Match report
Here is Jack Snape’s match report:
Summary
What an exciting game to start the series – NSW will be very relieved to get the win with the next two games being played in Queensland and will feel confident that they can snatch a win up there.
The Maroons will take a lot of heart from that performance though. They lost two players to HIAs, both important players to their side, and they still were in the match right until the final whistle. They will have a lot of belief that they can win the final two matches with home crowds behind them.
Thank you so much for joining us tonight – I hope you enjoyed this game as much as I did! Champagne rugby league out there in Newcastle tonight. The next game will be in two week’s time, as part of Magic Round in Brisbane, so make sure you join us for that one!
Player of the Match: Yasmin Meakes
Meakes is in a bit of disbelief about being named the player of the match.
“I’m shocked! I can’t believe I got this! Absolutely love Origin footy and that’s what I’m here for. Anyone on our team would have put their body on the line for the team, so I just did what I had to do. I’m so happy to win here in Newcastle.”
Millie Elliott’s husband has brought her seven month old baby Gigi out on to the field for her interview and she is very cute. And what an absolute weapon Elliott is to play at this level just seven months after giving birth.
All the players interviewed have said that it was the fastest game they have ever played in, which says a lot about the intensity of this first match of the series.
Tamika Upton is disappointed, but determined as she talks to Marlee Silva.
“So proud of the girls that came on and did their job after those HIAs – that’s what Queensland is about. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
Brad Fittler is talking to Southwell now.
“Our leaders were so calm at half time and we knew we just had to keep doing what we were doing. Glad we could get it done for Newcastle today.”
Full time: NSW beat Queensland 11-6
Southwell misses the final conversion, but the Blues have their first win at McDonald Jones Stadium and have gone one up in the series. A great reward for the loyal crowd of over 20,000 who came out tonight to support them. There are more hugs than handshakes between opposing players at the end of the game – it was played in great spirit and was such a fascinating and intense match.
Updated
TRY! QLD 6-11 NSW (Sergis 70')
NSW were assured of the win with the ball safely down their end with seconds to play, but they’re determined to score again and Penitani Gray puts a risky pass in. Sergis fortunately snatches it and runs in to score.
69 mins: Ferguson dives for the line and is millimetres short and then the Maroons lose the ball and NSW are legging it out of their own half and are desperate to score again to remove all doubt. They force a line drop out, which is a pretty good consolation. Brown’s kick doesn’t make the 10m and NSW get the ball again.
67 mins: The crowd seems to be losing their minds a little too much, but apparently that’s because the score is 6-7 – who knew that meme was still a going concern? Queensland are making their way down field and the referee rules an incorrect play the ball, but a captain’s challenge reveals ruck interference and they get a penalty instead. This is their opportunity – what will they do with it?
FIELD GOAL! QLD 6-7 NSW (Southwell 62')
NSW get into a strong position and Southwell finds the space for a deft little field goal. The crowd behind the goal go up in unison.
Updated
63 mins: Brill goes into Steve Price mode and charges down a Southwell field goal attempt and gets Queensland into good field position after chasing it down. Brown puts up a field goal attempt at the other end of the field, but it’s wide of the mark.
61 mins: Into the last 10 minutes now and we’re still all locked up at 6-6. Another solid set from Queensland finishes with a good kick, but Berry looks unfazed on debut as she fields it.
59 mins: Queensland are in NSW territory for the first time in a long time and look like they’re going to score, but Church and Meakes combine for a sensational try saving tackle, which forces the ball loose and gets them the scrum feed. The crowd has been announced – 20,179 people there tonight, which is fantastic to see. In less happy news, Joseph is on the ground for Queensland after her head hit Penitani Gray’s hip in a tackle. It looks very bad indeed on replay and the stretcher has come out to take her off. Queensland can now bring Destiny Brill, their 18th player, onto the field if they wish. And it seems they do wish – she has come on now and makes a tackle straightaway.
57 mins: Queensland start their set well, but are let down with a loose carry to Ferguson, but NSW can’t make them pay, with Kelly losing the ball soon after.
55 mins: Queensland finish their set with a truly bizarre three kicks – the first two bouncing off NSW players who didn’t play at it and the third going into touch. Some nice ball work from NSW keeps things moving and a great kick creates an opportunity, but Upton shepherds it into touch.
53 mins: The game has entered another fairly settled period, with the ball staying mostly in the middle of the field, just when both teams are desperate to get it over the tryline.
51 mins: Berry’s first touch for the Blues is a good one, but her offload goes to ground and Queensland get the scrum feed. Penitani Gray puts in a huge tackle on Upton – they are really targeting her tonight, and with good reason.
