It's State of Origin showdown: QLD and NSW clash in epic battle of Pacific heritage

Game one of State of Origin kicks off tonight in Brisbane, marking not just another event for footy fanatics to get excited about, but also showcasing 'Australian sport's greatest rivalry' between Queensland and New South Wales.

After a successful stint as captain of the NSW Blues, head coach Laurie Daley, also known as Lozza or Loz, will lead his boys onto Suncorp Stadium - the stronghold of the Maroons. Daley also coached NSW from 2013 to 2017.

For Maroons legend Billy Slater, this is his fourth Origin series as head coach of Queensland. He has won three series in this role but lost the 2024 championship to Michael Maguire, who had a successful stint with the New Zealand Kiwis.

Tonight's match will feature 12 players of Pacific heritage across both 40-man squads - seven in the Maroons and five for the Blues. The number of Pacific players on both sides has increased each year, but this year there are four fewer than in 2024.

Let’s look at both squads and highlight which Pacific champions will compete in the 2025 Ampol State of Origin Series.

Queensland Maroons: Xavier Coates (Papua New Guinea), Robert To'ia (Tonga), Hamiso Tabuia-Fidow (Torres-Strait Islands/Sāmoa), Valentine Holmes (Cook Islands), Moeaki Fotuaika (Tonga), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Sāmoa), Jeremiah Nanai (Sāmoa).

New South Wales Blues: Brian To’o (Sāmoa), Stephen Crichton (Sāmoa), Payne Haas (Sāmoa), Spencer Leniu (Sāmoa), Setefano Utoikamanu (Sāmoa).

Meanwhile, Matt Burton has been rushed into the NSW camp after the side was rocked by another injury, this time to influential centre Crichton, who is reportedly set to be ruled out of tonight's game.

The 24-year-old picked up a quad injury at Blues training, and footage of him leaving the closed session with ice and heavy strapping caused a stir online.

State of Origin eligibility

As State of Origin is an Australian competition, there has been debate about whether players selected for both teams should have represented the Kangaroos internationally.

Some State of Origin representatives have not held international caps in recent years, fuelling selection discussions.

According to the official eligibility rules for State of Origin, if you were born in NSW or QLD, your eligibility to play for either state depends on where you played most of your junior rugby league.

You can represent the respective state if you were not born in NSW or QLD but lived in each state before your 13th birthday.

Sāmoan representatives Brian To'o and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in their respective Origin colours. Photo/NRL

The eligibility criteria were revamped in 2012, leading to two Pacific athletes being denied eligibility.

Jason Taumalolo: Taumalolo moved to Queensland before he was 13, making him eligible to play for the Maroons. He had an opportunity to be selected in 2012 for the Sunshine State, but chose to represent New Zealand instead. He debuted for the Kiwis in 2014 and played over 10 games for the side, which rendered him ineligible to represent Queensland because he had played for a tier one nation.

Ronaldo Mulitalo: Mulitalo moved from South Auckland to Ipswich, Brisbane, when he was 13. Despite playing his junior grades for Ōtara, he was named in the 2021 Maroons' squad but was ultimately ruled out due to ineligibility. At the time, Mulitalo expressed his dream to represent Queensland and eventually opted to play for the New Zealand Kiwis.

Pacific Players in State of Origin: A total of 60 players of Pacific heritage have competed in State of Origin history, including:

New South Wales - Queensland

Kevin Nagas (Solomon Islands) Mal Meninga (Vanuatu)

John Hopoate (Tonga) Adrian Lam (PNG)

Jim Dymock (Tonga) Gordon Tallia (Tonga)

Timana Tahu (Maori) Lote Tuqiri (Fiji)

Willie Mason (Tonga) Petero Civoniceva (Fiji)

Brent Kite (Tonga) Willie Tonga (Tonga)

Jarrod Hayne (Fiji) Karmichael Hunt (Cook Islands/Sāmoa)

Anthony Tupou (Tonga) Antonio Kaufusi (Tonga)

Michael Jennings (Tonga) Israel Folau (Tonga)

Aquila Uate (Fiji) Ben Te’o (Sāmoa)

Will Hopoate (Tonga) Josh Papali’i (Sāmoa)

James Tamou (Māori) Maguire (Sāmoa)

Tony Williams (Tonga) Dane Gagai (Maori)

Andrew Fifita (Tonga) Anthony Milford (Sāmoa)

Daniel Tupou (Tonga) Dylan Napa (Cook Is.)

Dylan Walker (Maori) Felise Kaufusi (Tonga)

Tyson Frizell (Tonga) Kalyn Ponga (Maori)

Payne Haas (Sāmoa) Joe Ofahengaue (Tonga)

Daniel Saifiti (Fiji) David Fifita (Tonga)

Junior Paulo (Sāmoa) Phillip Sami (Sāmoa)

Jerome Luai (Sāmoa) Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Sāmoa)

Brian To’o (Sāmoa) Jaydn Su’a (Sāmoa)

Api Koroisau (Fiji) Dynamos Lui (Sāmoa)

Stephen Crichton (Sāmoa) Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Sāmoa/Torres Strait)

Sifa Talakai (Tonga) Jeremiah Nanai (Sāmoa)

Jacob Saifiti (Fiji) Murray Taulagi (Sāmoa)

Tevita Pangai Jr (Tonga) Ezra Mam (Torres Strait Is)

Stefano Utoikamanu (Sāmoa) Keon Koloamatangi (Tonga)

Xavier Coates (PNG), Robert To'ia (Tonga)

Moeaki Fotuaika (Tonga) Jeremaih Nanai (Sāmoa)

Spencer Leniu will feature for the Blues in tonight's opener in Brisbane. Photo/AAP/Dan Himbrechts/ Photosport

Game on!

The event highlights the impressive array of Pacific athletes involved in the sport, showcasing their talent at the highest level.

The younger generation of rugby league fans grew up during the powerful era of the Queensland Maroons. The Maroons won eight consecutive titles and featured game legends such as Israel Folau, Ben Te’o, and Josh Papali'i. Meanwhile, stars like Petero Civoniceva, Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, and Andrew Fifita contributed significantly to the Maroons' legacy.

The Sāmoan lineup for NSW competing against Queensland's mixed-Pacific powerhouses is expected to be an exciting matchup.

Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane has a capacity of 52,500 and Game One of State of Origin 2025 will be played here. Photo/Jono Searle/Photosport

Tonight’s match promises to be eventful as 12 Pacific athletes prepare to compete in the “pinnacle of rugby league”, the State of Origin!

Suncorp Stadium has been sold out. The game kicks off at 10.05pm (New Zealand time).

Brisbane's weather is expected to be clear, with a zero per cent chance of rain. The top temperature is 22 °C, with a minimum of 14 °C. It should be around 16 °C at kick-off. May the best team win!