{"id":425177,"date":"2026-05-13T06:52:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T06:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/425177\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T06:52:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T06:52:08","slug":"state-of-origin-womens-state-of-origin-nrlw-season-2026-game-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/425177\/","title":{"rendered":"State of Origin, Women’s State of Origin, NRLW, season 2026, Game Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

After breaking their Newcastle hoodoo with a hard-fought victory over Queensland in the opening game of the series, the Westpac NSW Blues are aiming to wrap up the series at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n

The Blues prevailed 11-6 in a close and record-breaking Game One, where the result was in the balance until the final moments. Jesse Southwell kicked a field goal to put her side in front, before a Jess Sergis try just before the siren added the bonus points.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Maroons however will be hoping to break a hoodoo of their own having not won at Suncorp Stadium under the State of Origin banner.<\/p>\n

Skipper Tamika Upton and her team will be taking inspiration however from past pioneering Queensland teams who were able to find success at the venue during the Interstate Challenge era.<\/p>\n

Both teams come into the match that will kick off a big few days of Magic Round with settled line-ups, with injury-forced changes in both teams.<\/p>\n

M\u0101ori All Stars and Jillaroos forward Rima Butler come into the 17 for the Blues for her State of Origin debut in place of Tiana Penitani Gray (knee), with Maroons coach Nathan Cross recalling Indigenous All Stars representative Jasmine Peters for the injured Phoenix-Rain Hippi, who suffered a hamstring injury in her Game One debut.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Game Three also being played in Queensland at the Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium, John Strange and his team will be hoping they can silence the home crowd.<\/p>\n

This season, the Women\u2019s State of Origin will be played under virtually unchanged rules from 2025<\/a>, with four players on the bench and no set re-starts.<\/p>\n

Late Mail<\/p>\n

Maroons: A hamstring injury to Game One debutant Phoenix-Rain Hippi has seen Maroons coach Nathan Cross call in versatile North Queensland back Jasmine Peters on to the wing. Destiny Brill, who was 18th player in the last match but was brought into the action after Keilee Joseph and Makenzie Weale were ruled out of the series opener with head knock, has been elevated into the 17, with Emma Manzelmann moving to the reserves. Brianna Clark, who was a late withdrawal from Game One comes back onto the bench, with Chelsea Lenarduzzi shifting to the reserves, while Otesa Pule, who scored Queensland’s only try in Newcastle in her debut, will start. Raiders forward Sophie Holyman and Broncos recruit Lillian Yarrow have been called in to train with the squad while Joseph and Weale see out the 11-day stand-down concussion protocols.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Blues:\u00a0Tiana Penitani Gray, who played second row last game has been ruled out with a knee injury, with M\u0101ori All Stars and Jillaroos forward Rima Butler coming into the 17 by coach John Strange for her Origin debut. Kezie Apps moves from the bench to the starting side in the second row position. Hannah Southwell is the new face in the squad of 20.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stat Attack<\/p>\n

The Maroons\u2019 last four tries have been scored by forwards.
\nThe Blues have won both Women\u2019s Origin games played at Suncorp Stadium (2024 and 2025).
\nThe Maroons have been outscored 16 tries to seven in their last four games.
\nBlues centre Jess Sergis has scored three tries in her last four Origin games.
\nMaroons halfback Lauren Brown has a 90 percent goalkicking record in State of Origin (18 from 20).<\/p>\n

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,\u00a0author of the\u00a0official annual of the NRL.<\/a><\/p>\n

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