Queensland Origin Team: 2025 Maroons Players & Eligibility

Nickname: Maroons · Represents: Queensland · Sport: Rugby league · Rival Team: New South Wales Blues · 2025 Series: Game 3 teams named

Key facts about the Queensland Maroons

The following table summarizes the essential details about the team and how it operates.

What is the QLD State of Origin team?

The Queensland State of Origin team — nicknamed the Maroons after their distinctive jersey colour — is rugby league’s most iconic representative side. The side competes annually against the New South Wales Blues in a best-of-three series that has defined the sport in Australia since 1982. The 2025 series was the 44th annual iteration of this rivalry (Wikipedia).

Nickname and representation

The “Maroons” label reflects the team’s deep maroon jerseys, instantly recognisable across the NRL world. Queensland players are drawn from athletes born in the state, those who resided there before turning 13, or sons of former Origin players. The QRL maintains an official eligible players list covering everyone from Selwyn Cobbo to Cameron Munster (QRL Official).

Role in State of Origin series

State of Origin is about where you’re from and which state you’re eligible for — not which country you represent internationally. The NRL describes it as a contest that captures “where you’re from” above all else (ESPN). For Queensland fans, the Maroons represent more than a team; they embody the state’s identity and sporting pride.

Who are the teams in the State of Origin?

State of Origin centres on two teams: the Queensland Maroons and the NSW Blues. The format is a best-of-three series played each year, typically in May-July, with venues alternating between the states.

Queensland Maroons

Billy Slater named his 2025 Maroons squads across all three games. The pattern showed notable consistency in some positions while featuring rotation in others.

• Fullback: Kalyn Ponga started Games 1 and 2; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow took over in Game 3 (Wikipedia)
• Five-eighth: Cameron Munster captained Games 2 and 3, starting every match (Wikipedia)
• Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans captained Game 1; Tom Dearden took over for Games 2 and 3 (Wikipedia)
• Prop: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started all three games; Moeaki Fotuaika covered Games 1-2, Josh Papali’i Game 3 (Wikipedia)
• Hooker: Harry Grant started all three games (Wikipedia)
• Wing: Xavier Coates started all three games; Valentine Holmes shifted between wing and centre (Wikipedia)
• Centre: Robert Toia started all three games (Wikipedia)
• Second row: Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai featured prominently across the series (Wikipedia)
• Interchange: Tom Dearden, Lindsay Collins, Beau Fermor featured in Game 1 (Wikipedia)

New South Wales Blues

The Blues represent New South Wales in the same format. The rivalry between the Maroons and Blues is one of the most passionate in world sport. Players like James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, and Liam Martin have featured prominently for NSW in recent series.

The implication: The Maroons’ squad depth gets tested every year as injuries and form fluctuations force changes — Billy Slater managed this across all three 2025 matches.

How have State of Origin eligibility rules changed?

The Australian Rugby League Commission modernised eligibility rules to allow players who represent Tier 1 nations like England and New Zealand to play Origin if they meet state-based criteria. This marks a significant shift from earlier policy.

Previous vs. new rules

Previous rules barred players who represented Tier 1 nations (England, New Zealand) from Origin, but Tier 2 nations (Samoa, Tonga) were already eligible. Players like Addin Fonua-Blake became eligible for NSW after playing one Test for New Zealand (ESPN). Kalyn Ponga, AJ Brimson, and Victor Radley became eligible for Origin after representing New Zealand or England (ESPN). New rules approved by the ARL Commission in December 2012 required players to elect Australia and not represent other Tier 1 nations at senior level (NRL Official).

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria include being born in NSW or Queensland, residing there before age 13, or father played State of Origin for that state. The age 13 threshold was chosen because high school and international rules start around that time (NRL Official).

Eligibility is determined by majority answers to six questions: birth state, junior rugby state U6-U18, school state K-12, first junior rep, first school state rep, father Origin player. Players playing Origin at U18, U20 or senior level lock in their state eligibility (NRL Official).

