Southwell set for Origin debut as NSW make sweeping changes

Newcastle's premiership-winning halfback Jesse Southwell is in line to make her Ampol State of Origin debut after being one of six new faces included in the NSW Sky Blues squad named on Thursday.

Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder has included Southwell alongside five other rookies vying for a final spot in her 17 for the series opener at CommBank Stadium on June 1 while 13 incumbents will return following their 20-14 victory in Canberra.

Southwell, who burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in the NRLW in 2022, looks set to start in the halves for her maiden representative jersey after helping guide the Knights to the title last October.

Hilder said with several 2022 standouts omitted from the squad due to injury, this year's series comes as an opportunity for the next generation of stars to light up the State of Origin stage.

"We have got a few new faces, I've named six debutants with potentially four of them playing," Hilder said.

“We will finalise that squad as it gets closer to the game, but obviously we were rattled with a few injuries with some key players.

“But it's a great opportunity for these girls that I've picked to step up. It doesn't matter who we put in there, they all get in there and they’ll get the job done.

“We’ve still got a good core group from last year's game and everyone that comes into our pathways or into this squad knows what needs to be done, what their jobs are and we'll just get on and get it done."

The Sky Blues squad features 11 players who went away with the Jillaroos squad for the victorious World Cup campaign in November including Titans recruits Jaime Chapman and Taliah Fuimaono, who are in line for an Origin debut.

Hilder will trim her team to 18 for the clash at CommBank Stadium in the lead-up to the match with Sharks rookie Brooke Anderson, forward Ellie Johnston and winger Teagan Berry all a chance to make their debut.

“Brooke Anderson, obviously she's played with Cronulla Sharks for the Harvey Norman competition and played with Parramatta Eels last year at NRLW, she's a great player," Hilder told NRL.com.

"Then we've got also Ellie Johnston, same boat with the Cronulla Sharks and also played with Parramatta.

“Fui (Taliah Fuimaono), she would have been part of my squad last year, but got an injury so she was ruled out, so really excited to have her with us this year.

“And Tegan Berry's been part of the system … so it's going to be good and looking forward to it."

In a blow for the side, Simaima Taufa has been ruled out for at least the opening game due to a shoulder injury.

Taufa injured her shoulder in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership grand final and requires surgery. It is expected she will be available for the NRLW in July but her fitness for Origin II is under a cloud. 

Jillaroos forwards Caitlan Johnston and Holli Wheeler are also unavailable after picking up knee injuries in the state competition while Hannah Southwell remains on the comeback trail following ACL surgery. 

Among the others excluded from last year's side include Cowboys-bound five-eighth Kirra Dibb and retired Jillaroo Sam Bremner, while Parramatta forward Kennedy Cherrington has been recalled after being overlooked last year.