In a pivotal match of the women’s State of Origin series, New South Wales (NSW) clinched a significant victory over Queensland (the Maroons) at Suncorp Stadium, winning 32-12. The Blues showcased their prowess, with stellar performances from players like Jesse Southwell, who excelled with her playmaking skills, and Kennedy Cherrington, who made a notable impact off the bench.
Conversely, the Maroons struggled throughout most of the game, failing to find their rhythm and now face a daunting task to level the series. The performance of the players was critically assessed, with key highlights and ratings provided for both teams.
Queensland Highlights:
- Tamika Upton: Had a disappointing outing, performing well below expectations. Rating: 5.
- Julia Robinson: Showed some promise despite the team’s overall struggles, providing a try assist. Rating: 7.
- Tarryn Aiken: Stood out as the Maroons’ most effective player, instrumental in setting up both tries. Rating: 7.
- Ali Brigginshaw: A veteran whose impact was minimal, raising questions about her future involvement. Rating: 3.
The Maroons’ forward pack was dominated by the Blues, with players like Sienna Lofipo and Romy Teitzel showing some fight, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
NSW Highlights:
- Abbi Church: Outperformed her opposite number, scoring a try and leading the Blues in yardage. Rating: 7.
- Isabelle Kelly: Delivered a stellar performance with a try and two assists, creating significant problems for the Maroons. Rating: 8.
- Jesse Southwell: The standout performer, dictating the pace of the game and excelling with her intelligent kicking and attack. Rating: 9.
- Ellie Johnston: Celebrated a fantastic debut, scoring a powerful try and causing ongoing issues for the Maroons. Rating: 8.
Other significant contributions came from players like Kezie Apps and Yasmin Clydsdale, both of whom made their presence felt offensively and defensively.
As the series progresses, the Maroons will be under pressure to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in the upcoming match, while NSW looks poised to maintain their momentum with a string of high-quality performances from their key players. The atmosphere and intensity of the match only added to the rivalry, setting the stage for an intriguing second game in the series.