49 mins: Apps starts the set for the Blues with a blistering hit up that nearly breaks completely through. Johnston is in the action as well after scoring, with a strong run. Kelleher puts up another great bomb, but Upton has no problems with it. Manzellman drops the ball, but loses it backwards and Queensland are able to play on for a solid set.
GOAL! QLD 6-6 NSW (Southwell 46’)
A straightforward conversion from Southwell and the scores are all locked up.
TRY! QLD 6-4 NSW (Johnston 45')
After building so much pressure, the Blues finally manage to find the line. An offload early in the set creates some space and Johnston uses her momentum to drive over the line to score close to the post.
Updated
45 mins: Once again NSW manage to work the ball right down to the line, but Queensland’s try line defence has been sensational, they are a brick wall tonight. NSW are clearly hurting from being unable to get over the line and Kelleher absolutely smashes the Maroons in defence and forces a knock on, which turns into a penalty when the offside player picks up the ball. Then another penalty for NSW – they are desperate to score.
43 mins: Queensland start on the 20m line after Southwell’s grubber goes dead in goal and they start the set strongly, but Manzelmann loses the ball in the tackle on the halfway line and NSW get another opportunity in attack.
41 mins: An error from Queensland gives NSW the scrum feed near the halfway line and then the Maroons concede a penalty and NSW are making some ground. They come very close to scoring on both edges, but can’t get over the line.
39 mins: More of a tentative set from NSW, but it’s finished with a good bomb from Southwell. Upton fields it very well under pressure and Queensland come into the set with momentum and then pick up a penalty. Joseph has left the field for the Maroons, so we’ll keep an eye on that.
37 mins: A strong set from NSW to start the half, making a 40m gain and putting pressure on Robinson on the kick return. They’re tackling strongly as well in defence and keep Queensland in their own half.
The Maroons have kicked off and the second half is underway!
Both teams are looking pretty calm and composed in the sheds. According to the half-time analysis, Olivia Kernick is the key for the Blues in the second half, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on her to see what she can spark.
Half-time: QLD 6-0 NSW
A fascinating and intense first half, despite the low score! NSW will be rueing that early error that gifted the Maroons a try in the second minute of the match. The teams have been evenly matched aside from that – both conceded errors early, then settled into the match, completing their sets and kicking very well to play exciting, end-to-end rugby league.
The second half is sure to be an incredible battle, so stay with us!
Updated
34 mins: NSW are looking to build something late in the half, but Fressard loses focus and drops the ball and now Queensland have the opportunity to increase their lead going into half time.
32 mins: NSW are in great position, but Apps drops the ball running through a gap and they lose the opportunity. A solid set from Queensland is met with strong Blues defence. The Maroons nearly create an opportunity picking up their own kick in space, but they knock it on.
30 mins: Kiria-Ratu puts up a massive kick, but the bounce is favourable for NSW and it goes into touch in goal, so NSW get to start their set from the 20m line and then NSW get a penalty 35m out from Queensland’s line.
28 mins: OK, well I kind of jinxed things there – NSW let the ball bounce, Church loses control in the tackle, but it goes backwards, Chapman picks it up and sprints down the sideline and makes huge ground. NSW get close to the tryline in the set, but can’t cross it.
26 mins: Things are looking a little bit cautious out there at moment, no big attacking plays being put out, both teams are focusing on completing their sets, tackling hard and putting up big kicks to try to force an error.
24 mins: Some strong sets during the middle part of this half, neither team is willing to give an inch. The errors have settled down a little now and both teams have been kicking extremely well.
22 mins: A good kick from Queensland as well – Chapman gathers and makes 10m running about 40m sideways. Kelleher puts up another very good kick and Upton drops it, but it’s ruled a knock back and the Novacastrian crowd is not happy.
20 mins: A lovely kick from Southwell on the fifth splits Upton and Hippi, but Hippi manages to gather it in the in goal and get back into the field of play.
18 mins: Some quick ball work from Queensland keeps them moving up the field and then NSW concede a penalty and the Maroons are back in a strong attacking position. They look like they may find a gap, but another error gives NSW some breathing room and a scrum feed.
16 mins: Kelleher finishes the Blues’ set with a sensational kick, which Upton is forced to play at – it slips through her fingertips and goes into touch, giving NSW the ball back through a line drop out. NSW have space out wide, but they mess up the pass out to Chapman and then Cherrington drops the ball.
14 mins: Southwell finishes the set with a much better kick than the Blues’ last effort, but Hippi takes it well and passes off to Upton who puts on a strong run up the sideline, finally brought down by Church. An error to Pule late in the set gives the ball back to NSW.
