Women’s State of Origin Game 1: Live scores, updates and analysis from Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues

She’s one of the NRLW’s elite athletes, but Tiana Penitani has just one game at five-eighth to her name — the position she’ll fill for NSW in the Origin series opener. It’s a bold move, but one that could shut down the Maroons entirely.

She’s played just one game of five-eighth across an illustrious career, but NSW coach John Strange has backed Tiana Penitani’s defensive mastery to shut down Queensland’s star playmakers in Thursday night’s State of Origin series opener.

The Cronulla captain and star centre was a surprise selection in the No.6 jersey beside Newcastle halfback Jesse Southwell, but ahead of Thursday night’s blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, Strange has spoken of her unique athleticism as key to the NSW attack.

One of the game’s elite athletes, Penitani has played just one game of five-eighth in her top grade career for the Jillaroos in a thunderous 84-0 win over PNG last year, as well as another at halfback for Tonga in 2023.

Her remaining 47 games across NRLW and representatives have been at centre or wing.

But that doesn’t mean that’s her best position, says Strange ahead of his first Origin game as NSW coach.

“I look at the qualities players bring, and if someone plays in a certain position in another team, for me that doesn’t mean that’s where they should be,” he said.

Tiana Penitani will step into the halves for the Blues. Picture: NRL Photos

“I have a style of play that suits how I want the girls to attack, so I’m looking at the qualities Tiana possesses, she’s very athletic, she’s got great skill in her passing, she’s a really strong runner and a great defender, so having her involved in defence, and having her hands on the ball, that’s a positive for me.

“I think she can play fullback as well. She’s a great centre, but she has the qualities to be a great fullback or five eighth, and I’ve spoken to her about that since day one.”

INSIDE KNOWLEDGE

With fullback Abbi Church on debut forming part of a brand new Blues spine, it will be an initiation of fire against Queensland’s established combination of Ali Brigginshaw and Tamika Upton as well as Tarryn Aiken, who won an NRLW premiership and the Karyn Murphy Medal with the Roosters under Strange last season.

All of that inside knowledge has helped the NSW defence prepare for anything Aiken can throw at them.

“Tamika and Tarryn, those two in particular, they can do freakish things,” Strange said.

“They’re two of the very best in the world. We’ve spoken about their team, we know those two are major threats.

Abbi Church is on debut for the Blues. Picture: NRL Photos

“But we’ve worked really hard on our defensive systems throughout this six-week training block and we’ve spoken about those two, and what other players like to do in different situations.

“I’ve also made it really clear that if we stick to our defensive systems, we’re going to shut them down. We can’t just focus on those two because there’s so many other quality players who can pull you apart.”

On the other side of the field, Maroons co-captain Upton played several seasons with Southwell at the Knights, winning two premierships together in 2022 and 2023.

“Obviously Ali (Brigginshaw) is someone who has been there for years and she’s very experienced and no doubt Jesse, she’s been prepping well,” Upton said of the halves match up.

The hearts of the Maroons: Tamika Upton and Ali Brigginshaw. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I’ve played a lot of footy with her and it’ll be good to see her back in that side, but I think Ali has done really well.

“It’s been very special to be able to co-captain with her and see the different side and see what she gets up to in the camps. It’s a lot of the extra work I probably didn’t see before.”

For the Maroons, Thursday night is about making amends after losing last year’s opener at Suncorp Stadium.

“We’re really pumped,” Upton said.

“We were pretty disappointed not to get the job done at Suncorp last year, we were all very disappointed in ourselves particularly because you watch a lot of footy at Suncorp and have been dreaming about that one. We’ve got a job to do tomorrow.”

LAYING DOWN THE LAW

No matter what happens on Thursday night, Strange has put the Blues on notice.

After back-to-back series losses, the Blues are desperate for success and he’s made it clear no one is guaranteed a jersey.

John Strange has put NSW players on notice after back-to-back series losses. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

It was one of the big criticisms of last year’s series that the 17 did not change across all three games.

“I’m not a coach who, if the team wins, you keep the same, but I also don’t believe if you lose you have to make changes,” he said.

“You can lose a game of footy and everyone has done everything you ask.

“For me it’s about every individual performing to the best ability in their role.

“If we win, even if it’s convincingly tomorrow night, I’ll look at every player’s performance. I’ve been really open to all the girls from the very start about that.”

Starting prop Ellie Johnston, who makes her long-awaited debut on Thursday night, is one such player who has forced her way into his side across a gruelling six-week training camp.

“She worked harder than everyone else” Strange said.

“She deserved to get in the extended squad based on how she played last year, she was awesome in the grand final for Cronulla, but then in this squad she went to another level and made it impossible for me to leave her out based on her attitude.

“That’s all I ask from all of these players.”

Originally published as Women’s State of Origin Game 1: Live scores, updates and analysis from Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues