Blues v Maroons: Women's Origin preview
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NSW and Queensland meet for the second time in women's Holden State of Origin history ready to replicate the high quality that lit up North Sydney Oval just under 12 months ago.
Same night, same venue, same time, same way.
But what about the same result? Queensland are sure to have something to say about that.
While last year's clash was dubbed history-making and a reason to celebrate the women's game with an inaugural stand-alone fixture under the Origin banner, one side walked away from North Sydney Oval feeling bittersweet about the occasion.
The Blues got the 16-10 victory to take home the shield in front of 6824 people with a late try to Golden Boot recipient Isabelle Kelly.
This year's clash will see 15 players make their official State of Origin debuts across both states.
NSW have only eight players returning from their victorious side last year, while Queensland will field six fresh faces.
Match: Sky Blues v Maroons
Round 1 -
home Team
Sky Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: North Sydney Oval, Sydney
NSW welcome new coach Andrew Patmore to the fold and he has brought a fresh approach, overlooking veteran forwards Elianna Walton and Bec Young for the clash. Kylie Hilder, 43, is the exception after being picked at hooker.
The Blues have opted for an inexperienced side that hasn't been helped with the losses of Sam Bremner, Taleena Simon and Nakia Davis-Welsh to pregnancies.
For Queensland, most of their core players remain from last year's clash with Ali Brigginshaw set to partner new but experienced playmaker Jenni-Sue Hoepper in the halves.
The clash could be the final for Maroons stalwarts Stephanie Hancock and Heather Ballinger before they hang up the boots, although it's understood only a successful result will make their future decisions a lot easier.
Coached by Jason Hetherington, the Maroons won't be short of passion and purpose but will it be enough to take the shield back to the sunshine state?
Match: Sky Blues v Maroons
Round 1 -
home Team
Sky Blues
away Team
Maroons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sky Blues is number 1 Corban BaxterFullback for Maroons is number 1 Chelsea Baker
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Winger for Sky Blues is number 2 Jessica SergisWinger for Maroons is number 2 Karina Brown
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Centre for Sky Blues is number 3 Tiana PenitaniCentre for Maroons is number 3 Stephanie Mooka
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Centre for Sky Blues is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Maroons is number 4 Amber Pilley
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Winger for Sky Blues is number 5 Shakiah TungaiWinger for Maroons is number 5 Meg Ward
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Five-Eighth for Sky Blues is number 6 Kirra DibbFive-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Ali Brigginshaw
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Halfback for Sky Blues is number 7 Maddie StuddonHalfback for Maroons is number 7 Jenni-Sue Hoepper
Forwards
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Prop for Sky Blues is number 8 Simaima TaufaProp for Maroons is number 8 Heather Ballinger
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Hooker for Sky Blues is number 9 Kylie HilderHooker for Maroons is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
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Prop for Sky Blues is number 17 Millie BoyleProp for Maroons is number 15 Tallisha Harden
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2nd Row for Sky Blues is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Tazmin Gray
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2nd Row for Sky Blues is number 12 Shontelle Stowers2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Annette Brander
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Lock for Sky Blues is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Maroons is number 13 Rona Peters
Interchange
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 10 Vanessa FoliakiInterchange for Maroons is number 10 Stephanie Hancock
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 14 Botille Vette-WelshInterchange for Maroons is number 14 Amy Turner
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 15 Holli WheelerInterchange for Maroons is number 16 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 16 Takilele KatoaInterchange for Maroons is number 17 Jessika Elliston
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Tim Roby
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
The Rundown
Team news
NSW: The Blues have made a late switch, bringing Millie Boyle into the starting front row and putting Vanessa Foliaki back to the bench. The Blues have seven debutantes for their title defence while 43-year-old Kylie Hilder returns to the interstate fold after a decade away. Strike centre Isabelle Kelly has overcome a knee injury that kept her out of the National Championships.
Queensland: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Tallisha Harden coming into the starting side and Steph Hancock moving to the bench. The Maroons have four debutantes and two returning players in Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Jenni-Sue Hoepper in the 2019 side. Annette Brander will start in the back row. Stephanie Mooka will start at right centre alongside Meg Ward.
Key match-up
Isabelle Kelly v Stephanie Mooka
Rookie centre Stephanie Mooka will be handed the task of marking strike centre Isabelle Kelly and it shapes as a match-up worth watching alone. Last year's Nellie Doherty Medallist for best player on the field, Kelly looms as the danger for Queensland given her two-try heroics last season. Kelly also churned out 126 metres and played a hand in the Blues' other try to make her mark as the best rugby league player in the world last year. Mooka is a tall and rangy AFL convert who possesses speed and size. If she can contain Kelly it will go a long way to a Maroons victory.
For the Blues to win
They'll need to weather the Queensland storm early, a task they managed to do in last year's clash before scoring the opening try. The Maroons will have their tails up early on and try to utilise the size of starting front-rowers Heather Ballinger and Tallisha Harden. NSW dominated the metres gain column for props last season with the help of Simaima Taufa, who made 182 metres alone. Compare that with Queensland's overall total of 120 and that's where the Blues have an edge. NSW's other major strength is around their fitness and on-field combinations. The left edge consists of predominantly NSW Country representatives that have played plenty of games at club level together, while their right side played for NSW City.
For the Maroons to win
A fast start would be ideal in enemy territory given NSW are likely to have enough strike late in the contest. Queensland possess a much more experienced and dominant spine so their combinations have already played in some big matches. Maroons hooker Brittany Breayley will need to have more of a say around the ruck alongside Ali Brigginshaw and make the Blues second-guess themselves in defence. If the Maroons can skip out to a strong lead going into half-time it should hold them in good stead to go on to victory. Not much split the teams in last season's maiden clash but a 69% completion rate in the second half proved the Maroons' downfall.
Stat Attack
Two areas are worth noting for the upcoming clash in comparing the side's efforts last season. NSW managed 14 one-on-one tackles compared to Queensland's two, while the Maroons threw dummy passes on 36 occasions across their sets with the Blues totalling just 15. Queensland weren't as slick in their backline movements but still managed six offloads to one, indicating second-phase play is in them and something both sides should rely a lot more heavily on.
And another thing ...
The game will be played in 30-minute halves as per the format last year. A total of eight interchanges per side can be used. Head Injury Assessments will also apply.
