NSW Blues announce squad for first State of Origin women’s match, Queensland Maroons squad, Jaime Chapman, Ali Brigginshaw

The NSW Blues have named two debutants in a strong squad for the State of Origin Women’s Origin opener against Queensland on May 16.

Teenage half Jesse Southwell was dropped from the Blues squad in a brutal decision.

“Westpac NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder has named two debutants in a 20-player squad for the first match of the 2024 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, May 16,” the Blues said in a statement. a statement.

The opening match kicks off a historic year for Origin women, who move to a three-game series for the first time since the annual interstate clash arrived under the Origin banner in 2018.

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Newcastle Knights hooker Olivia Higgins, who has been named in the starting squad, and Canberra Raiders prop Grace Kemp, who has been named on the bench, will make their debuts.

The expanded squad also includes uncapped Jakiya Whitfeld and Ellie Johnston and Kirra Dibb, who represented the Sky Blues in 2019 and 2022.

Eight NRLW clubs are represented with the Sydney Roosters having the most with six players.

“Experienced campaigners Kezie Apps (11 games for NSW) and Isabelle Kelly (10) will again lead the team as co-captains, while the experienced Corban Baxter returns as five-eighth.

Former Jillaroos Ruan Sims and Sam Bremner have been named Hilder’s assistant coaches.

NSW will attempt to regain the Queensland Origin Shield won on aggregate points in 2023 after the two-game series ended 1-1. The second match will be played in Newcastle on Thursday 6 June and the third match in Townsville on Thursday 27 June.

The Origin women’s honor roll is currently tied at 3. NSW won the Shield in 2018-19 and 2022, and Queensland in 2020, 2021 and 2023.

WESTPAC NSW SKY BLUE

First match, Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, Thursday 16 May

1. Emma Tonegato (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

2. Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)

3. Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters)

4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)

5. Tiana Penitani (Cronulla-Sutherland sharks)

6. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters)

7. Rachael Pearson (Parramatta Eels)

8. Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)

9. Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights)

10. Caitlan Johnston (Newcastle Knights)

11. Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights)

12. Kezie Apps (Western Tigers)

13. Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters)

14. Taliah Fuimaono (Gold Coast Titans)

15. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)

16. Grace Kemp (Canberra Raiders)

17. Sarah Togatuki (Tigers of the West)

18. Jakiya Whitfeld (Northern Queensland Cowboys)

19. Kirra Dibb (Northern Queensland Cowboys)

20. Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Coach:Kylie Hilder

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Queensland named its team last week for the series opener.

“Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons head coach Tahnee Norris has today announced her squad for the historic opening match of the first three-match women’s State of Origin series,” the QRL said in a statement.

The team includes 16 players who took the field during the two-match series against the New South Wales Sky Blues last year.

Burleigh Bears utility Lauren Brown has also returned to maroon colors for the first time since 2022, while Sienna Lofipo, Skyla Adams and Makenzie Weale are now a step closer to making their Origin debuts after being selected in the expanded team.

Lofipo and Adams were members of the Queensland Under 19 team that beat NSW last year, while Norths Devils talent Weale is knocking on the door again.

“Their selection shows the strength of the BMD Premiership and our representative pathways, and these girls now have the opportunity to move up to the Maroons senior team,” Norris said.

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“I am very satisfied with the situation we are in as a group. We have some players who are not available due to injury, but otherwise we have been left with a winning combination.”

The Maroons will gather on the Gold Coast today for a short camp, before reconvening in Brisbane on Friday week to step up preparations for the May 16 opener at Suncorp Stadium.

“It’s a very special event for our players,” Norris said of the Game I matchup.

“They don’t play at Suncorp Stadium very often, so to play Origin Game I in the first three-game series is exciting.”

Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons Team

Skyla Adams South Logan Magpies

Tarryn Aiken Tweed Seagulls

Emily Bass Wynnum Manly Gulls

Ali Brigginshaw Western Clydesdales

Destiny Brill Souths Logan Magpies

Lauren Brown Burleigh Bears

Shenae Ciesiolka Western Clydesdales

Jessika Elliston Tweed Seagulls

Sophie Holyman Burleigh Bears

Keilee Joseph Souths Logan Magpies

Sienna Lofipo Wynnum Manly Gulls

Emma Manzelmann Mackay Cutters

Shannon Mato Brisbane Tigers

Evania Pelite South Logan Magpies

Tazmin Rapana Burleigh Bears

Julia Robinson Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Romy Teitzel Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Zahara Temara Burleigh Bears

Tamika Upton Central Queensland Capras

Makenzie Weale Devils of the North