It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
“We need Origin efforts”.
That was the call from Maroons trainer and former Origin representative Meg Ward that inspired Queensland to come from behind and prevent an historic 3-0 blue rinse in the series finale at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Queensland trailed 14-6 midway through the second half and after being forced into a pre-game reshuffle when centre Rory Owen was ruled out before losing three more players during the match, Ward knew it was going to take a special effort.
Enter Chelsea Lenarduzzi, whose late try gave the Maroons an 18-14 lead after captain Ali Brigginshaw signalled her to call upon an old move the pair knew.
“If you look at the series of events, we probably shouldn't have won,” Lenarduzzi said. “We lost an outside back, and then we lost our other centre [Shenae Ciesiolka] in the game, and then Destiny [Brill] has had to go off, so it is a credit to our staff.
It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
Chelsea Lenarduzzi Try
“Meg Ward just came on and kept yelling stuff at us. She was saying, ‘We need Origin efforts. I need a few more sets’, so it was good comms from her.
“I guess you have just got to hang on when the team needs you and I thought there were moments where girls really did show up that were like classic Origin moments.”
Lenarduzzi, who started at lock in a late switch which saw Brigginshaw used as an impact player off the bench, revealed that the star playmaker had directed her to produce the winning play five minutes before full-time.
It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
Instant reactions: Chelsea Lenarduzzi
“Unfortunately, the first two games didn't go our way, but we had nothing to lose and we were all just full of energy. If anything, it was like there was no pressure,” she said.
“It didn’t matter that we had lost the series, every Origin game is really important. It is a big responsibility to wear this jersey, and an Origin is still an Origin. You represent yourself, your state and your family.
“We have been disappointed with the last couple of results so we had to show what we are capable of.”
With a 54th minute Romy Teitzel try giving the Maroons hope of snatching victory, Brigginshaw signalled to her Broncos team-mate what she had planned and the Jillaroos great jumped into dummy half after prop Makenzie Weale was tackled on the NSW tryline.
Sophie Holyman and player-of the-match Jessika Elliston acted as decoy runner either side of the ruck and Brigginshaw dummied inside to Holyman before passing to Lenarduzzi, who was running off her outside hip.
“That is kind of my trademark move, to be honest,” Lenarduzzi said. “Ali sort of gave me the eyes a couple of sets earlier and then we laid it in the perfect spot, so we barely had to say anything.
“Ali gave me a look and I knew what she meant. It is one of my favourite plays and it worked at the right time, I guess.”
Brigginshaw had been the subject of vile trolling on social media before the match and Lenarduzzi hit out at the keyboard warriors and faceless critics.
“Some of the stuff that has been said about Ali has just been over the mark by a long shot,” she said.
“Attacking her personally is just not on. No player deserves that. You can critique someone's footy ability, but you can't critique who they are as a person.”
Lenarduzzi had her own run in with fans after being sinbinned in the dying seconds of the game for a professional foul that gave Queensland time to set their line to defend one last tackle.
It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
NSW Blues v QLD Maroons - Game III, 2025
She was booed again while being interviewed at fullback by Darren Lockyer for Nine and but praised the supporters in Newcastle.
“I like that because that's Origin and one thing about Newcastle, the fans really show up and they are very passionate about their teams,” Lenarduzzi said.
“This time it was the Blues, obviously, but when we play the Knights it's the same thing and that's what makes rugby league good.
“I like it when they do that because that's the spectacle of sport. They started booing me at the end and luckily we wrapped it up.”