Josh Morris has 'genuine fears for Origin' as blowout scorelines become the NRL norm

Josh Morris admits he has "genuine fears" for the State of Origin series, as blowout scorelines become a weekly occurrence in the NRL.

This past weekend saw Cronulla become the latest team to rack up 50 points in a game in their massive win over the Wests Tigers, while the clash between the Knights and Rabbitohs was a 42-38 shootout with defence falling by the wayside.

With the speed of the game and momentum shifts due to six-agains becoming more prevalent, the amount of points being scored has skyrocketed.

READ MORE: Team tips: Dragons in spotlight as five players face scrutiny

READ MORE: How Bronco's 'bad cork' turned into limb saving surgery

READ MORE: Ex-Origin star forced to retire after 12-month absence

While there are some who believe the entertainment factor will help the game, Morris - who played 14 games for NSW - believes it could hinder the game's marquee event.

"I have genuine fears for Origin," he said on The Continuous Call Team's Offload podcast.

"I do not want this to turn into a scorefest and be like the majority of NRL games, because that is not what Origin is about.

"It is the toughest arena and I would like to see the teams build pressure, stay down there for a period of time and come up with a try ... that's what Origin is, it's a grind.

"It shouldn't be this free-flowing, fast, almost touch football game where we're going to see blowout points

"As a purist and a lover of the game, I do not want to see Origin lose its mantle."

Last year's series was more low-scoring than the majority of NRL games this season.

The first game was 18-6 in favour of the Blues, before the Maroons won the next two matches 26-24 and 24-12 to clinch the series.

The concerns from Morris echo a large contingent of those within rugby league, with question marks over the desire from NRL teams to defend and get into a grind, with the onus placed largely on attack and outscoring opponents.

Queensland coach Billy Slater, however, is adamant clubs are still focusing on the defensive side of the game, despite some of the scorefests on offer.

"I still think there will be a defence-orientated mindset around most teams," he said on Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast on Monday.

"If you're focusing on the pretty stuff, you're looking for the easy option.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

"I think the mindset will still be there around that defensive mindset and it needs to be, because teams will put 50 on you so quickly now.

"There's so much space and it's so quick and if you don't have a defensive mindset, you're gonna rattle up a score against you. It has to be a big picture and you need to have a whole of game mindset when you go in there.

"Coaches will definitely be leaning on the defensive side."

Slater will lead the Maroons into the 2026 series, which begins on May 27.