2025 NRL: State of Origin 2 and Round 15 Recap

Check out what happened in round 15 (and State of Origin Game 2) of the National Rugby League competition.

Review

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Canterbury-Bankstown (26, +98) finished round 15 on top of the ladder after a win over South Sydney at Accor Stadium. They’re followed by Canberra (24, +96), the NZ Warriors (24, +35), and Melbourne (22, +171). Cronulla-Sutherland (18, +26), The Dolphins (16, +146), Brisbane (16, +44), and the Sydney Roosters (16, -18) rounded out the top eight.

Brisbane, Canberra, Penrith, Melbourne, the Wests Tigers, Parramatta, and the NZ Warriors all collected two bye points in the second Origin split round, with the Raiders briefly overtaking the Bulldogs in first place.

The Bulldogs led 18-0 after 31 minutes when the players were forced off the field for a lightning delay. They returned 25 minutes later, with Alex Johnston getting Souths on the board before half-time (and one try closer to Ken Irvine’s record). Tallis Duncan scored 16 minutes into the second half to cut Canterbury’s lead to eight. Marcelo Montoya answered two minutes later to give the Bulldogs a 12-point buffer. Jack Wighton and Tyrone Munro kept Souths in the game, but Canterbury hung on, with Toby Sexton scoring 12 points (a try and four goals).

Braydon Trindall and Sione Katoa both scored try doubles in Cronulla-Sutherland’s win against St George Illawarra at Sharks Stadium. After heavy losses to the Sydney Roosters and the NZ Warriors, the Sharks looked in danger of a third straight loss as they trailed the Dragons 18-6 at half-time. But the doubles to Trindall and Katoa helped the Sharks win the second half 24-0.

Jack Bostock scored four tries in The Dolphins’ big win over North Queensland at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The Dolphins marked their third straight win – and second straight score of 50+ points – with 10 tries, Bostock’s haul (he nearly had a fifth try), and nine goals to Jamayne Isaako.

The Sydney Roosters came from 8-0 down to beat Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Roosters’ comeback began in the 60th minute: James Schiller knocked on while trying to score in the corner – which could have given Newcastle a double-digit lead – before Salesi Foketi scored for the Roosters a few tackles later, cutting Newcastle’s lead to 8-6. The game-winning try to Siua Wong was contentious, with question marks over whether Wong grounded it properly. It’s the Roosters’ second win without their Origin players.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira scored two tries as the Gold Coast beat Manly Warringah at Cbus Super Stadium. Khan-Pereira’s two tries came in the first half as the Titans led 22-8 at half-time. Jayden Campbell scored 12 points (a try and four goals). While the Titans are still last, they’re level on points with Parramatta and Newcastle. Manly’s night got worse when Haumole Olakau’atu dislocated his shoulder trying to score a try.

State of Origin Game 2

Queensland held off a massive NSW comeback to to win game two at Optus Stadium and force a decider. Two tries to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow gave the Maroons at 26-6 half-time lead, which seemed more than enough in Perth’s torrential rain. But the Blues nearly pulled off one of the greatest Origin comebacks: a hat-trick to Brian To’o cutting the margin to two points with seven minutes left. The Blues had plenty of chances to score the winning try, but Queensland held on. While NSW scored five tries to four, Valentine Holmes’ five goals from five was the difference. With Nathan Clearly not kicking, Zac Lomax only kicked two goals from five. The series heads to Sydney for the Accor Stadium decider on July 9.

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Results

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 30 defeated St George-Illawarra Dragons 18 (Sharks Stadium, 12/6/2025, 19:50)

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Toby Rudolf 14. Daniel Atkinson

Players cut from final squad: 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Jayden Berrell 22. Billy Burns

Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Nathan Lawson 3. Moses Suli 21. Nicholas Tsougranis 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Toby Couchman 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Hame Sele 18. Blake Lawrie

Players cut from final squad: 4. Corey Allan 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Michael Molos 22. Sione Finau

Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein

Gold Coast Titans 28 defeated Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 8 (CBUS Super Stadium, 13/6/2025, 20:00)

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 20. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Josh Patston 17. Tukimihia Simpkins 18. Arama Hau

Players cut from final squad: 9. Sean Mullany 21. Ben Liyou 22. Ryan Foran 19. Tom Weaver

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Clayton Faulalo

Players cut from final squad: 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Matthew Lodge 14. Jake Simpkin

Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Chris Butler

Newcastle Knights 8 defeated Sydney Roosters 12 (McDonald Jones Stadium, 14/6/2025, 17:30)

Knights: 4. Fletcher Hunt 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 18. Kyle McCarthy 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Mathew Croker 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Brock Greacen 20. Mason Teague

Players cut from final squad: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 14. Matthew Arthur 22. Wilson De Courcey 19. Tyrone Thompson

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Mark Nawaqanitawase 5. Dominic Young 14. Sandon Smith 6. Hugo Savala 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Salesi Foketi 11. Egan Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 15. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Taylor Losalu 18. Ethan King

Players cut from final squad: 7. Sam Walker 23. Delasalle Vaa 17. Nat Butcher 21. Tom Rodwell

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Adam Gee

North Queensland Cowboys 4 lost to Dolphins 58 (QLD Country Bank Stadium, 14/6/2025, 19:35)

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Braidon Burns 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Karl Lawton 10. Coen Hess 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Kai O’Donnell 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kaiden Lahrs 18. Thomas Duffy 21. Marly Bitungane

Players cut from final squad: 19. Semi Valemei 20. Jaxson Paulo 22. Mason Kira 13. Jason Taumalolo

Dolphins: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O’Sullivan

Players cut from final squad: 20. Harrison Graham 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Junior Tupou 19. Aublix Tawha

Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Chris Butler

South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 lost to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 (Accor Stadium, 15/6/2025, 16:05)

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Davvy Moale 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Ryan Gray 15. Sean Keppie

Players cut from final squad: 19. Campbell Graham 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host 20. Lewis Dodd

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Harry Hayes 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Blake Taaffe 16. Lipoi Hopoi

Players cut from final squad: 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua 20. Enari Tuala

Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Grant Atkins

BYES: Brisbane Broncos, Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, Wests Tigers

Match Review

Braydon Trindall (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Thomas Cant (Newcastle Knights), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Grade 3 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Josh Curran (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $3000 fine.
Jake Turpin (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.