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Special training sessions with a Maroons legend have Queensland centre Rory Owen primed for her State of Origin debut.
The Parramatta rookie is one of three fresh faces named in Queensland’s squad of 17 named by coach Tahnee Norris for next week’s series opener, but she’s managing to keep the nerves at bay having spent time preparing with men’s State of Origin leading try scorer Greg Inglis.
Inglis – who joined Norris as an assistant coach this year after previously providing input as a mentor – has been helping the backs during their pre-camp training block, including some special sessions with Owen in Sydney.
“GI's just such a hero, I just have so much respect for him,” Owen told NRL.com.
“Everything he says is so impressive … definitely one of the like my favourite coaches I've been under.
“He's just a really nice guy as well, makes me feel confident in myself … (and) I know he'll be proud of us no matter what.
“GI was a centre, so (for our sessions) he has a lot of special knowledge on that and we go through centre-specific stuff, but also just working on my confidence and giving encouragement.
“We run through a session and then he'll just pull me out, give me a few tips and really help … and I'm so excited that he's on board on our team.”
Norris said Owen had a standout debut season last year and had since benefited from the mentorship of Inglis, working hard in the training camps to earn her selection in the Game One line-up.
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
“Rory came out of nowhere last year in the NRLW with the Parramatta Eels and really stood up for them and I thought she had a fantastic season and got noticed and that's how she came into the mix and came into the squad originally,” Norris said.
“She hasn't been in rugby league for very long, she's come from a sevens background, but an exciting prospect.
“She made the PM's XIII team last year as well and I am really looking forward to what she can showcase in the game for sure.
“I'm so excited to have GI on board, he's been around the women’s game for a really long time.
“He's had a vested interest in the women's game and to have him on board full-time and mentoring our outside backs like Rory who's new to it all, I think that's good.
“He's been a really big influence on the training sessions that we've had with Rory down in Sydney.
“He's been really good in stepping into that role.”
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Introducing the Ampol Women's State of Origin Series for 2025
Owen's selection in the Queensland side for the match on May 1 means she is once again in line to make a significant debut at Suncorp Stadium after playing her first NRLW game there in Round 1 last year, then only her third game of rugby league, after pursuing rugby sevens and athletics early in her sporting career.
Born in Brisbane and growing up watching State of Origin with her family, the RLPA 2024 Rookie of the Year will have plenty of familiar faces come to share her milestone.
“It's so crazy that I debuted for my first round debut game at Suncorp and now I get to debut for Queensland at Suncorp," Owen said.
“I've gotten so many texts, so many messages from people I used to know my childhood friends, new friends, people I haven't met, just been like they're coming, they're going to support, and that they go for Queensland.
“It's a good team that it brings everyone together.”
