When the tide turns for NSW it seems to happen in torrential rain. Forty years ago, when the Blues men’s side finally beat the Maroons to clinch a first State of Origin shield, the image enshrined in history was NSW captain Steve Mortimer sinking to his knees in the SCG mud and bellowing sweet victory to the heavens.
Now, in another downpour, the Blues women’s side have made their own history in the slop of a Sydney stadium. Having endured the catastrophe of letting a 1-0 series lead slip last year, NSW made no so much mistake this time, ruthlessly putting Queensland to the sword to win Game 2 by 26-6 and claim a first Women’s Origin series decided across multiple matches.