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Who wins game one tonight?
Watch: will Queensland exploit the Blues’ lack of kickers?
Queensland team list
No changes for Tahnee Norris’ team. This is what they look like.
1. Tamika Upton (c), 2. Julia Robinson, 3. Shenae Ciesiolka, 4. Rory Owen, 5. Jasmine Peters, 6. Tarryn Aiken, 7. Ali Brigginshaw, 8. Keilee Joseph, 9. Lauren Brown, 10. Jessika Elliston, 11. Sienna Lofipo, 12. Romy Teitzel, 13. Destiny Brill, 14. Jada Ferguson, 15. Sophie Holyman, 16. Makenzie Weale, 17. Tavarna Papalii
Tamika Upton and the Queensland team at their captain’s run on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images
NSW team list
No changes to Blues coach John Strange’s team tonight. Here’s how they line up.
1. Abbi Church, 2. Jaime Chapman, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly (c), 5. Jayme Fressard, 6. Tiana Penitani Gray, 7. Jesse Southwell, 8. Simaima Taufa, 9. Keeley Davis, 10. Ellie Johnston, 11. Kezie Apps, 12. Yasmin Clydsdale, 13. Olivia Kernick, 14. Jocelyn Kelleher, 15. Kennedy Cherrington, 16. Sarah Togatuki, 17. Emma Verran (nee Tonegato)
NSW halves pairing Tiana Penitani Gray (left) and Jesse Southwell.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Will the Suncorp surface hold up?
I’ve just spotted Maroons coach Tahnee Norris, who is having a close look at the Suncorp Stadium surface.
It’s a case of ‘time will tell’ with the turf here at Suncorp, after ground staff ripped it up and lay down fresh grass after it copped a battering across the Anzac Day long weekend.
Does it look a little patchy? Yes. But, it’s also very dry, so I’m thinking we will be ok tonight. It won’t be until later in the week that it’s really tested.
Side note: assistant coach Greg Inglis is also out on the pitch with the Norris and the team, having a little chat with playmaker Tarryn Aiken…would love to know what he’s thinking.
What happened last year?
In case you’re a little foggy on what happened last year, let me remind you.
The Blues shot out of the gate with a 1-0 series lead after schooling Queensland with 22-12 at Suncorp Stadium, before the teams headed to Newcastle for game two.
In the pouring rain, with scores locked 10-10 and two minutes left on the clock, Lauren Brown kicked a beautiful field goal for the Maroons and lead them to an 11-10 victory to lock the series at 1-1.
It all came down to game three in Townsville, where it was the Maroons turn to teach NSW a lesson. Tahnee Norris’ team walked away with a 22-6 victory and were the winners of the women’s first three-game Origin series.
The Maroons celebrate their series win.Credit: Getty Images
Who wins game one tonight?
Welcome
Good evening Origin fans.
It feels like only yesterday I was watching the Maroons lift the shield at the end of the 2024 Origin series, but here we are again.
First time for me at Suncorp Stadium, and let me tell you, Caxton Street is already pumping ahead of kick-off tonight and then magic round for the rest of the weekend.
A few blue jerseys floating around, but they are heavily outnumbered by a sea of Maroon.
We’re expecting a crowd above 25,000 here tonight, which will (hopefully) break the women’s Origin record of 25,492.
Kick-off is 7.45pm, I’ll bring you team lists and news until then.
