The 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series kicks off in rugby league heartland in Newcastle with the Westpac NSW Blues looking to defend the shield after last year’s 2-1 triumph.
The Blues also have some unfinished business in Newcastle after letting a clean sweep slip through their fingers in Game Three last year, the Maroons restoring pride with an 18-14 victory.
Under the guidance of rookie coach Nathan Cross the Maroons enter the series with a new-look side that includes Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Lauren Brown in the halves and Titans wing sensation Phoenix-Raine Hippi.
With Game One so pivotal to the entire series this promises to be an epic contest and you can follow all the action on NRL.com’s live blog.
NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons at McDonald Jones Stadium
Breaking: Jillaroos secondrower Keilee Joseph has come from the field in a blow for the Maroons, who have already lost prop Mackenzie Weale and only had two forwards on the bench.
Second half underway: The Blues have come out fired up in defence after the break.
Halftime summary: The stats are even and there has only been one try scored but the opening 35 minutes had all the hallmarks of a Queensland ambush. Despite losing prop Mackenzie Weale in the opening tackle, the Maroons enjoyed better field position through the boot of rookie halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu, whose spiral bombs caused NSW fullback Abbi Church all sorts of problems. The humidity is high and each team has committed three errors apiece. With players enduring their first match of the season, Queensland may struggle more with fatigue as they have just one running forward remaining on the bench after the loss of Weale.
Berry on the bench: Both coaches have gone to their benches with Apps, Kennedy Cherrington and Olivia Higgins on for the Blues and Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Shenae Ciesiolka and Emma Manzelmann into the fray for the Maroons. Blues strike weapon Teagan Berry is the only interchange player yet to be used.
25 min: A trysaving tackle by Tamika Upton on a runaway Jaime Chapman.
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Chapman in space
20 min: Jillaroos captain Kezie Apps is on for NSW, replacing Elliott in the frontrow.
Breaking: Weale has been ruled out with a Category 1 HIA. She could be available for Origin II in two weeks under the NRL’s mandatory 11-day standown for head knocks.
7 min: The Blues are in a good attacking position after back-to-back penalties.
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Southwell gets the radar going
Kiwi power: Pule is a beneficiary of the new Origin rules enabling NSW and Queensland eligible players from New Zealand and England to play Origin.
3 min: Otesa Pule has charged over for the opening try of the series after NSW fullback Abbi Church put down a Chantay Kiria-Ratu bomb. Brown converts. Maroons 6-0
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Otesa Pule Try
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A Kiria-Ratu bomb causes early problems
Kick off: We are underway and Mackenzie Weale has come off worse for wear from the opening tackle. She has gone off for HIA. Otesa Pule is on.
Mackenzie Weale is met by the Blues defence from the kick off.
©Anthony Kourembanas/NRL Photos
Weather: It’s the first time Origin has been played in Newcastle when it hasn’t been raining.
Stat attack: NSW have never won at Blue Castle – losing Game III in 2025 and Game II in 2024 after a Lauren Brown field goal.
Mum’s the word: Millie Elliott will play her first game since the 2024 Pacific Cup final after missing last season while pregnant.
New era for Queensland: The Maroons will not have Ali Brigginshaw in their side for the first time in a decade after her Origin retirement. New coach Nathan Cross has picked some fresh faces.
Homecoming queen: How will Newcastle fans react to NSW halfback Jesse Southwell in her first match since quitting the Knights for the Broncos at the end of last season?
Late Mail
NSW: The Blues line up 1-17 with no late changes. Corban Baxter is the reserve and Rima Butler is the last player to drop out of the squad an hour before kick-off. Coach John Strange has selected 14 players from the team which claimed last year’s Ampol Women’s State of Origin series in his squad to face Queensland in the series opener. The new faces include debutant Teagan Berry, who has been named on the bench, and former Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott, who returns after having a baby.
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The Blues line-up for Game 1
Maroons: No further changes an hour before kick-off after debutante Ivania Lolesio came into the starting side on Wednesday and Shenae Ciesiolka shifted to the bench. Brianna Clark dropped out as a result. “Mini (Lolesio) coming into the starting role, we thought that was best for us at the moment balance-wise, with her and Phoenix (Raine Hippi) having played footy together,” Maroons assistant coach Ty Williams said. “Shenae gives up a bit of coverage and also options as well of where we need to put her, wing, centre and potentially can fill in at fullback as well, so the versatility piece was important for us.” Destiny Brill is the reserve.
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The Maroons line-up for Game 1
Numbers Game
In their 2025 series win, the Blues outscored the Maroons 72-36.
The Blues’ line-up includes seven Sydney Roosters players.
The Maroons line-up of 17 includes three uncapped State of Origin players.
The Blues have played 122 Origin games compared to the Maroons’ 91.
The Maroons have won both Origin matches at McDonald Jones Stadium.