NSW claim 2-1 series win despite Game Three defeat

The Westpac NSW Blues Women have finished 2-1 victors in the 2025 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series, after an 18-14 loss to Queensland in the final minutes of Game Three at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.

With the Maroons scoring first points the Blues worked their way back to an 8-6 lead before the half-time break. NSW utility Jocelyn Kelleher put them 14-6 ahead, but the deficit wasn’t enough to keep Queensland from securing the win with Chelsea Lenarduzzi’s try in the 64th minute.

While disappointed with the narrow defeat, Blues fullback and Game One debutant Abbi Church put the series win into perspective.

“Obviously a bit of a disappointing end to Game Three, but we’ve still got to keep our spirits high,” Church said.

“We still get to the lift the shield.

“We would have liked to get that clean sweep but it wasn’t meant to be today.”

There were promising signs early when NSW shifted right from close range only to be stopped on two occasions. The first of those ended with a solid hit on Jessica Sergis, before Jaime Chapman was taken into touch while putting the ball down in the corner.

Five minutes into the contest Queensland looked to have opened the scoring when second-rower Sienna Lofipo placed a bouncing ball before going dead in-goal, but replays showed a hand was touching the line in the process.

The visitors came up trumps soon after when prop Makenzie Weale crashed over. Lauren Brown added the two points to lead 6-0.

The Maroons could have extended their lead further through Emily Bass if it wasn’t for the quick reaction of Blues fullback Abbi Church, who wrapped her arms around the Queensland centre and miraculously kept the ball from hitting the turf. That moment for Church was part of a strong performance at the back with 106 run metres, a forced drop-out and three kicks defused.

“It was unreal (playing for NSW), it was everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” she said.

“To be playing out here, alongside the calibre of athletes that are here, is just an incredible feeling. So I’m really lucky to have such a fantastic group of girls around me.”

NSW appeared to hit back in the 20th minute, but Isabelle Kelly failed to ground the ball resulting in a mutual infringement and play-the-ball for the Blues. But the hosts weren’t going to be denied moments later as Sergis skipped through to score on the right edge, reducing the margin to 6-4.

Another opportunity came for NSW when a Tarryn Aiken touch-finder went out on the full. That led to a repeat set after Blues winger Jayme Fressard forced a drop-out with a strong tackle.

Fressard was rewarded on the ensuing set when she found herself on the end of a brilliant cut-out pass from Jesse Southwell, crossing for her fourth try in three Origin appearances and giving her side an 8-6 lead.

The Blues finished the first half just shy of another four-pointer when they found space on the left, only for Kelly to be held up over the line as the siren sounded.

Despite the dry conditions, points remained at a premium to start the second half. The two sides went set for set trying to gain the upper hand with desperate defence on show at either end of the field.

In the 48th minute a gap finally opened up for the Blues to improve the margin. It was Kelleher who caught Queensland napping from dummy-half and scored beside the posts. Southwell converted for a 14-6 lead.

That eight-point buffer only lasted five minutes when back-rower Romy Teitzel crossed for the Maroons, then Brown followed up with the conversion to see the Maroons trail 14-12.

Entering the final 10 minutes NSW were in great attacking territory after forcing a turnover on the 30m line, but couldn’t put the finishing touches on the set as the ball skidded into touch.

With a chance for a 3-0 series win on the line, the Blues had to turn to their defence with a narrow lead. Queensland’s half-break was halted with a diving tackle attempt, but after several attacking raids they found the lead through experienced forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi. Brown’s conversion pushed the Maroons to an 18-14 lead.

As time ran out Southwell earned a crucial repeat set off the boot with just over a minute remaining. But it all came down to a chaotic last play which saw Queensland hang on for the win.

NSW lock and Game Two Player of the Match, Olivia Kernick, was awarded the Nellie Doherty Medal for Player of the Series. She finished Game Three with 79 run metres and 40 tackles.