Summary
What a night in Newcastle – all credit to the crowd for coming out in such huge numbers in truly awful weather. I have so much inspiration as I sit typing this blog in my oodie in front of the heater. They’re made of tough stuff up there in steel country. But even tougher were the players on the field who put on a magnificent contest. It was really quality rugby league in awful conditions and both teams made it a sensational contest.
It’s worth remembering that this is essentially preseason for the women – the NRLW doesn’t kick off until late July – so the fact that we’ve had two such high quality games is extraordinary and a real credit to all the players.
Queensland draw level in the series and either team could win it from here. Queensland get the home game advantage in Townsville, but considering the first two games have both been won by the away teams, that may not be as big an advantage as it appears on paper. Queensland will be buoyed by their ability to fight back from a game down and being down in this match, but NSW know they have the skills and heart to take the game out of Queensland’s reach. We’re set up for a thrilling decider in three weeks – I’m not sure how they expect us to wait that long without any women’s rugby league to be honest!
Our match report is now live, from the very brave Jack Snape who fought the Newcastle deluge to bring it to us. Good night from me and I hope you’ll join me again for Game III.
Updated
Player of the Match: Shannon Mato
The Queensland prop wins the player of the match and gets $2000 to give to the club where her brother, niece and nephew play. She’s delighted with the win and her performance.
“I’m really emotional right now and I’m just so proud, I can’t wait to share this with my family.”
And finally the Aiken brilliance that levelled the score to set up the finish!
Tarryn Aiken with some individual brilliance! 🤩#Origin pic.twitter.com/xtGphECivr
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 6, 2024
Then we had Penitani putting the Blues back in the lead a few minutes later…
Penitani in the corner! 💥#Origin pic.twitter.com/JuHOWUL9RM
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 6, 2024
A few tries to reminisce about while we wait for the player of the match to be announced, starting with this big Ciesiolka dive for the line.
Brigginshaw with the cutout for Ciesiolka! 🔥#Origin Thanks to @goodyear pic.twitter.com/FzerCNa77W
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 6, 2024
Queensland fullback Tamika Upton pays credit to Lauren Brown for the incredible field goal that got them over the line.
“We practiced for that and Loz has been so diligent with her kicking practice. I actually threw the worst pass to her!”
A very emotional Jess Sergis shows how important this series is to the players, she’s clearly hurting a lot after that loss.
“It was a pretty hard game to be honest. I don’t even know what to say, I’m just pretty disappointed to be honest. We did the best we could.”
Full-time: NSW 10-11 QLD
Well that was an absolute rollercoaster! NSW dominated possession and position for so much of the game, but as we said at the start, you never write Queensland off. The series is level and we’re going to a decider in Townsville in three weeks!
FIELD GOAL! NSW 10-11 QLD
Well that’s probably sealed it, under incredible pressure, Brown nails the field goal into the wind and straight over the black dot.
68 mins: Tonegato makes a good run up the field, but is confronted by a wall of Maroon jerseys. Chapman and Apps both make strong plays as well to take the Blues down the field, but hometown hero Johnston can’t hold the ball and Queensland get the scrum feed just before the halfway line. Mato makes a good run, but the NSW defence holds firm.
66 mins: Eyes are on Pearson for NSW and Brown for Queensland now, as field goals start to come into play – they are their teams’ best hopes when it comes to slotting a one-pointer. Pearson puts in a great kick at the end of their set to really test Upton, but as usual she is up to the challenge. Queensland again march down the field with incredible determination.
64 mins: What a game we have on our hands here and we’re starting to think about golden point now. Both teams will be hoping they can score again in regular time however and Pelite for the Maroons makes a big run down the field.
GOAL! NSW 10-10 QLD
Brown makes no mistake this time and levels things up in Newcastle.
TRY! NSW 10-8 QLD
A big play from the Maroons from the kick off with Aiken putting in a slip kick that evades all the Blues players and just makes the 10m to go into touch. Queensland make great use of the ball and Aiken gets on the inside of Clydsdale to dive over the line.
60 mins: Disastrous kick attempt from Pearson, she slips over and the ball dribbles off along the ground…
TRY! NSW 10-4 QLD
Wow! A one-on-one strip by Sergis, taking the ball from Robinson to put the Blues in sensational position. Baxter puts a great pass in for Penitani, who dives over the line in the corner.
58 mins: A great kick off from Pearson sees Queensland start the set deep in their half and NSW look desperate to keep them down there. The rain certainly hasn’t dampened the fire in this game. Brigginshaw puts in the early kick looking for a 40-30, but Tonegato picks the ball up in the field of play to get their set moving. There’s just an incredible amount of water on the field right now. It can’t be pleasant out there at all.
