Blues defence seals back-to-back series wins
The Westpac NSW Blues have retained the Ampol Women’s State of Origin Shield after a thrilling 14-10 victory over the Queensland Maroons in Game Two at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
The Blues intensity was persistent in the opening half, setting the tone early in attack and defence. A seventh-minute try handed the Blues an early advantage, but Queensland refused to fade, responding strongly to keep themselves within striking distance as the Blues took a narrow 8-6 lead into the break.
Living up to the State of Origin reputation, the second half was anyone’s game. The Maroons threw everything at the Blues in the closing stages, but NSW held firm with a last-ditch defensive stand to secure back-to-back series victories.
“It was a very special game, and I am glad we got it done,” Player of the Match Jesse Southwell said post-game.
“I think we want to redeem ourselves from last year and sweep the series.
“We are really looking forward to Game Three.”
The Maroons' ill-discipline handed the Blues prime early field position conceding penalties in consecutive sets to invite pressure. When the Maroons finally regained possession, an error from Julia Robinson compounded their troubles, allowing the Blues to pack a scrum just 10 metres out. Exploiting the short side, centre Jessica Sergis attacked the defensive line before releasing winger Jaime Chapman, who finished brilliantly in the corner to open the scoring. The conversion drifted wide, leaving NSW with a 4-0 lead.
The Blues continued their strong start to the second half, with a successful Captain’s Challenge helping to pile further pressure on the Maroons through repeat attacking sets. No. 9 Keeley Nizza, who had started the match on the bench, made an immediate impact after entering the contest. Spotting an opening from dummy-half in the 22nd minute, Nizza darted over from close range to extend the Blues' lead to 8-0.
Eventually finding a way through the resilient NSW defensive line, the Maroons earnt consecutive sets deep in attacking territory. Maroons captain Tamika Upton looked threatening around the ruck as she searched for points before the break, and a clever short-side play proved successful. Upton fired a pass to centre Rory Owen, whose power and speed from close range carried her over the line. Lauren Brown converted to reduce the margin to 8-6 heading into half-time.
Returning to the field in the second half, the Maroons were first to cross. A penalty ruled against the Blues for a crusher tackle saw the Maroons take an opportunity to snatch the lead. From dummy-half, it was Jada Ferguson who produced a dummy pass before diving for the line and muscling the ball down. Unable to add the extras the Maroons led for the first time 10-8.
Just three minutes later, the lead was snatched back by the Blues.
Building pressure through the middle throughout the set saw them climb their way upfield, before halves Jocelyn Kelleher and Southwell combined to get an early ball out to Sergis who powered her way to the try-line. Southwell slotted the conversion from the sideline as the Blues returned to a four-point lead.
As the clock wound down and Queensland’s hopes of forcing a 2026 series decider hung in the balance, the Blues produced two desperate try-saving efforts through Southwell and Teagan Berry, denying the Maroons in dramatic fashion.
The Maroons threw everything they had into the dying moments and appeared to have snatched a match-levelling try when Jasmine Peters crossed in the corner to tie the game up at 14-all. However, after a Bunker review Berry was ruled to have forced Peters into touch before grounding the ball, sealing back-to-back series wins for the Westpac NSW Blues Women in extraordinary scenes.
“I was stressing big time when Peters went for the corner in the final minute, but it’s full credit to all the girls,” Southwell said.
“The culture that we’ve built means every single player, from one to 20, will do anything to win and anything for each other.
“Far out, that was so good – that was so cool.”
