Since changing names from Lang Park to Suncorp Stadium in 2003, the venue has been a fortress for the QLD Maroons. The NSW Blues have only managed to win five out of their last 23 matches at the venue since the 2006 State of Origin series.
In front of their home fans, the Maroons have always performed at their absolute best, while the NSW Blues seem to lack confidence when entering the field at the venue.
Entering the match as outsiders in Game 3 of the 2024 State of Origin (this year’s decider), the Blues team, captained by Jake Trbojevic and coached by Michael Maguire, will be looking to make history next week.
As they attempt to become one of the few Blues teams to win at Suncorp Stadium, Palmerbet examines the past five times the state has won at the venue.
2021 State of Origin Series (Game 2)
It has been over three years since New South Wales defeated Queensland at the venue, with the last victory coming in 2021. Coached by Brad Fittler, the Blues annihilated their opponents 26-0 in front of 52,273 die-hard supporters.
The team consisted of star players such as Nathan Cleary, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic, while former Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr crossed for a double and ‘TrellMit’ and ‘Turbo’ would add extra tries to the scoreboard.
The victory also marked the beginning of an era with Fittler opting to use multiple players from the Penrith Panthers (a team that has gone on to win three straight NRL premierships) and players that will run out in this year’s Game 3 Origin match.
Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Cameron Murray, Isaah Yeo, Angus Crichton, Payne Haas, and Liam Martin are all members of that game’s Blues team that will run out onto the field on Wednesday evening.
2017 State of Origin Series (Game 1)
The NSW Blues got off to a BANG in the opening match of the 2017 State of Origin series, destroying Queensland at Suncorp Stadium 28-4. From the opening kick-off, the Blues had control over the entirety of the match and didn’t let off their hold until the final whistle, producing a sensational 80 minutes of rugby league.
Andrew Fifita, Jarryd Hayne, James Maloney, Mitchell Peace and James Tedesco all crossed for a try, whilst Maloney would go on to kick four out of five conversions from the kicking tee.
Coached by Laurie Daley, the team also consisted of star players such as Blake Ferguson, Brett Morris, Tyson Frizell and Boyd Cordner. Unfortunately, the NSW Blues lost the remaining two matches of the series to Queensland: 16-18 (Game 2) and 6-22 (Game 3).
Jake Trbojevic is the only player from that team who remains in the NSW Blues team, while Brett Morris, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce and Josh Jackson have gone on to become assistant coaches at their respective NRL clubs.
2014 State of Origin Series (Game 1)
The NSW Blues started the 2014 State of Origin series with a BANG! Entering the match with a new halves pairing in Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson replacing James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, the chemistry of the Bulldogs duo paid dividends.
The Blues would continue to make a few more changes and the game looked like it would be a demolition in favour of Queensland when Darius Boyd crossed the line in the opening five minutes of the match. However, the Blues heroically fought back and would control the majority of the match from then on.
Playing in front of a national television audience of over 4 million, Brett Morris and Jarryd Hayne both crossed for tries, while Hodkinson went two from four with his goal-kicking boot.
Celebrating the victory, the Blues would back it up with a stellar performance in Game 2, clinching their first series victory since 2005 and making it Mal Meninga’s first and only Origin series defeat since taking over as coach.
2009 State of Origin Series (Game 3)
Unfortunately, the NSW Blues victory at Suncorp Stadium didn’t alter the result of the series, as the QLD Maroons had already won the opening two matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
Heading into the clash with no expectations, the Blues were able to make sure it wasn’t a series whitewash as they won 28-16. However, the victory could be put down to Queensland making several changes such as Petero Civoniceva and Ben Hannant exiting the squad due to respective injuries.
Entering the match with the oldest halves pairing in Origin history – Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley – the Blues were able to win due to two tries to Ben Creagh, and one try each to Josh Morris and David Williams.
The match is also fondly remembered for the sin-binning of Creagh and Sam Thaiday, whilst lock Trent Waterhouse was sent from the field following a ‘blindsided’ punch on Steve Price.
2007 State of Origin Series (Game 3)
After losing the first two matches of the 2007 State of Origin series, the NSW Blues headed to Suncorp Stadium to avoid a whitewash and were able to do so, but unfortunately, the Maroons still celebrated with the shield at the end of the night.
Greg Bird was awarded the Player of the Match honours after a stellar showing in the halves, whilst Hazem El Masri, Jarryd Hayne and Matt King all crossed the line for tries – El Masri would convert three from three.
However, the Maroons interchange bench was extremely depleted as Dallas Johnson was knocked out cold, Greg Inglis succumbed to a knee injury and Brent Tate exited the field with a knee injury. This forced several players like Steve Price to play the entire 80 minutes despite looking extremely fatigued and tired.
Brett Kimmorley, Danny Buderus, Willie Mason, Andrew Ryan, Paul Gallen, and Luke Bailey are among the team members who would continue to work around the NSW Blues system as coaches or mentors.