WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE
Women's State of Origin preview
Author
Alicia Newton NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Sun 16 Jun 2019, 05:15 PM
NSW and Queensland meet for the second time in women's Holden State of Origin history ready to replicate the high quality that lit up North Sydney Oval just under 12 months ago.
Same night, same venue, same time, same way.
But what about the same result? Queensland are sure to have something to say about that.
While last year's clash was dubbed history-making and a reason to celebrate the women's game with an inaugural stand-alone fixture under the Origin banner, one side walked away from North Sydney Oval feeling bittersweet about the occasion.
The
Blues got the 16-10 victory to take home the shield in front of 6824 people with a late try to Golden Boot recipient Isabelle Kelly.
This year's clash will see 15 players make their official State of Origin debuts across both states.
NSW have only eight players returning from their victorious side last year, while Queensland will field six fresh faces.
NSW welcome new coach Andrew Patmore to the fold and he has brought a fresh approach, overlooking veteran forwards Elianna Walton and Bec Young for the clash. Kylie Hilder, 43, is the exception after being picked at hooker.
The Blues have opted for an inexperienced side that hasn't been helped with the losses of Sam Bremner, Taleena Simon and Nakia Davis-Welsh to pregnancies.
For Queensland, most of their core players remain from last year's clash with Ali Brigginshaw set to partner new but experienced playmaker Jenni-Sue Hoepper in the halves.
The clash could be the final for Maroons stalwarts Stephanie Hancock and Heather Ballinger before they hang up the boots, although it's understood only a successful result will make their future decisions a lot easier.
Coached by Jason Hetherington, the Maroons won't be short of passion and purpose but will it be enough to take the shield back to the sunshine state?
The Rundown
Key match-up
Isabelle Kelly v Stephanie Mooka
The final make-up of the Queensland side is yet to be confirmed but given the Maroons' woes on the right edge, it wouldn't surprise to see Cairns product Stephanie Mooka be handed the task of marking strike centre Isabelle Kelly. Last year's Nellie Doherty Medallist for best player on the field, Kelly looms as the danger for Queensland given her two-try heroics last season. Kelly also churned out 126 metres and played a hand in the Blues' other try to make her mark as the best rugby league player in the world last year. Mooka is a tall and rangy AFL convert who possesses speed and size. If she can contain Kelly it will go a long way to a Maroons victory.
For the Blues to win
They'll need to weather the Queensland storm early, a task they managed to do in last year's clash before scoring the opening try. The Maroons will have their tails up early on and try to utilise the size of starting front-rowers Steph Hancock and Heather Ballinger. NSW dominated the metres gain column for prop's last season with the help of Simaima Taufa, who made 182 metres alone. Compare that with Queensland's overall total of 120 and that's where the Blues have an edge. NSW's other major strength is around their fitness and on-field combinations. The left edge consists of predominantly NSW Country representatives that have played plenty of games at club level together, while their right side played for NSW City.
For the Maroons to win
A fast start would be ideal in enemy territory given NSW are likely to have enough strike late in the contest. Queensland possess a much more experienced and dominant spine so their combinations have already played in some big matches. Maroons hooker Brittany Breayley will need to have more of a say around the ruck alongside Ali Brigginshaw and make the Blues second-guess themselves in defence. If the Maroons can skip out to a strong lead going into half-time it should hold them in good stead to go on to victory. Not much split the teams in last season's maiden clash but a 69% completion rate in the second half proved the Maroons' downfall.
Stat Attack
Two areas are worth noting for the upcoming clash in comparing the side's efforts last season. NSW managed 14 one-on-one tackles compared to Queensland's two, while the Maroons threw dummy passes on 36 occasions across their sets with the Blues totalling just 15. Queensland weren't as slick in their backline movements but still managed six offloads to one, indicating second-phase play is in them and something both sides should rely a lot more heavily on.
And another thing ...
The game will be played in 30-minute halves as per the format last year. A total of eight interchanges per side can be used. Head Injury Assessments will also apply.
Oh, and one last thing ...
If you're heading along to North Sydney Oval be sure to attend early with the first-ever women's under 18's clash between NSW and Queensland set to be played as a curtain raiser to the main event. Kick-off is at 5.45pm.
NSW: 1 Corban McGregor, 2 Jessica Sergis, 3 Tiana Penitani, 4 Isabelle Kelly, 5 Shakiah Tungai, 6 Kirra Dibb, 7 Maddie Studdon, 8 Simaima Taufa, 9 Kylie Hilder, 10 Vanessa Foliaki, 11 Shontelle Stowers, 12 Kezie Apps, 13 Hannah Southwell, 14 Botille Vette-Welsh, 15 Holli Wheeler, 16 Takilele Katoa, 17 Millie Boyle, 18 Shaylee Bent
Queensland: Chelsea Baker, Heather Ballinger, Annette Brander, Brittany Breayley, Ali Brigginshaw, Karina Brown, Jessika Elliston, Tazmin Gray, Stephanie Hancock, Tallisha Harden, Jennie-Sue Hoepper, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Stephanie Mooka, Rona Peters, Amber Pilley, Elle Stitt, Amy Turner, Meg Ward
https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/06/17/womens-state-of-origin-preview/
James Coman
