The Westpac NSW Blues Women have successfully reclaimed the Ampol State of Origin Shield for the first time since 2022, securing a 26-6 win over Queensland in Game Two at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
NSW now lead the series 2-0 and will be able to lift the shield in front of their home fans, after Game Three at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday 29 May.
Captain Isabelle Kelly couldn’t have been more proud of her Blues side having overcome an early 6-0 deficit, and they never looked back after Simaima Taufa’s try helped level the scores midway through the first half.
“I’m so proud, I’m so proud of my mates, everyone killed it,”Kelly said post-match.
“Every single person knew their role, every single person had confidence in the coach, and believed in themselves.
“If you believe in yourself crazy things can happen, and I think we showcased that tonight.”
“We showcased how the Blues play."
NSW did well to recover the opening kick when Jayme Fressard tapped back in for Abbi Church.
The next time Queensland found themselves on the attack, an Aiken grubber forced a knock-on. But at the end of the ensuing set the video referee awarded a try to the visitors after a failed grounding, with Lauren Brown converting to lead 6-0.
The Blues’ first attack in good-ball territory came when veteran back-rower Kezie Apps forced a mistake from Tamika Upton off a 20-metre restart. The home side later earned a repeat set courtesy of a well-placed grubber from Jesse Southwell.
It was Southwell’s first of four forced drop-outs for the evening in what was one of her best performances in a NSW jersey.
“She’s thrived in this arena,” Kelly explained.
“She’s loved being part of the team this year and I think when that happens you see how she plays and she steers us around so well.
“Her future is so bright and I think this is only just the start for her.”
Although NSW turned over possession from that restart, a strong defensive set had them back within scoring range in no time. The Blues capitalised in the 16th minute when eventual Player of the Match, Olivia Kernick, came up with a pinpoint short ball for a barnstorming Simaima Taufa to power over the try-line. Southwell slotted the conversion to tie things up at 6-6.
The goal-line defence of NSW was required to stand strong again just a few minutes later and it was Southwell who regained possession for the hosts. After trading sets the Maroons produced an error in their own end to put the Blues back in premium attacking range.
Only minutes from half-time, Kernick had Queensland in two minds when the NSW lock decided to take on the line, muscling through a handful of would-be tackles for the second Blues try. Southwell again converted to go into the break 12-6 ahead.
Bench forward Sarah Togatuki was injected into the action to begin the second half and made her presence known directly from kick-off with a hit-up just past the 30m line.
It eventually led them into great field position before another forced drop-out from the boot of Southwell. NSW followed up moments after, going quickly through the hands for Jayme Fressard in the left corner to give the Blues a 16-6 buffer at the 38-minute mark.
The Blues Women pushed further in front in the 45th minute when they shifted right from about halfway. It left winger Jaime Chapman one-on-one with Upton as she shimmied pastand, despite a last-ditch ankle tap, held on to score for a 20-6 lead.
Although the Maroons made their best efforts to try and lessen the margin it was the Blues who kept up their high-intensity defence, simply not allowing Queensland to find a reprieve.
Upon defusing a kick in the 55th minute, Chapman was then forced from the field with a leg injury.
NSW still didn’t let up even as a Game Two win became more likely, with several blue jerseys racing down the right touchline to force a drop-out with 10 minutes remaining. Then as the rain started to pour, the ever-present Kernick was on the spot to crash over under the posts for her second four-pointer of the night, helping her side to an unassailable 26-6 lead.
In the final minutes the Westpac NSW Blues Women continued to apply pressure with every opportunity, going on to secure the win and reclaim the shield in dominant fashion, for the first time since 2022.
John Strange’s side will now head to Newcastle in two weeks aiming for a 3-0 series win on home soil.