56 mins: Brown misses the conversion, so NSW hold a narrow lead with 14 minutes left to play. It’s anyone’s game from here!
TRY! NSW 6-4 QLD
Shenae Ciesiolka finally finds the space and dives over the line after a great cut out pass from Brigginshaw.
54 mins: Queensland gets a penalty and the crowd do not enjoy that. The Maroons are desperate for some points and they are playing with so much passion as they get down towards the NSW line again
53 mins: Upton scrambles for the line, but NSW put enough pressure on to force an error and they manage to keep Queensland scoreless – for now. The rain is getting heavier and NSW are trying to get the ball out of their own half and get themselves out of immediate danger. Johnston makes another huge hit up and Pearson puts in a great kick to test Upton.
51 mins: Desperate defence from NSW keeps Brill from scoring, but the Maroons keep on pushing for the line. Joseph goes incredibly close to scoring, but Queensland eventually have to put a kick in – Penitani picks it up, but can’t get back into the field of play and it’s a line drop out and another set for Queensland. Mato starts the set with a big hit up and they keep on running at the line time after time.
49 mins: Pelite pounces on Tonegato’s kick to dart down the field and Queensland are looking dangerous. Brigginshaw puts in a very good kick, Tonegato looks to defuse it, but then fumbles and knocks it forward and Queensland get a scrum feed deep in NSW territory and this looks like their best scoring opportunity so far.
47 mins: NSW gets the scrum feed on the halfway line and then pick up a penalty on the first tackle as Brigginshaw catches Kelly high with a swinging arm. The first tackle is within 20m of the tryline, so they’ve got a big opportunity here. Kernick gets them within a metre of the tryline, before Baxter also makes a huge play for it, but the Maroons defence holds strong.
45 mins: Apps tries to inspire her team with a really strong hit up, pushing down the field to get Pearson in strong kicking position. It’s a good kick, but the NSW chasers are ruled to have gone into the tackle too early and Queensland gets a penalty. Sergis is also in some trouble with some kind of lower leg injury, while Chapman is dealing with a cramp and downing some pickle juice to get her out of trouble. Sergis is staying out there, but she doesn’t look great. Queensland can’t capitalise on their penalty, they lose the ball on the second tackle.
43 mins: Close to another try for NSW, but Davis can’t score this time and she’s held up over the line and it’s a handover to Queensland. Then NSW give away a penalty and Queensland are piggy backed down the field, much to the crowd’s disgust. Queensland building momentum towards the try line with the last play 14 metres out, but Aiken can’t hold on to a low pass and NSW gets the ball back.
41 mins: A good set from Queensland means that NSW has to work hard to get the ball out of their own half and the crowd is willing a penalty to help them down the field. They can’t get one for them, but a little touch from Queensland in the middle of the set gives NSW another set of six, so that’s the next best thing.
39 mins: Chapman finds space at the start of NSW’s set, but Queensland’s defence is strong and NSW needs to persist with more patience. A tricky little grubber from Pearson puts Queensland under pressure, but they’re up to the challenge. Sergis passed her HIA, so she’s back on the field. Not too surprising because it certainly didn’t look like she got a head knock in that challenge late in the first half.
37 mins: A strong run by Grace Kemp to start the half. The rain is still falling, but the Blues are handling the ball well at the moment and a good kick by Baxter gets the ball into the in goal and gives NSW a strong defensive position.
The second half is underway, with Queensland kicking off and NSW taking first use of the football – just 35 exciting minutes left to play!
If you haven’t watched much women’s rugby league before, you might be wondering why they’re playing 35 minute halves. It’s been a point of discussion for a while now. Surely we’re at a point where an extra five minutes in each half is warranted? It would be good to see game lengths extended across both Origin and the NRLW – there doesn’t seem to be much reason to have them at this weird shorter length.
While you’re catching your breath at half-time, why not re-live this great try from Keeley Davis?
Keeley Davis bringing impact off the bench! 💥#Origin pic.twitter.com/os7t8T5Kr4
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 6, 2024
Updated
Half-time: NSW 6-0 QLD
A low-scoring half, which is to be expected in these very wet conditions. NSW will be happy with the points on the board, but Queensland will be heartened that they’re still in the contest. A huge second half to come, don’t go anywhere!
