The Mole: Six players with targets on their back in State of Origin opener

State of Origin can often bring the best out of players - but each year, there are plenty who struggle with the game's toughest arena.

With the series kicking off on Wednesday night, a few key men will be coming into it under pressure for a variety of reasons.

Whether it be poor form in club land or inexperience at rep level, there are some who will have a target on their back at the cauldron known as Suncorp Stadium.

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The Mole gives his thoughts on the six players under pressure in game one.

Kalyn Ponga

Has been struggling in a dour Knights team this season and has the most handling errors in the NRL with 23 - a statistic the Blues are certain to be aware of.

He'll be tested by Blues kickers Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses with a mixture of grubbers and bombs.

Spencer Leniu

The enforcer has a short fuse and the Maroons are certain to test out his anger levels when he comes off the bench.

The fired-up Queensland crowd will also play its part in pushing Leniu and Laurie Daley knows the hard-hitting Rooster can be a high-risk player.

Robert Toia

No one doubts this kid's ability, but with only 10 NRL games to his name, he's a risk.

Even the best debutants can get a deer in the headlights look at the turbo-charged pace of Origin, let alone a 20-year-old who was an unknown a couple of months ago.

Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Angus Crichton

Referees don't like the in-form back rower in 2025 - he has conceded more penalties than any player in the NRL.

With that in mind, the Maroons are certain to niggle him and see if they can get a couple of crucial penalties in the heat of battle.

Reuben Cotter

A beloved member of the Maroons squad but like the Cowboys, his form has been up and down this season.

Cotter has been down on his energiser-bunny best in 2025 - he's broken just eight tackles this season after breaking over 100 in the past three seasons.

Liam Martin

Like several of his Panthers teammates, hasn't started 2025 with the same intensity as recent seasons, particularly in defence.

Martin has missed a worrying 41 tackles - the fifth most in the league - and he'll be tested out wide by the Maroons speed men.