As it happened: Blues claim first blood against Maroons

Press Conferences

Queensland Maroons

NSW Blues Women

Full-time: Like they did last year, the Blues have won the first game of the series with a victory at Suncorp Stadium. After holding a 14-12 lead at halftime, they came out firing in the second half and posted three unanswered tries and kept Queensland scoreless to win 32-12. 

The match was attended by a record 26, 022 crowd. 

65th min: Another try to the Blues! Johnston was held up and denied her second, but after they reset, NSW throw the ball wide to Abbi Church who makes it another to score on debut for the Blues after just touching down on the line and momentum getting her there. Southwell converts and the Blues have a big 32-12 lead.

57th min: The Blues edge further in front with a penalty goal from in front for Southwell with Queensland pinged for marker not being square. The lead extends to 26-12.

51st min: It's been a theme of the night and debutant Ellie Johnston is over for the Blues. Too strong and powerful close to the line, she carries three defenders over with her. Queensland had previously been on the attack, but a forward pass ruling gave NSW the ball in their attacking 20 and they converted their opportunity. This time Southwell kicks the extras for a 24-12 lead. 

41st min: The Blues have taken advantage of a rearranged Queensland backline and after Owen puts the ball down in their own half, NSW strike, swinging the ball out to their left to Fressard to go over for her double. Southwell again can't convert and they lead 18-12. 

39th min: Unfortunate news for the Maroons, with winger Peters ruled out for the match with a Category 1 head knock. Fellow debutant Tavarna Papalii is also off for a Category 2 HIA check. 

36th min: An error to start the half for the Blues with Sarah Togatuki playing the ball incorrectly, giving Queensland the ball in their attacking 20. 

Halftime: In an entertaining half with the momentum changing hands, the Blues lead 14-12. The Blues were out of the blocks quickly and scored three tries in the opening 20 minutes, but the difficult conversion attempts have kept Queensland in the game after the home side scored two tries of their own.

Plenty of things to be looked at in the opening half as well, with an incident put on report after NSW hooker Keeley Davis made an official complaint of an eye gouge. Kennedy Cherrington and Tiana Penitani Gray are also on report for the Blues. 

33rd min: Jasmine Peters - another player on debut - is off for Queensland for a HIA.

24th min: Another try to a debutant, with Queensland's Rory Owen going over on the left after a nice pass from Aiken. The Maroons got their chance after getting a penalty for Southwell lying in the ruck and the home side capitalise. Brown kicks to narrow the scores to 14-12. 

20th min: Jayme Fressard is a try-scorer on debut after the Blues go back-to-back on the safe left edge. After having a moment to forget earlier, Church plays a key role in setting up this try, before some quick hands from Kelly flings the ball out to her winger. Southwell's kick is waved away and Blues lead 14-6. 

In amongst all the point-scoring action, Keeley Davis has made a formal complaint against Queensland for an eye gouge. The incident was put on report by referee Belinda Sharpe. 

15th min: Blues skipper Isabelle Kelly puts her side back in front with a try out the far left. It was a messy lead-up play, but they had the Maroons scrambling and the Blues had the numbers advantage out on the edge. Southwell misses the kick and NSW leads 10-6. 

8th min: Scores are locked up after Queensland score to respond. Tarryn Aiken puts up a kick isolating Blues fullback Abbi Church, with Julia Robinson steaming on to contest the ball, with it ricocheting back into the arms of Sienna Lofipo. Lauren Brown converts for 6-6.

7th min: Queensland get their chance to attack with a Southwell kick going too deep, with fullback Tamika Upton taking it on the full.

5th min: An early error for Queensland with a kick going out on the full, giving the Blues an early attacking chance. They make the most of multiple six-again calls, with the ball eventually going out wide to the right, with Jess Sergis going over to score. Jesse Southwell's conversion attempt is successful. Blues lead 6-0.

7.30pm: The crowd is building with officials hoping to better the record attendance of 25,782 for Women's State of Origin in Game II of last year's series at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium.

The match kicks of Magic Round, which is sold out for the next three days.

“We sold out yesterday in record time and tonight for Women's State of Origin we're expecting close to 30,000 fans so over the course of the next four days, it's a true rugby league festival," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

7.15pm: The pioneering 1995 Queensland team have been presented to the crowd - 30 years after they played against New Zealand.

6.45pm: Late Mail After switching rookie Tavarna Papalii to start at lock in the team submitted 24 hours before kick-off, the Maroons have swapped the 19-year-old back to the bench, with Destiny Brill reverting to the starting line-up. The Blues are also 1-17 as originally named last week. Sharks playmaker Georgia Hannaway is 18th player for Queensland, with Titans forward Shaylee Bent performing the role for NSW.

6.20pm: Both teams have arrived, with the Maroons players and assistant coach Greg Inglis heading out to the field to inspect the playing surface. 

6.15pm: The gates have opened after fans waiting outside are entering the stadium. Caxton Street is abuzz with Maroons and Blues fans, including current and former NRL and NRLW players.

Team news

Maroons: After making a late change to the line-up a day out for the game, rookie Tavarna Papalii is back on the bench, after been promoted to start at lock in a swap with Destiny Brill. With the team list now as submitted on Tuesday, Georgia Hannaway remains as 18th player. With reigning Nellie Doherty Medal winner Shannon Mato out of the series due to pregnancy, Keilee Joseph steps up to join Jessika Elliston as prop. The other major changes for the Maroons come in the backs, with centre Rory Owen and winger Jasmine Peters named to make their debuts, with Evania Pelite also out of the side to grow her family. Jada Ferguson, who can fill in as a forward and in the halves, has been named to debut from the bench. The experienced pairing of Ali Brigginshaw and Tarryn Aiken in the halves is set to be a key factor for the Maroons. 

Blues: The Blues have no late changes, with Shaylee Bent remaining in the reserve. It will be a new-look front row for the Blues with both of last year's starting props Millie Elliott and Caitlan Johnston-Green expecting babies. New coach John Strange has handed debutant Ellie Johnston her opportunity, with the experienced Simaima Taufa moving in up front. Talented Eels fullback Abbi Church has been named in the No.1 jersey for her debut, while the other new faces are Roosters Jayme Fressard on the wing and Jocelyn Kelleher who comes from the bench. After claiming Dally M Centre of the Year honours in 2024, Tiana Penitani Gray will start at five-eighth alongside the recalled Jesse Southwell in the halves. 

Story lines

Maroons superstar Tarryn Aiken will go head-to-head with Blues coach John Strange for the first time after they won the NRLW premiership together last year with Sydney Roosters.

Recalled Blues forward Kennedy Cherrington has been passionate about State of Origin since she was two years old.

Maroons winger Julia Robinson wants to take her game to the next level by replicating the aerial feats of Xavier Coates and other NRL wingers.

Disciplined rehab and hard work will enable Jaime Chapman to line up for the Westpac NSW Blues just two months after fracturing her back.

Both teams have named four Origin debutants.