The series remains wide open ahead of the second and final game of the 2023 Ampol Women's State of Origin competition kicking off in Townsville on Thursday, June 22.
Having won the opening game in Sydney 18-10 earlier this month, the Maroons have put themselves in the driver's seat to claim their first series since 2021 and can do so with any result other than a loss by eight points or more, under the new points aggregate system.
While Game One was somewhat of a reflection of the lack of elite football played in the lead up to it – with 30 total errors made across a match which was open in style – the sequel is expected to be a different type of game with the forward packs taking on increased importance.
The Maroons have won each of the past two games played on Queensland soil, but all up in games played since 2016 it's the Sky Blues who have a 5-3 advantage in the head-to-head record.
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Team news
Queensland: China Polata will make her Origin debut after being called on to the wing in place of Julia Robinson, who is ruled out with suspension for her elbow strike on Isabelle Kelly in Game One. That is the only change made by coach Tahnee Norris, with Tallisha Harden remaining as 18th player.
New South Wales: Veterans Simaima Taufa and Tiana Penitani are both good to go after missing Game One through injury, while co-captain Isabelle Kelly is cleared to return after suffering a throat injury in the series opener. Kezie Apps will start at prop in her 11th game at this level and become the Sky Blues' most capped player. There are no late changes, with Kennedy Cherrington remaining on the bench after being a late inclusion in the run-on side for Game One.
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Must-See Matchup
Keilee Joseph v Millie Boyle
While it was the respective backlines who were responsible for the big moments in Game One, expect the forward packs to play a more important role in Townsville. Joseph and Boyle will be the key figures in that battle, with both bringing a power-based game which will determine how their spine is able to dictate play. Joseph enjoyed a strong debut for Queensland in the opener, playing 57 minutes and getting through a team-high 25 tackles. Boyle meanwhile carried for 128 metres, almost half of which came after contact.
Stat Attack
- In terms of negative metrics in Game One, both sides were very evenly matched, with the exact same number of missed tackles (22), errors (15) and penalties conceded (5).
- The two most experienced players for each squad are Ali Brigginshaw, who will line up in her 14th Origin game, and Kezie Apps who appears at this level for the 11th time.
- Despite being Queensland's youngest player having just turned 20, Destiny Brill is lining up in her third series.