After earning a convincing first-up win on enemy soil, New South Wales have the chance to secure a series victory this Thursday in front of their home fans.
The Sky Blues made a roaring start in Game One from which the Maroons simply couldn't recover and by full-time NSDW had made six line breaks to their opponent's one.
While the backline got plenty of praise for their exhilarating display, coach Kylie Hilder's side were led by brilliant displays from several forwards, with Olivia Kernick topping the yardage count with 171 metres and powerhouse prop Caitlan Johnston and player of the match Yasmin Clydsdale starring.
In a bid to try and keep the three-game series alive, Queensland coach Tahnee Norris has made a key change to her spine, which will see captain Ali Brigginshaw move back into the No.7 jersey from lock.
While the Maroons got up for a win last year at CommBank Stadium, that's the only time they've had success in the four interstate games played in NSW since 2016.
Match: Sky Blues v Maroons
Game 2 -
home Team
Sky Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
New South Wales: Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder had the luxury of naming an unchanged squad for Game Two of the series on home soil in Newcastle. On the back of their 22-12 win in the opening game at Suncorp Stadium the Blues will look to wrap up the series and take back the Origin shield after losing on points aggregate in last year's two-game series.
Queensland: A number of changes for the Maroons as they look to level the series, with veteran playmaker Ali Brigginshaw shifting to halfback, Lauren Brown to the centres and Evania Pelite to the wing to cover for the injured Emily Bass (shoulder). Sienna Lofipo starts at lock with Zahara Temara dropped to the reserves alongside Keilee Joseph and Skyla Adams.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sky Blues is number 1 Emma TonegatoFullback for Maroons is number 1 Tamika Upton
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Winger for Sky Blues is number 2 Jaime ChapmanWinger for Maroons is number 2 Julia Robinson
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Centre for Sky Blues is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Maroons is number 3 Shenae Ciesiolka
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Centre for Sky Blues is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Maroons is number 4 Lauren Brown
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Winger for Sky Blues is number 5 Tiana PenitaniWinger for Maroons is number 5 Evania Pelite
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Five-Eighth for Sky Blues is number 6 Corban BaxterFive-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Tarryn Aiken
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Halfback for Sky Blues is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Maroons is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
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Prop for Sky Blues is number 8 Millie ElliottProp for Maroons is number 8 Shannon Mato
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Hooker for Sky Blues is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Maroons is number 9 Destiny Brill
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Prop for Sky Blues is number 10 Caitlan JohnstonProp for Maroons is number 10 Jessika Elliston
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2nd Row for Sky Blues is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Tazmin Rapana
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2nd Row for Sky Blues is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Romy Teitzel
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Lock for Sky Blues is number 13 Keeley DavisLock for Maroons is number 13 Sienna Lofipo
Interchange
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 14 Taliah FuimaonoInterchange for Maroons is number 14 Emma Manzelmann
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 15 Olivia KernickInterchange for Maroons is number 15 Makenzie Weale
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 16 Grace KempInterchange for Maroons is number 16 Sophie Holyman
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 17 Sarah TogatukiInterchange for Maroons is number 17 Emmanita Paki
Reserves
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Replacement for Sky Blues is number 18 Jakiya WhitfeldReplacement for Maroons is number 18 Zahara Temara
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Reserve for Sky Blues is number 19 Kirra DibbReserve for Maroons is number 19 Keilee Joseph
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Reserve for Sky Blues is number 20 Ellie JohnstonReserve for Maroons is number 20 Skyla Adams
Sky Blues Ins
- Ellie Johnston
- Kirra Dibb
Maroons Ins
- Emmanita Paki
- Keilee Joseph
- Skyla Adams
Sky Blues Outs
Maroons Ins
- Emily Bass
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sky Blues have won five of the eight State of Origin games played since 2018.
- NSW have won three of the past four matches.
- New South Wales are three from four in games played in their state since 2016.
- Maroons fullback Tamika Upton has scored two tries in her past three games, while New South Wales winger Tiana Penitani has scored two in her last two games.
