Late try helps Maroons save face in Game 3 of women’s Origin series

Chelsea Lenarduzzi celebrates after scoring the crucial try for the Queensalnd Maroons against the NSW Blues. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Queensland salvaged pride in the Women’s State of Origin series by claiming the third contest 18-14 thanks to a second-half comeback in Newcastle that prevented the Blues from securing a first clean sweep in the three-match series.

Powerful Maroons prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi crashed over from an Ali Brigginshaw pass with four minutes to go, taking three Blues defenders with her, to put Queensland into the lead and spoil the Blues’ party. “Ali actually gave me a bit of a look, and I knew what she meant,” Lenarduzzi said. “It’s one of my favourite plays, and worked at the right time.”