Who will replace Mitch Moses?

Mitch Moses has been a key halfback for the NSW Blues, and his potential replacement would likely come from within the Blues squad. For Queensland, the halfback position saw its own transition with Tom Dearden taking over from Daly Cherry-Evans across Games 2 and 3 of 2025 (Wikipedia).

Replacement considerations

For the Blues, options include players with Origin experience or those who have performed strongly in the NRL. For Queensland, Dearden has now proven himself at Origin level after his 2025 appearances. The emerging talent pool — players like Cowley-Jones or others from NRL clubs — represents future options for both states.

The implication: Halfback is one of the most crucial positions in Origin. Both states face succession planning as veteran halfbacks age — Queensland’s transition to Dearden shows how quickly a new halfback can step up.

Do State of Origin players get paid?

State of Origin players receive payment for their appearances, though exact figures vary based on contracts and negotiations. Players are paid by the NRL for representing their state, separate from their club salaries.

Payment structure

State of Origin players get paid appearance fees by the NRL. Match payments are separate from NRL contracts with clubs. The 2012 rules required players to elect Australia if they wanted to play Origin and receive these payments. Players receive match fees for each Origin game they participate in (NRL Official).

NRL match payments

Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, but top players can reportedly earn between $50,000 and $100,000 per Origin match through appearance fees and bonuses. Players with State of Origin commitments in their NRL contracts often negotiate specific clauses related to these payments.

Can Jayden Campbell play for QLD?

Jayden Campbell’s eligibility for Queensland hinges on whether he meets the residency, birthplace, or lineage criteria established by the NRL eligibility framework.

Eligibility rules

Under current rules, players can be eligible for Queensland if born in Queensland, resided there before age 13, or their father played Origin for Queensland. Players from Tier 2 nations were already eligible under previous rules. Tier 1 nation players like those from New Zealand or England became eligible under the updated framework if they meet state residency criteria (ESPN).

Career background

Whether Campbell can play for Queensland reportedly depends on his specific circumstances. According to ESPN’s analysis of eligibility changes, players like Campbell who might have been previously ineligible could benefit from the rule modernisation. However, his exact eligibility status cannot be confirmed without verifying his birthplace, residency history, and family background against the six-question criteria.

Who is the best State of Origin player?

Defining the “best” State of Origin player depends on whether you’re measuring all-time records, recent performance, or career longevity. ESPN maintains all-time statistics and records for Origin players from both states.

All-time records

All-time records for Origin are maintained by ESPN and other statistical services. Players like Cameron Smith (most games as captain), Jonathan Thurston (Dally M Medal winner), and Cooper Cronk represent Queensland legends whose records set benchmarks for future generations.

Queensland legends

Queensland has produced numerous Origin legends across the 44-year history of the series. Players who have consistently performed at the highest level across multiple series define what it means to wear the maroon jersey. The 2025 squad featured current stars like Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans carrying that tradition forward.

The implication: The Maroons’ success across four decades reflects both individual excellence and a culture that develops elite Origin players. The 2025 squad continues that legacy with players like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Harry Grant establishing themselves as durable starters.

Queensland Maroons Timeline

The pattern is clear: eligibility rules have progressively opened Origin to more players, while the on-field competition remains as fierce as ever. The 2027 Auckland game marks a new chapter — the first overseas Origin match during the regular season.

What’s clear and what isn’t

Expert perspectives

NRL Official spokesperson — State of Origin is about where you’re from and what state you’re eligible for — not which country you represent internationally. ESPN

Footy IQ Host — The rules around Origin eligibility don’t really change. They’ve picked the age of 13, which it’s always been. Footy IQ YouTube

NRL Official spokesperson — If you’re eligible, you should be able to play for your state. ESPN

The bottom line: The Maroons entered 2025 with Billy Slater selecting Kalyn Ponga over Reece Walsh for Game 1 fullback — a decision that reflects modern eligibility expanding squad options while form remains the ultimate selector. The 2026 series will test how well Queensland has developed its next generation as current veterans age.