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Sport Nation
Meninga: Lack of aggression costs Maroons dearly in poor Origin showing
Charles Goodsir • May 29th, 2025 2:52 pm
Former Queensland coach Mal Meninga has accused the current Maroons squad of a soft mentality following their 18-6 loss in the Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Poor goal kicking and a scrappy second half from NSW kept Queensland in the contest but the consensus following Game I was that the Maroons were soundly beaten in most facets of the game.
Meninga told SEN that the Queensland players lacked a level of ferociousness that is needed for the Origin arena.
“The scoreline was flattering (for Queensland),” Meninga said on SEN 1170.
“NSW dominated and there were players on their side that were prepared to cop it on the chin.
“The Queensland team needs to find some answers. It’s not because of personnel, it’s the way they play.
“The way NSW planned defensively and controlled territory (laid the platform) and they didn’t allow Queensland out of their end easily.
“Ill-discipline also cost Queensland (but) their desire and defensive quality was good. They worked hard for each other but they had to.
“NSW came to Suncorp with a really good plan and executed well. They didn’t have a bad player.
“Queensland couldn’t turn their defensive quality into any attacking prowess. They must come up with a better plan when NSW turn the game into a grind.”
Veteran halfback and Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans had a poor night compared to his lofty Origin standards and calls have already begun for Tom Dearden to succeed 'DCE' as halfback.
Meninga resisted the calls to drop Cherry-Evans and said it was the whole team who failed to provide Queenslander’s playmakers a platform.
“They’ll be talking about,” Meninga said.
“It wasn’t lack of effort that cost Queensland last night.
“The key guys like Harry Grant and Cameorn Munster didn’t have one of their better games.
“Queenalnd only had two forwards run for over 100 metres. They were ineffective and didn’t allow Cherry-Evans and Munster to get on the front foot.
“NSW did that and they did that really well.”
Game II heads to Optus Stadium in Perth on June 18.
