A more clinical Queensland team won the opening match of the two-game Origin series 18-10 in an error-riddled game at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium. A two-try haul from Julia Robinson, a dominant showing from Keilee Joseph and some sublime touches from Tamika Upton guided the Maroons to an upset victory in front of over 12,000 fans.
Both teams struggled to hold the ball but it was the Maroons who held their nerve and made the most of their opportunities to claim a famous win in the first multi-game series for the women.
It was a disappointing evening for the Sky Blues with 18-year-old debutant Jesse Southwell struggling along with halves partner Rachael Pearson while skipper Isabelle Kelly found herself in hospital after sustaining a concerning throat injury.
Drama swept the NSW camp on the morning of the game with Tiana Penitani ruled out with a hamstring injury. Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder opted to start Taliah Fuimaono in the centres with veteran Jessica Sergis pushing out to the wing. Hilder pulled a further surprise an hour before kickoff when skipper Kezie Apps reverted to the bench.
Queensland found themselves on the back foot within the first minute when burning their challenge on a Shannon Mato error they believed was a strip. It was a difficult start to an unhappy night for Mato, who gave away a penalty in the subsequent set. The Sky Blues failed to take advantage of the early field position and possession though when Southwell spilled the ball and alleviated the pressure.
Two penalties and a knock-down six-again saw Queensland soon applying pressure and unlike the Sky Blues, they were able to take advantage through Robinson, who crashed over after a great short-side cut out ball from the energetic Maroons custodian Upton.
The Maroons were immediately back on the attack after a sharp Destiny Brill run resulted in a high tackle penalty being blown, allowing the Maroons to hold the ball for 10 straight minutes before a Brill error took the air out.
Two penalties helped New South Wales move into the Queensland redzone and it was a moment of individual brilliance from Sergis that put the Sky Blues on the board, steaming onto an inside ball from Pearson, her explosive run leaving Maroons defenders scattering like dominos in her wake.
New South Wales rolled up the field soon after but were quickly stunned by a Queensland counter that saw Robinson break free and fire a pass back into Shenae Ciesiolka, who failed to find a flying Upton looming on her inside.
A heavy knock to the throat of Kelly left New South Wales short with play continuing as she received treatment in backplay. Kelly was forced from the field but not before Maroons second rower Tazmin Gray carried four over the tryline to score a blockbusting try. Robinson was put on report for raising an elbow but Queensland took a 10-6 lead into the break.
Kelly was taken to hospital at the break, a huge blow for the Sky Blues who were down two of their four selected three-quarters.
It was a Southwell intercept with the Blues pressing though that led to the first score of the second stanza. Ciesiolka plucked it from the air and sprinted clear before a valiant chase from Jaime Chapman dragged her down. The Maroons did not panic though and shifted the ball across the paddock with winger Emily Bass crashing over in the corner unmarked.
Queensland received an injury blow themselves when Keilee Joseph was forced off for a head injury assessment. It didn’t stop the Maroons march though with Robinson crossing for her second in the 46th minute after Ciesiolka stood up makeshift centre Yasmin Clydesdale before sending Robinson clear.
Sergis was unquestionably the Sky Blues’ most dangerous attacking weapon and she very nearly got a double when she burst clear and then chipped over Upton before a collision nullified the threat. The points came soon after though off a midfield scrum with debutant Southwell spinning the ball wide, Emma Tonegato creating the extra player and Chapman crashing over to put New South Wales within eight.
The Sky Blues continued to heap the pressure on with a Southwell grubber nearly resulting in a Tonegato try and Sergis spilled a difficult short-ball opportunity. Clunky play from the halves and poor handling proved costly though with the Blues unable to breach the Maroons again.
