NSW Crushes QLD in State of Origin Opener: Bungard's Analysis

NSW Dominates Queensland in State of Origin Opener; Bungard Analyzes the Victory Sydney, Australia – May 28, 2025 – New South Wales secured a resounding 18-6 victory over Queensland in the opening match of the 2025 State of Origin series at Lang Park. The Blues' performance was described as "dominant" by ESPN Australia/NZ commentator Matt Bungard, who highlighted the team's willingness to spread the ball and exploit Queensland's defensive weaknesses. "From the outset, they showed a willingness to throw the ball around, sending a lot of different shapes at the Queensland defense," Bungard stated in his analysis. He praised the Blues' forwards for their one-on-one success and the effectiveness of their outside backs, particularly Zach Lomax. Bungard also noted that several missed goals prevented an even more significant scoreline. While the victory was decisive, Bungard acknowledged some key moments that went against NSW, including a Queensland try just after halftime. Despite this, he emphasized the overall dominance of NSW throughout the 80 minutes of play. The game, he suggested, showcased two teams playing at "completely different speeds." For Queensland, Bungard highlighted Rob Toyer's defensive performance against Tom Mitchell as a rare positive. He questioned what changes Queensland coach Billy Slater might make before Game 2, concluding, "This looked like two teams playing at completely different speeds on Wednesday night." The Blues now head to Perth with a significant advantage, looking to secure the series victory in Game 2.