Lauren Brown and rookie Chantay Kiria-Ratu have been tasked with leading Queensland into the future as the Maroons begin life without the legendary Ali Brigginshaw calling the shots.
Brigginshaw was an imposing presence in the halves for Queensland, but her retirement from the State of Origin arena and a serious knee injury to superstar Tarryn Aiken forced new Maroons coach Nathan Cross to make some massive calls ahead of next week’s series opener in Newcastle.
Brown played halfback in last year’s third game and she’ll keep the No. 7 jersey having famously slotted a field goal in the wet back in 2024 to lead her side to victory.
The experienced Brown has done it all and will have to step it up a gear alongside Kiria-Ratu who played well for the Sharks last year in the NRLW but now faces the biggest test of her young career.
Queensland lost last year’s series and enter the 2026 campaign with Cross in charge after he replaced long-serving coach Tahnee Norris.
Phoenix-Raine Hippi will make her Origin debut on the wing, Otesa Pule will play her first game for Queensland off the bench, while Ivana Lolesio and Destiny Mino-Sinapati have been included in the extended squad as they look to win back the shield.
The Maroons will go into camp on Thursday, with superstar Broncos duo Tamika Upton and Julia Robinson looming as the biggest threats to a potential NSW dynasty.
Queensland squad for game one
1. Tamika Upton, 2. Julia Robinson, 3. Rory Owen, 4. Shenae Ciesiolka, 5. Phoenix-Raine Hippi, 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu,
7. Lauren Brown, 8. Makenzie Weale, 9. Jada Ferguson, 10. Jessika Elliston, 11. Sienna Lofipo, 12. Romy Teitzel, 13. Keilee Joseph, 14. Emma Manzelmann, 15. Otesa Pule, 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 17. Brianna Clark, 18. Ivana Lolesio, 19. Destiny Brill, 20. Destiny Mino-Sinapati
Originally published as Young talent time: Maroons name five rookies for women’s Origin opener as life begins without the legendary Ali Brigginshaw