Ten years ago, the NSW Women’s side walked onto Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast for the annual Interstate Challenge carrying the weight of a 17-year drought on their shoulders. They walked out of enemy territory as history-makers.
Tonight, the Westpac NSW Blues Women return to the Gold Coast venue for the first time since that unforgettable 2016 clash. This time, they arrive with the Ampol Women’s State of Origin shield already secured and the chance to complete a historic 3-0 series sweep over Queensland.
For former Blues Maddie Studdon and Jasmin Allende, the parallels are impossible to ignore.
“It is a full circle,” Studdon said.
“It will be pretty cool seeing the girls lift the Shield where we did it.”
The pair reunited with members of the drought-breaking 2016 side at the Westpac NSW Blues team launch ahead of the 2026 series, commemorating a decade since the victory that shifted the trajectory of women’s Rugby League in New South Wales.
Westpac NSW Blues Women captain Isabelle Kelly, and 2026 squad members Kezie Apps and Corban Baxter were all part of that team captained by Ruan Sims, who now holds an assistant coaching role with the Blues Women’s team.
“It was a proud moment breaking that drought,” Studdon said.
“We had been playing that Interstate Challenge for a few years, and we were always getting flogged by Queensland.
“Then, to beat them on their own soil, it was a massive moment for us, and it goes down in history.
“Right at the end, we couldn’t believe we just did it.”
10 years on, the memories remain vivid.
“I just remember Jennifer Latu, she had her crutches in the air and was cheering from the sideline,” Allende recalled.
“Some of us were on the bench as the siren went and pretty much all just waiting to run on and get out there with the girls.”
That victory did not come easy. It was built on grit, trust and an unshakable belief that the Blues could finally topple Queensland’s dynasty.
“It was one of those games where you felt you were just grinding all game,” Allende said.
“You knew you were going on to grind and that was ultimately what it was. Just withstanding that pressure and keeping at it.”
A decade later, the women’s game looks vastly different. Three-game Origin series, professional environments and packed stadiums were once unimaginable realities for the players who helped lay the foundation.
“It is amazing to see,” Allende said.
“Even just as little as wearing blazers to the team launch and all the different things that are coming along with it are so good to see.
“It has come a long way and I’m glad that we are somewhat a part of that.”
Studdon believes tonight’s Westpac NSW Blues Women’s side carries the same pride and spirt as the team that changed history in 2016.
“I am just so proud,” she said.
“They wear that jersey with pride.”
As the Blues prepare to run out onto the very ground where it all began 10 years ago, there is a sense history may be repeating itself.
“I think this is such a cool full circle moment,” Allende said.
“Knowing that they will be lifting the Shield where we lifted it 10 years ago, and seeing how much the game has grown because of moments like that.”
