One of the biggest names in women’s rugby league has been dropped by NSW for this year’s Origin series, with a 24-player Blues squad named on Tuesday.
Halfback Maddie Studdon, who captained the Blues to victory in the inaugural women’s State of Origin game in 2018, has been left out of a star-studded squad after the Eels missed out on a top four berth in 2022’s first NRLW season of two.
Studdon, 27, has played six games for the Blues. This is the second time she has been dropped, after also missing out on the 2020 side.
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The squad includes six players from NRLW premiers Sydney Roosters and nine players from runners-up, the Dragons.
NSW coach Kylie Hilder spoke to Nine News immediately after naming the squad, saying she had rewarded the players who performed best in the most recent NRLW competition.
One of the most exciting additions to the Blues squad is Emma Tonegato, who ignited the NRLW after signing with the Dragons in the off-season following a glittering career in rugby sevens. Tonegato was the joint winner of the Dally M Medal this season.
“It was so good seeing her back playing rugby league,” Hilder said. “I watched when she played in the World Cup many many years ago and then following her during the sevens.
“So to have her back playing rugby league and the fact that she’s a NSW girl is real exciting for me.”
Hilder picked the complete Dragons spine in the Blues and said it was important to have established combinations, with the likes of rookie halfback Rachael Pearson knowing how to get the best out of an X-factor like fullback Tonegato.
“Those connections and having that spine together is going to be really important moving forward, with such a short prep as well,” Hilder said.
The 2022 women’s Origin game will be staged in Canberra on Friday June 24.
NSW Blues squad (alphabetical order)
Kezie Apps, Corban Baxter, Shaylee Bent, Teagan Berry, Millie Boyle, Jaime Chapman, Keeley Davis, Quincy Dodd, Taliah Fuimaono, Filomina Hanisi, Talei Holmes, Isabelle Kelly, Olivia Kernick, Bobbi Law, Yasmin Meakes, Rachael Pearson, Tiana Penitani, Jess Sergis, Hannah Southwell, Renee Targett, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Emma Tonegato, Holli Wheeler
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