First two-game women’s State of Origin has more on the line than ever

Emma Tonegato and Rachael Pearson will feature for the NSW Blues in this women’s State of Origin, alongside Queensland Maroons’ Tarryn Aiken and Tamika Upton. Composite: AAP

Thursday night kicks off a big year for women’s rugby league. For the first time, women’s State of Origin becomes more than a standalone game, before an expanded NRLW featuring 10 teams takes flight next month.

While the upgrade from one Origin game to two is an improvement on previous years, it has left plenty of players and onlookers unsatisfied. New South Wales prop Millie Boyle has been particularly outspoken about the decision, saying a two-game series “seems ridiculous” and “doesn’t really feel fair”.