A new year, a new Origin series, and Westpac NSW Blues Women’s new halves pairing of Jesse Southwell and Tiana Penitani Gray can’t wait to get started.
The 20-year-old halfback from the Newcastle Knights, who has played two Origin games, is combining with the 29-year-old Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks captain, who has played eight.
Southwell and Penitani Gray may be a raw combination but over the past two months they have absorbed each other’s style of game very well.
“We’ve spent a long six weeks together so I’m super excited to see what comes from all of that,” Southwell said.
“It’s about learning and being a better player each and every day for me.

“Tiana is such a professional on and off the field, so to lace on the boots beside her will be absolutely incredible.
“I’ve learnt a lot from her each and every session,” Southwell said.
“I’m excited to get out there because as a combination we will be something very fresh and new.”
While Southwell – a dual NRLW Premiership-winning halfback with the Knights – has played both No.7 and No.6 in her two Origin games in 2023, Penitani Gray has been a centre and winger.
But the versatile outside back did play in the halves for Tonga in the 2023 Pacific Championships and was alongside Tarryn Aiken in the Jillaroos halves for one Test in 2024.
“My job is to complement Jesse as she’s probably the best No.7 in the game at the moment,” Penitani Gray said.
“It’s been really fun working alongside her and watching the magic she can create on the field.
“There are a lot of us that are really versatile in this squad. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing how each other works.
“I’ve been really excited just to hone in this week and develop my craft alongside Jesse.”
Westpac NSW Blues Women’s coach John Strange put Penitani Gray at five-eighth, centre and fullback during the Origin squad’s six-week training block.
“It was definitely Strangey’s idea and it wasn’t the only one either.
“He had a lot of us chopping and changing through different positions over the past six weeks. It was really hard even us as players to work out who was going to slot in where.
“That’s what is great playing under someone like Strangey because he’s a very creative coach.
“Remember he’s a premiership-winning coach (with Sydney Roosters in 2021, 2024) so it’s good to be challenged and feel like a student again. I’ve loved it.
“I feel grateful I’m in the position of being named at No.6. I will absolutely put my best foot forward.
“I know there will be a lot of people potentially questioning the decision.
“But as a squad of 17 and a squad of 30 everyone has belief in the coach and is buying in to what he knows this team is capable of.”