick-off time was confirmed by the NRL ahead of the match (NRL.com (official league site)).
A later start in Perth (AWST) meant East Coast viewers got the main event in prime time, a scheduling win for broadcasters and a nod to Origin’s growing national appeal.
The implication: prime-time scheduling boosted ratings across the country.
Who won Game Two of Origin in 2025?
The Queensland Maroons defeated the NSW Blues 26–24 in a dramatic contest at Optus Stadium. According to NRL.com (official match report), the Maroons raced to a 26-6 halftime lead before withstanding a fierce Blues resurgence in the second half. The victory levelled the series at 1-1, forcing a decider in Sydney.
The Guardian (news outlet) described the win as an “unforgettable” result, noting how Queensland held off a desperate NSW side that scored 18 unanswered points in the second period (The Guardian (match report)).
BBC Sport summarised the match as “Queensland holding off a remarkable New South Wales resurgence to secure a 26-24 victory” (BBC Sport (news summary)).
Where was State of Origin 2025 Game 2 played?
Game 2 was hosted at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia. This was the third time the venue had staged a State of Origin match, following games in 2019 (NSW won 38-6) and 2022 (NSW won 44-12). The stadium, with a capacity of over 60,000, was confirmed as the location in a government announcement (Western Australian Government state announcement).
Queensland’s win ended NSW’s unbeaten record at the venue (NRL.com historic note). The Guardian live blog noted that the last time these teams met at Optus Stadium, NSW won 38-6 in 2019 (The Guardian (live blog)).
What date is game 3 State of Origin?
Game 3 of the 2025 State of Origin series is scheduled for Wednesday 9 July 2025 in Sydney. The date was set by the NRL as part of the annual Origin schedule (NRL.com pre‑match guide). The match will determine the series winner after the two Game split.
Why is Reece Walsh not playing Origin?
Reece Walsh, Queensland’s star fullback, missed Game 2 due to a concussion/head injury sustained during Game 1. The injury forced him out of the squad, with the Maroons opting not to risk his recovery. Walsh was a notable absentee, as his dynamic play had been a key part of Queensland’s Game 1 attack (NRL.com injury report).
Without Walsh, Queensland lost some attacking spark, but the Maroons found other ways to score — a sign of depth that will be crucial in the decider if Walsh remains sidelined.
The pattern: without Walsh, the Maroons showed they can win through collective effort.
Timeline of the 2025 State of Origin Series
The 2025 State of Origin series schedule and results are documented by the NRL (NRL.com official league site).
- 28 May 2025 – Game 1: NSW Blues win 18-6 in Brisbane.
- 18 June 2025 – Game 2: Queensland Maroons win 26-24 in Perth.
- 9 July 2025 – Game 3: Decider in Sydney.
The pattern: one-sided Game 1, a gutsy Queensland turnaround, and a all-in decider. The implication: momentum now tilts toward the Maroons, but NSW have home‑ground advantage in the final.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Game 2 score: Queensland 26 – NSW 24 (NRL.com official league site)
- Reece Walsh missed Game 2 due to injury (NRL.com injury report)
- Sam Walker named man of the match (NRL.com official league site)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of Walsh’s concussion (no official detail released)
- Official attendance figure for Game 2 (not yet confirmed by venue)
- Exact try-scorers for each team (not listed in available sources)
“The Maroons were unable to score in the second half while NSW surged back into the match.” – RNZ (news outlet) (source)
“An unforgettable 26-24 victory for Queensland in Perth.” – The Guardian (news outlet) (source)
For the NSW Blues, the challenge is clear: regroup and win the decider in Sydney on 9 July, or face another year of Queensland dominance. The margin is razor‑thin — 2 points — and the series is now a one‑game shootout.
youtube.com, rugbyleagueproject.org, narrabricourier.com.au, theroar.com.au
Frequently asked questions
What was the halftime score of State of Origin 2025 Game 2?
Queensland led 26-6 at halftime (RNZ (news outlet)).
How many tries did each team score?
Queensland scored five tries while NSW scored four (NRL.com match report).
Who scored the winning try?
Specific try‑scorers are not listed in the available sources, but the winning margin came through a conversion or penalty.
What is the series score after Game 2?
Queensland 1 – NSW 1, with the decider set for Game 3 (QRL (match report)).
When is Game 3 of State of Origin 2025?
Wednesday 9 July 2025 (NRL.com pre‑match guide).
Where is Game 3 played?
At a venue in Sydney; the specific stadium has not been confirmed in the sources.
Did Reece Walsh play in Game 1?
Yes, Walsh played in Game 1 and suffered a head injury that kept him out of Game 2 (NRL.com injury report).
Who is Sam Walker?
Sam Walker is the Queensland halfback who was named man of the match in Game 2 (NRL.com official league site).
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