The 2024 Women’s 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.
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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.
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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.
TEAMS
WESTPAC NSW SKY BLUES
1. Emma Tonegato (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
2. Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
3. Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters)
4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)
5. Tiana Penitani (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
6. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters)
7. Rachael Pearson (Parramatta Eels)
8. Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)
9. Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights)
10. Caitlan Johnston (Newcastle Knights)
11. Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights)
12. Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers)
13. Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters)
14. Taliah Fuimaono (Gold Coast Titans)
15. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)
16. Grace Kemp (Canberra Raiders)
17. Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers)
Reserves:
18. Jakiya Whitfeld (North Queensland Cowboys)
19. Kirra Dibb (North Queensland Cowboys)
Coach: Kylie Hilder
HARVEY NORMAN QUEENSLAND MAROONS
1. Tamika Upton
2. Julia Robinson
3. Shenae Ciesiolka
4. Evania Pelite
5. Emily Bass
6. Tarryn Aiken
7. Zahara Temara
8. Shannon Mato
9. Destiny Brill
10. Jessika Elliston
11. Tazmin Rapana
12. Romy Teitzel
13. Ali Brigginshaw
14. Emma Manzelmann
15. Sophie Holyman
16. Lauren Brown
17. Makenzie Weale
Reserves:
18. Sienna Lofipo
19. Skyla Adams
Coach: Tahnee Norris
Source Agencies
