The 2024 Women's Ampol State of Origin kicks off at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night with the Sky Blues and Maroons to open the historical three-game series.
Queensland coach Tahnee Norris has shown loyalty in the players that got the job done in last year's series with 16 players who took the field during the two-match competition against the Sky Blues included in the Game One squad.
Cowboys forward Makeznie Weale and Titans star Lauren Brown are the new faces in the team named on Friday while the successful spine combination of Tamika Upton, Zahara Temara, Tarryn Aiken and Destiny Brill will return after leading the Maroons to victory in last year's two-game series.
Despite Queensland scraping through on a points aggregate system, New South Wales coach Kylie Hilder, meanwhile, will be hoping her Sky Blues can cause another upset on enemy territory after clinching a thrilling 18-14 victory in Townsville.
After putting her 36-player squad through a seven-week selection camp, Hilder has opted for a more experienced pack to steer NSW around, having now gone down in back-to-back series.
The Sky Blues will field a new look spine with NRLW veteran Corban Baxter recalled for her first Origin appearance since 2021 alongside Rachel Pearson who returns after being dropped for Game Two last season.
While the Maroons have lifted the shield in the past two series, it's the Sky Blues who still have a 4-3 advantage in the head-to-head record since 2018.
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Team News
Queensland: No further changes on game day after Keilee Joseph was ruled out earlier in the week with an MCL sprain. The forward is eyeing a return for the second clash in Newcastle. Makenzie Weale makes her Origin debut after being added to the interchange. Titans utility Lauren Brown returns to Maroons camp for the first time since 2022, while Sienna Lofipo is the 18th player.
New South Wales: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Olivia Kernick joining the starting side at lock and Keeley Davis going to the bench. Rachael Pearson is locked in to play despite early concerns over a calf injury. Kezie Apps and Isabelle Kelly co-captain a new-look outfit that boasts a new halves pairing in Corban Baxter and Pearson as well as debutants Olivia Higgins and Grace Kemp.
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Stat Attack
- The women’s Origin honour roll is currently tied at 3-all. NSW won the Shield in 2018-19 and 2022, and Queensland in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
- Maroons Emily Bass and Julia Robinson and NSW's Tiana Penitani were the equal leading tryscorers in last year's Origin series with two tries apiece.
- The Maroons won the 2023 series on points aggregate (32-28).
- The Blues have won four of the seven State of Origin games played since 2018.
- The Maroons have won two of the three Origin games played in Queensland.
- The Blues have 10 players remaining from the team that won last year’s Game 2 in Townsville.
- The Maroons have only four changes to the team that played in Townsville last year.