34 mins: Getting close to half time now and NSW are in great position and hoping to get some more points on the board before the break. Sergis has been told she has to leave the field for a concussion test. Tonegato gets the ball in good space, but she can’t hold it and hands the ball back to Queensland – she’s not happy with herself about that. Great defence from NSW, they’ve still got hopes of adding some points before half time.
32 mins: A huge run from Teitzel gets Queensland close to the line again, but NSW persist with their defence and cut off a cheeky kick from Upton to get themselves back on attack. They march on down the middle of the field. Sergis makes a great run and in desperation, the Queensland defenders catch her high and it’s a penalty to NSW.
30 mins: Weale hits it up again and gets within a metre of the line on the fifth tackle. Pelite goes so close to opening the scoring for Queensland on the last, but NSW holds her up over the line and its a changeover. Strong runs from Apps and Kelly get the set moving for NSW, but there’s another error late in the set – the slippery conditions are starting to get the better of both teams now.
28 mins: Another good start to the set by NSW, but Apps drops the ball midway through the set and Queensland get an opportunity. Weale has a strong hit up and Queensland are in good position with tackles in hand.
26 mins: In this weather it’s very important to get points on the board and NSW have done just that!
GOAL! NSW 6-0 QLD
Pearson converts the try and NSW are flying high.
TRY! NSW 4-0 QLD
Sergis makes a fantastic line break and NSW get in great position – Keeley Davis gets on an angle and dives for the line to open the scoring.
24 mins: Queensland get their first good field position and they look dangerous, but NSW are able to withstand the pressure and Penitani dives on a Brigginshaw kick to defuse it and bring it out of defence. Late in the tackle count, Queensland give away a penalty, which is disappointing for them after a good period of play.
22 mins: Pearson puts in a great kick behind Upton, but she’s too good to be fooled and she gathers it up and darts up the centre of the field. NSW again rushes up on Brigginshaw for the kick, forcing a pass instead. There’s a knock on and Queensland challenges it, but the referee is proved right and NSW gets the ball back. But then NSW makes an error dropping the ball in the tackle and it’s a scrum feed to Queensland.
20 mins: Queensland starts this set with more caution and it works for them, moving the ball up the field more quickly and confidently than they have in recent sets. The crowd is riding every tackle and they definitely want more penalties than they’re getting so far!
18 mins: Queensland starts their set well, but the slippery ball catches them out and they drop the ball on NSW’s 40m line. More than a quarter of the way into the contest now and still no points on the board, but it’s been an intriguing match so far. Johnston gets so close to scoring, which would have made the crowd erupt!
16 mins: A huge amount of pressure put on Brigginshaw on the kick and NSW force her to put in a very short kick to get themselves in good position. Another sensational hit up by Johnston and she gets a fantastic offload away. Quick hands move the ball quickly – quite unbelievable in these conditions! Pearson kicks for Chapman, but it’s a little too long and she can’t score.
14 mins: Pearson’s kick comes back to her off a Queensland hand, so there’s six more tackles, but Elliot loses the ball soon after. Queensland gets the scrum feed just in front of their own line.
12 mins: It looks incredibly unpleasant out there, but the players don’t look too bothered. Clydsdale makes a big run for NSW, but Mato is penalised and put on report for a pretty nasty looking hair pull when she tries to stop her. It’s a good opportunity for NSW and Chapman makes a play at the line, but she’s pulled down by about 20 Queenslanders just short.
10 mins: It’s not the electric start we got in the last match, which isn’t surprising given the weather. Both teams are exercising caution and putting pressure on their opponents. NSW finish a strong set with a good kick from Pearson and stifle Queensland in defence to try to keep the play down Queensland’s end of the field.
8 mins: Queensland are putting in the hard yards in defence, they don’t want another start like they had in Game I. They force Pearson to put in a shorter kick than she’d like to get themselves in good position but again Johnston fights back with a huge tackle. Brigginshaw puts in a good kick, but Tonegato is up to the challenge of catching the slippery ball.
6 mins: A risky pass from the Blues leads to their first error of the game and Queensland get the scrum feed deep in their own end and make a good run up the field through Elliston. They get in good field position, but Johnston makes a sensational tackle, which the crowd loves, and stifles the momentum.
4 mins: Johnston gets a huge roar for her first hit up – the home crowd loves her! Apps makes a great line break to get the Blues close to the try line and Pearson puts a great kick into the in goal. Queensland drop the ball, but the referee rules it was lost backwards and they survive NSW’s first attack. Good defence by NSW gets them in great field position to start their set and Chapman makes a great run down the field.
