New South Wales is out to arrest a Queensland win streak when the bitter rivals meet in Canberra on Friday night.
The Maroons have won the last two women’s State of Origin ties – triumphing 8-6 in a Sunshine Coast thriller last year and 24-18 at the same venue in 2020.
The Blues aren’t used to losing, having won the four interstate clashes in a row prior to the current Queensland purple patch.
Watch Women’s State of Origin exclusively live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now
Both states have named all-star line-ups for this edition, and league legend Ruan Sims has a message to any new player thinking Origin will be a breeze.
“It’s not club footy, so you can’t go in thinking it’s club footy,” Sims told Wide World of Sports’ NRLWrap.
“It going to be 100 per cent tougher, harder, faster, than any other game you’ve ever played.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2022 women’s State of Origin, including the players Allana Ferguson is tipping to light up Canberra.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT
The 2022 standalone Origin game will be played at Canberra’s GIO Stadium this Friday, June 24.
The official kick-off time is scheduled for 7.45pm.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch the women’s State of Origin exclusively live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now
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THE TEAMS
NSW Blues: 1. Emma Tonegato 2. Yasmin Clydsdale 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Tiana Penitani 6. Kirra Dibb 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Simaima Taufa 9. Keeley Davis 10. Millie Boyle 11. Kezie Apps 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Quincy Dodd 15. Sarah Togatuki 16. Caitlan Johnston 17. Olivia Kernick. (extended squad) 18. Sam Bremner 19. Teagan Berry 20. Filomina Hanisi 21. Talei Holmes 22. Corban Baxter
Queensland Maroons: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Emily Bass 3. Evania Pelite 4. Shenae Ciesiolka 5. Julia Robinson 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Shannon Mato 11. Tallisha Harden 12. Tazmin Gray 13. Destiny Brill 14. Lauren Brown 15. Jessika Elliston 16. Steph Hancock 17. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith. (extended squad) 18. Zahara Temara 19. Karina Brown 20. Romy Teitzel 21. Keilee Joseph 22. Sara Sautia
TALE OF THE TAPE
2021: Maroons 8 d Blues 6
2020: Maroons 24 d Blues 18
2019: Blues 14 d Maroons 4
2018: Blues 16 d Maroons 10
2017: Blues 22 d Maroons 6
2016: Blues 8 d Maroons 4
THE ODDS
As of 4pm Monday, Sportsbet has the Blues as $1.80 favourites to win, with Queensland at $2.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
There’s certainly no shortage of star power in this year’s event, with the delayed 2021 NRLW season – which was played only a couple of months ago – whetting the appetite for fans leading up to Origin.
The NSW team boasts the dual Dally M Medallists from the most recent season – Millie Boyle and Emma Tonegato.
Tonegato will be the Blues fullback, while Boyle lines up at prop. They were equally judged the best players of the 2021 NRLW season.
“For these two to be in that squad, it is enormous,” former Blues player Allana Ferguson told NRLWrap.
“The fact the two of them are wearing the Sky Blues jersey is amazing. I can’t wait to see them in action.”
But while Ferguson is excited by the NSW selections, she’s equally nervous about what the Queensland team is capable of.
She pinpointed the one-two punch at hooker as the area the Maroons could get a leg up on the Blues.
Brittany Breayley-Nati will wear the No.9 jumper but then Lauren Brown will likely come off the interchange to provide a blast of energy around the ruck.
“They’ve got two really strong hooking options, both proven themselves in the NRLW,” Ferguson said.
“As a NSW player and supporter it worries me, because Lauren Brown off the bench, having that skillset and the energy, the punch she will bring – that’s like bringing Harry Grant off the bench, that’s a bit freaky.”
UNDER 19s WOMEN’S ORIGIN
The under 19s women’s State of Origin game will be played at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday at 5.45pm, in a double-header with the under 19s men’s game.
TEAMS
NSW Blues: 1. Jada Taylor 2. Petesa Lio 3. Andie Robinson 4. Mia Middleton 5. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 6. Losana Lutu 7. Tayla Montgomery 8. Monalisa Soliola 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Ruby-Jean Kennard 11. Leilani Wilson 12. Chantel Tugaga 13. Iesha Duckett 14. Anneka Wilson 15. TIana Kore 16. Tahleisha Maeva 17. Jules Kirkpatrick 18. Rosemarie Beckett 19. Chloe Jackson 20. Alana Dummett 21. Salma Nour 22. Milly Lupo. Coach: Blake Cavallaro
Queensland Maroons: 1. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 2. Jetaya Faifua 3. Jasmine Peters 4. Emmanita Paki 5. Helen Uitualagi 6. Jada Ferguson 7. Jayde Herdegen 8. April Ngatupuna 9. Lily-Rose Kolc 10. Fiona Jahnke 11. Otesa Pule 12. Hannah Larsson 13. Georgina Tuitaalili 14. Montana Mook 15. Lavinia Kitai 16. Felila Kia 17. Jacinta Carter 18. Ellie Williamson 19. Sunny Gerrard 20. Tahlia Marshall 21. Lillian Yarrow 22. Atlanta Peters
HOW TO WATCH
Watch the U19s women’s State of Origin exclusively live and free on 9Gem and 9Now
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