Player ratings for the Queensland Maroons team in their women's State of Origin clash with the NSW Blues at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
1. Tamika Upton: Absolutely phenomenal debut, scoring a double including a sublime 80-metre try from a kick return. Recorded 240 metres – 100 more than anyone else on the park – to continue her stunning NRLW form. 9.5/10
2. Shenae Ciesiolka: Quiet in attack with only two runs but delivered when called upon and made six tackles without a miss. 5.5
3. Julia Robinson: A rock in defence with strong hits on Botille Vette-Welsh, Jess Sergis and Kezie Apps. Terrific in attack, too, with 84 metres. 8
4. Lauren Brown: Busy with seven carries and produced a couple important defensive stops, particularly on Isabelle Kelly in the opening exchanges, and kicked four goals which proved crucial. 7.5
Match Highlights: Maroons v Blues
5. Karina Brown: Had plenty of relieving dummy-half runs to assist the forwards. Like her namesake teammate, did well to scramble and keep Kelly at bay early on. 8
6. Tarryn Aiken: Played like a ventriloquist in the second half, leaving the Blues spellbound by her dummies. Set up Upton after breaking the line with a show-and-go, then performed an encore to score from close range. Tackled well. 9
Aiken breaks the line and Upton looms up for her double
7. Zahara Temara: Somewhat quiet, taking a backseat to Ali Brigginshaw and Aiken, but played her role. Came up with some good kicks. 7
8. Chelsea Lenarduzzi: Got through the hard yakka in the middle and helped generate momentum in attack. Finished with 98 metres from 13 runs in a strong display. 7.5
9. Brittany Breayley: Sitting out the recent NRLW campaign hasn't dulled the hooker's abilities. Steady and slick if not brilliant. Took on a big defensive workload with 24 tackles. 7
The top tackles from Women's Origin
14. Rona Peters: Promoted to start and made her presence felt by dishing out some heavy tackles. Four carries for 30 metres. 7
11. Tallisha Harden: Immense effort. Helped turn momentum in her side's favour through some piercing runs totalling 131 metres and didn't stop working. 8
12. Tazmin Gray: Solid on the edge, enjoying some good moments in attack and defence with an error her only real blemish. 6.5
13. Ali Brigginshaw: Classy as usual. Pulled the strings cleverly in the middle and kicked nicely. Defended herself to a standstill, topping the Maroons count with 29 tackles, often utilising a copybook low technique. 8
Brigginshaw and Hancock lift shield
Interchange
10. Stephanie Hancock: Always a handful to bring down with plenty of vigour in her carries. The 38-year-old fittingly scored the barge-over try to seal victory. A shame that she went off injured at the end. 8
15. Annette Brander: Punched out 32 minutes and made an impact in defence, contributing 20 tackles. 6.5
16. Shannon Mato: A force to be reckoned with off the bench, posting 124 metres from 15 carries. Impressive entrance to Origin. 8
17. Shaniah Power: Similar to Brander in that her attacking involvement was limited but she let no one down with her tackling. 6.5
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.
