The tightest race in Cowboy of Origin history is heading for a showdown in Sydney
Queensland's heart-stopping win in the NRL State of Origin II has set up a blockbuster decider in Sydney — and it's not just footy fans feeling the heat. The pressure is also bucking high in the bull-riding world, with the 2025 PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series heading to Sydney on July 5 for an Origin finale that's shaping up as one for the ages.
Just like their footy counterparts, the PBR Origin teams are locked in a fierce, state-against-state battle that now stands at one-all. NSW made history in Brisbane, clinching their first ever win on Queensland soil in PBR Origin II, while Queensland claimed the opener in Newcastle with signature Maroon might.
And if that's not enough to light a fire under the Sydney showdown, get this — the Cowboy of Origin leaderboard has never been this close. With just three points separating the top four bull riders, it's an all-out ride to the finish.
Queensland bullrider Kurt Shephard from Mareeba leads the competition on 170 points, just one point ahead of Blues rider Mattheus Lima Rodrigues on 196, who is just one point ahead of tied third place sitters Queensland's Thomas Triplett and Blues' Luan Crystian Camara.
"We have the tightest leaderboard for Cowboy of Origin in PBR Origin history, and with only three points separating the top four riders — it's anyone's buckle. So, every ride, every second, and every point will count as the country's best cowboys throw down in the dirt for glory, bragging rights, and state pride in Sydney on July 5," said Glen Young, PBR Australia Managing Director.
"This is the PBR Monster Energy Origin Series — where the toughest riders from Queensland and New South Wales go head-to-head in a brutal test of courage, grit, and raw power," "It's eight seconds of chaos that means everything. Anything can happen — and usually does."
TEAMS will be announced on MONDAY!
THE DECIDER: PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour - ORIGIN III - Sydney
Jul 5 at 7:00 PM at ICC Sydney Theatre GET TICKETS
Origin History
Queensland has had a stranglehold on the PBR Origin trophy since the competition's inception, winning all five series and allowing New South Wales to pick up just two event wins from the twelve matches. The Maroons took victory over the Blues in Sydney at the inaugural PBR Origin in 2019 and backed that up with a 2-0 win in the 2021 series. The 2022 and 2023 series went the way of Queensland 2-1, and in 2024, they scored a clean sweep of the matches to win 3-0. In 2021, Lachlan Slade picked up the inaugural Cowboy of Origin award for New South Wales after he went 3-from-4 across the long rounds. Queensland young-gun Qynn Andersen led all cowboys in 2022 with an incredible 5-from-6 performance across the series, and in 2023, Maroon's skipper Aaron Kleier rode 4-from-6 to claim the top rider award. Last season, Queenslander Ben Bode took home the $30,000 bonus following his 3-from-6 effort across the series.
ABOUT PBR AUSTRALIA ORIGIN SERIES
The PBR Australia Origin Series is an electrifying state-versus-state bull riding competition, where top riders from New South Wales and Queensland face off in a thrilling trio of events. Modelled after the State of Origin rugby series, the Origin Series has quickly become one of the most anticipated highlights of the Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) tour since its debut in 2019. As a central feature of the PBRA's annual schedule, which includes over 20 events nationwide, the PBR Origin Series plays a vital role in elevating bull riding in Australia. It also serves as an important pathway for emerging riders to progress to the international stage, further solidifying the series as a key part of PBRA's commitment to growing the sport.