2 mins: A wobbly kick off with Pearson falling over as she kicked – I’d expect to see plenty of that tonight. There’s so much water coming off the ground every time anyone takes a step. It’s a good first set from Queensland with an early kick from Brigginshaw sitting up in the in goal, but Tonegato gets it back into the field of play and then the Maroons give away a penalty.
And we’re off! NSW has kicked off and Game II is underway.
The teams are out on the field now – the stadium looks really full despite the rain continuing to fall and we’re only minutes away from kick off. Welcome to Country and national anthem about to begin.
As much fun as it is to make fun of Andrew Johns (and don’t get me wrong, it is a lot of fun), it is genuinely cool as a someone who grew up as a rugby league loving little girl to see people like him and Phil Gould, who I associate so deeply with the sport, doing this deep analysis of the women’s game and taking it completely seriously. The bar is low, but it is nice to see them step over it. When I was a kid my first sporting dream was to play for the Dragons and I was pretty devastated when I found out that I couldn’t. So I still get a bit of a buzz out of how big the women’s game is now.
Remember if you’ve got any thoughts on the game tonight, Origin in general, or even just musings on life, you can drop me a line by email or on the platform they’re trying to get us to call X – the links are at the top of the page and I always love hearing from you!
Andrew Johns is taking on the Gus Gould role for tonight with the big speech opening the broadcast. He’s telling us that Newcastle is the centre of the rugby league universe, which is quite the claim. The rain is absolutely pelting down, but it doesn’t seem to have scared the crowd away, so maybe Joey is right?
While NSW unsurprisingly comes in with a basically unchanged team list, with only their reserve player different – Kirra Dibb takes that spot replacing Jakiya Whitfield – over on the Queensland side of the table, there have been plenty of tweaks.
The most notable is captain Ali Brigginshaw returning to the halves after playing lock in Game I, with Zahara Temara moving to the reserve bench. It’s a big move, but probably one that was needed after the Maroons were shocked by the Blues’ fast start three weeks ago. Brigginshaw brings a lot of experience to the playmaking position and coach Tahnee Norris will be hoping her cool head can set up some early points for her team and direct play in defence to keep the Blues from scoring early. Keilee Joseph also gets her first shot at Origin for 2024 after missing the first game through injury.
Will the Blues’ stable line up see them through this match and into a series win? Or have the Maroons made the changes needed to level the series? Not long now until we find out!
Team List: Queensland
1. Tamika Upton, 2. Julia Robinson, 3. Shenae Ciesiolka, 5. Evania Pelite, 17. Emmanita Paki, 6. Tarryn Aiken, 7. Ali Brigginshaw, 8. Shannon Mato, 4. Lauren Brown, 10. Jessika Elliston, 11. Tazmin Rapana, 12. Romy Teitzel, 13. Sienna Lofipo. Interchange: 9. Destiny Brill, 14. Emma Manzelmann, 15. Makenzie Weale, 19. Keilee Joseph. Reserve: 18. Zahara Temara
Team List: NSW
1. Emma Tonegato, 2. Jaime Chapman, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly, 5. Tiana Penitani, 6. Corban Baxter, 7. Rachael Pearson, 8. Millie Elliott, 9. Olivia Higgins, 10. Caitlan Johnston, 11. Kezie Apps, 12. Yasmin Clydsdale, 15. Olivia Kernick. Interchange: 13. Keeley Davis, 14. Taliah Fuimaono, 16. Grace Kemp, 17. Sarah Togatuki. Reserve: 18. Kirra Dibb.
If you need a reminder about the importance of this first ever three-game series, here’s one I prepared earlier…
Preamble
Welcome cockroaches and cane toads to another night of Origin! Blues fans, allow the rain to wash away the residue of last night’s unfortunate game and come into this match anew. Of course in this women’s series, NSW are up 1-0 in the first ever three-game series after pulling off a shock victory in Queensland’s fortress Suncorp Stadium three weeks ago.
But those who have joined me on the blog before will remember the rule – never write off Queensland. No matter if NSW are up 40-0 with 90 seconds to go, there is always somewhere, somehow the possibility that Queensland will find a way to win. Getting Queensland 1-0 in a series sounds like a great idea, but it’s like a red rag to a bull – you can guarantee they will come charging back.
Tonight’s game is in Newcastle, with the match selling out days before the game, which should give NSW a strong home crowd in theory. However a torrential downpour across much of NSW may keep some of the Novacastrians in their houses.
Whatever the result, it’s sure to be a wild ride getting there. So strap in, get your Maroon/Sky Blue outfits on and let’s get into it!
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