12 mins: A disappointing kick for the Blues on the last tackle hands the ball straight to the Maroons and they’re back in defence. Queensland plays a solid set and finishes with a decent kick, but Fressard attacks it well and sprints downfield to get her team in good position to start the set.
10 mins: A change in decision due to bunker interference and Queensland get a 20m tap instead, much to the disappointment of the Blues. Joseph makes a strong hit up to gain some ground for the Maroons, but Elliott for the Blues is caught in the crossfire and has to be assessed for a head injury, but is cleared to continue. There’s a penalty to NSW following the kick, as Teitzel gets in the way of the Blues collecting the kick.
8 mins: The crowd is getting into it now and the Blues get another penalty in the set to put them in an attacking position. Bad news for the Maroons, Weale has been ruled out of the match with a grade 1 HIA. Southwell puts up a nice kick and the Maroons will be forced into a line drop out.
6 mins: More possession for the Maroons and they’re playing with confidence, as NSW defend their hardest as they try to not let this score blow out early. They hold on to the kick at the end of the set this time and get a little stuck on their line, but they get a penalty and some much-needed field position.
GOAL! QLD 6-0 NSW (Brown 3’)
An easy conversion for Brown and she knocks it over the black dot.
TRY! QLD 4-0 NSW (Pule 2')
The Blues have to defend their line desperately, but they can’t keep the Maroons out for long and Pule crashes over to score on debut.
Updated
2 mins: Strong early tackles from the Blues, who have come out hard. Not even 30 seconds in and referee Belinda Sharpe halts things with a head injury concern for Makenzie Weale and she has to leave the ground for an assessment. Otesa Pule comes on in her place. Despite that, it’s a solid first set for the Maroons and then nerves get the better of Church and she drops the ball from the kick and the Maroons get a scrum feed 10m out.
Updated
The Blues have kicked off and we’re off and running in women’s State of Origin 2026!
Teams are on the field now and the Welcome to Country and the anthem ceremony are underway.
We’re getting close to kick off now and the nerves are high in the changerooms. Not only are the Blues hoping to get their first win at McDonald Jones Stadium, but they are aware that the next two games are in Queensland, so it’s even more important to get off to a good start in the series tonight.
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into Queensland’s revamped team, Jack Snape has got you covered. You’ve got time before kick off to read this interesting piece.
The Blues don’t have many surprises, lining up as named 1-17. They have 14 players from last year’s series win returning, and also feature Teagan ‘Flash’ Berry on debut coming off the bench, as well as Millie Elliott making her much-anticipated return after having a baby last year. They will be hoping for a strong performance with an experienced team on the park.
Queensland have a few more changes, due to the injuries and retirements we spoke about earlier. They have also brought Ivana Lolesio into the starting side from the interchange bench. Most interesting is their selection of Otesa Pule, the New Zealand international, after Origin eligibility rules changed and allowed her to participate. Although some may argue that Origin eligibility rules have always been murky at best…
Team list: Queensland
1. Tamika Upton
2. Julia Robinson
3. Rory Owen
18. Ivana Lolesio
5. Phoenix-Raine Hippi
6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu
7. Lauren Brown
8. Makenzie Weale
9. Jada Ferguson
10. Jessika Elliston
11. Sienna Lofipo
12. Romy Teitzel
13. Keilee Joseph
Interchange
4. Shenae Ciesiolka
14. Emma Manzelmann
15. Otesa Pule
16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Updated
Team list: NSW
1. Abbi Church
2. Jaime Chapman
3. Jessica Sergis
4. Isabelle Kelly (c)
5. Jayme Fressard
6. Jocelyn Kelleher
7. Jesse Southwell
8. Millie Elliott
9. Keeley Nizza
10. Ellie Johnston
11. Tiana Penitani Gray
12. Yasmin Meakes
13. Olivia Kernick
Interchange
14. Olivia Higgins
15. Kennedy Cherrington
16. Kezie Apps
17. Teagan Berry
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the very first State of Origin game for 2026! And it’s a massive one to kick us off, in the spiritual home of rugby league – Newcastle. And no, I will not be entering into debate on that.
Unfortunately for the Blues, despite usually having a loud home crowd behind them, it has not been a happy hunting ground, but they will be aiming to reverse that trend tonight. After securing the shield in a 2-1 series win in 2025, the Blues will be desperate to hold on to it and a strong win in the Hunter will put them on track.
They certainly look the stronger of the two teams on paper, with the Maroons losing key players from last year’s series – including Ali Brigginshaw (retired) and Tarryn Aiken (ACL). However, as we all know, you never, ever write off a Queensland team in Origin, even if they have only been able to assemble the South Logan Magpies under-10s, they will find a way to win.
Kick off will be at 7.45pm AEST and there’s plenty to discuss before then, so let’s get into it!
