For decades, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane has been regarded as a daunting venue for New South Wales in State of Origin rugby league contests. However, recent results and historical performances suggest that the notion of Lang Park as a “graveyard” for the Blues is more myth than reality.
New South Wales has recorded eight notable victories at Suncorp Stadium, challenging the stereotype that the home ground of the Queensland Maroons is unfriendly territory. The Blues have now won the past two Origin matches in Brisbane, including the 2023 contest by 18-6 and the 2024 series-deciding game 14-4. These back-to-back wins have pushed NSW’s overall success rate at Lang Park close to 40 percent—a competitive figure given the previously impenetrable reputation of the venue.
Among the landmark NSW wins are several that defied widespread expectations. In 1986’s game three, the Blues overcame an early 12-0 deficit to claim an 18-16 victory and secure the series sweep amid a controversial penalty goal late in the match. The 1994 decider saw NSW earn a third consecutive series win with a 27-12 triumph, highlighted by Ben Elias’ man-of-the-match performance and Queensland’s rare errors following the retirement of Mal Meninga.
The Blue side of 1998 turned a shaky start into a dominant 26-10 win in game two, thanks to strong leadership by Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley. In the 2005 decider, NSW surged to a commanding 32-0 lead before completing a 32-10 victory, with Johns and Anthony Minichiello standing out. Four years later, the 2014 game one clash was marked by resilience, as players like Brett Morris and John Morris bravely fought through injuries to secure a 12-8 win.
More recent wins include the 2017 game one rout of Queensland by 28-4, powered by James Tedesco and Andrew Fifita, and the commanding 26-0 shutout in game two of 2021, the only time Queensland has been held scoreless at home, with Latrell Mitchell excelling. The most recent match in the 2024 decider saw NSW clinch the series with a 14-4 victory, containing Queensland to no tries. The game featured intense moments, including a sideline brawl resulting in Cameron Murray being sin-binned while off the field, and standout performances from Bradman Best and Mitch Moses.
These performances collectively illustrate that New South Wales teams have repeatedly overcome the supposed psychological barrier of playing at Suncorp Stadium. As the upcoming series approaches, the current Blues squad has the opportunity to reinforce this trend and dispel lingering myths about the challenges of winning in Brisbane.