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 in Newcastle.
The Sky Blues made a roaring start in Game One from which the Maroons simply couldn't recover and by full-time NSW had made six line breaks to Queensland'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.
SportsBet Betting Preview - NSW Sky Blues v QLD Maroons
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: Olivia Kernick will start at lock and Keeley Davis goes to the bench in a late shift an hour before kick-off. Corban Baxter and Rachael Pearson are again the halves after orchestrating the Game One win while Jaime Chapman starts on the wing after her heroics in Brisbane. Kirra Dibb is 18th player.
Queensland: No game day changes after powerhouse forward Keilee Joseph joined the bench when the squad was updated on Wednesday night, bumping Sophie Holyman out of the 17. Joseph returns for her third Origin game after missing the series opener through injury. Lauren Brown moves to hooker after initially being named at centre, with debutante Emmanita Paki now starting in a reshuffled backline and Destiny Brill moving back to the bench. Captain Ali Brigginshaw will start at halfback in place of Zahara Temara, with Sienna Lofipo the new lock. Temara is the Maroons' 18th player.
Match: Sky Blues v Maroons
Game 2 -
home Team
Sky Blues
away Team
Maroons
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 5 Evania Pelite
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Winger for Sky Blues is number 5 Tiana PenitaniWinger for Maroons is number 17 Emmanita Paki
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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 4 Lauren Brown
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Prop for Sky Blues is number 10 Caitlan Johnston-GreenProp 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 15 Olivia KernickLock for Maroons is number 13 Sienna Lofipo
Interchange
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 13 Keeley DavisInterchange for Maroons is number 9 Destiny Brill
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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 16 Grace KempInterchange for Maroons is number 15 Makenzie Weale
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Interchange for Sky Blues is number 17 Sarah TogatukiInterchange for Maroons is number 19 Keilee Joseph
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sky Blues is number 19 Kirra DibbReplacement for Maroons is number 18 Zahara Temara
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sky Blues have won five of the eight State of Origin games played since 2018, including three of the past four.
- 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.
- The Maroons have won only one of four Origin games played in New South Wales.
- Sky Blues halfback Rachael Pearson has scored most points in women’s Origin (18).
- Ali Brigginshaw and Tazmin Rapana have played all eight Origin games for the Maroons.
- Kezie Apps and Isabelle Kelly have played all eight Origin games for the Sky Blues.
