Points aggregate to determine Origin winner if series drawn

The NRL has confirmed a possible 1-1 series draw in Ampol Women's State of Origin will see the winner decided by points aggregate in 2023. 

The interstate rivalry will kick off on Thursday, June 1 at CommBank Stadium with New South Wales hosting Queensland before attention turns to Townsville where the Maroons will return serve to the Sky Blues at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

An expansion of women's Origin to two games was announced last year after five seasons previously where one standalone match was played.

The ARL Commission have signed off on a points aggregate format for this year's schedule in a bid to keep the series alive and give both sides a chance to win the shield from the first minute of Game One to the last minute of Game Two.

In the event that each state wins one match of the 2023 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series, the following rules have been endorsed by the ARLC:

• The series winner will be determined by the aggregated scores accumulated across the two matches (total score across the two matches).
• If, at the conclusion of the series the two teams are equal on aggregate score (total points scored across the two matches), a series winner will be determined according to the following criteria from the two matches: Most tries scored. Then if equal, most goals kicked. Then if equal, most drop goals kicked. Then if equal, least amount of penalties conceded across the two matches. Then if equal, the team that scored the first try of the series. Then if equal, The team that scored the first goal of the series. Then if equal, the team that scored the first drop goal of the series.

For clarity, drawn matches at the end of regulation time in either Game One or Game Two will have standard golden point rules apply to achieve a winner for each game. 

If scores are equal at the conclusion of normal time in any Women's State of Origin match, a period of extra time shall follow whereby the first scorer of any point or points (e.g., field goal, penalty goal or try) will immediately be declared the winner.

Play shall then continue an unlimited time basis until the first point or points have been scored to determine the winner of the match.

The decision to put the points aggregate format into effect was made with a number of key reasons behind, including:

• The aggregate system will ensure that, regardless of the result in Game One, Game Two will remain a live contest;
• This will ensure interest is high in both games and there will be ongoing engagement and excitement over the series.
• The winner of the series will be the result of the actions of players and teams from this year, rather than previous year (which would involve different players)
• The option of the Shield being retained by the team currently holding the shield (NSW) is not supported by either States or the RLPA
• The concept would also promote attacking play and lead to a more exciting finish should aggregate scores be close;
• It is commonly used in premiership and international soccer when finals or playoffs are determined by two-match ties, and means the series winner would not be known until the conclusion of the second match, regardless of the outcome of Game One;
• It would assist the growth of the women’s game from grassroots through to elite with interest in both Women’s State of Origin matches.

NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder said on Thursday her focus would remain on winning both games but understood that points differential would play a huge part - particularly ahead of the second fixture in North Queensland.

"It doesn't change for us because no matter what we've got to win two games to win a series," Hilder said.

"We won't be thinking that way if it is decided like that after a 1-1 draw. The whole scenario is a bit weird but we've just got to keep that mentality until we have to think otherwise."