Fans divided in women’s State of Origin debate

Friday night’s women’s State of Origin match had fans on the edge of their seats, leading the rugby league community to debate a key issue.

The Maroons have now won back-to-back Origin games. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The product warrants it and the demand is there, but the jury is still out on whether women’s State of Origin should be increased to three games after the Maroons pipped the Sky Blues with a late penalty goal to retain the shield.

It’s an issue that gets raised every year, and while it seems like an obvious move for the women’s game, it’s a logistical improbability for a sport that still sees its top athletes juggle competition with their everyday lives.

New South Wales would love nothing more than to have a chance to square the series after they lost in enemy territory for the second year in a row, but the players and coaching staff concede that’s not feasible right now.

A three-game series is the ultimate goal, but with an expanded NRLW on the horizon, players can’t afford to walk away from their full-time jobs to spend months in rugby league when the salary doesn’t yet match their needs.

“After you lose, definitely,” NSW coach Kylie Hilder replied when asked about expanding the concept.

“Obviously three games would be wonderful, but as I keep saying, until our athletes are full-time athletes, it’s really impossible for these girls to play three Origins plus NRLW and then still having to have full-time jobs. Hopefully it’ll get there one day.”

Skipper Kezie Apps chimed in, saying players only had four weeks of holidays to cut through their hectic schedules.

There’s nothing they can do this year, but attention is already shifting towards 2022, with calls from fans south of the border to have the game played in Sydney.

The past two matches have been well supported on the Sunshine Coast, but it’s only fair for Origin to return to NSW where fans turned up in droves to watch the Sky Blues win in 2018 and 2019 at North Sydney Oval.

Queensland coach Tahnee Norris isn’t scared of defending the title in enemy territory, saying “bring it on” when asked on Friday night, while skipper Ali Brigginshaw lit the fuse with a cheeky “back to back to back” comment to end the press conference.

Peters has also appeared for the Maori All Stars at representative level. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Rona runs riot

She’s got a name that strikes fear into everyone at the moment, but on Friday night, Rona Peters left the Sky Blues feeling sick and sorry after she overcame an injury to inspire the Maroons to a thrilling 8-6 win.

The veteran was in doubt all week for the women’s State of Origin blockbuster but came off the bench to earn her sixth Queensland cap.

She only had two runs in 16 minutes, but her ferocious shots in defence and passionate celebrations fired up her teammates and showed why she’s such an integral member of the side.

“I think Rona Peters showed the real (meaning of) leading the way,” skipper Ali Brigginshaw said.

“She stood up. She had a job to do, and that was to make them feel the hits. Off the back of her, we felt something and we found it.”

The fact she was able to play told Tahnee Norris everything she needed to know before a ball was even kicked.

“In the back of my mind, it was always on the cards,” the Queensland coach said of her potential return.

“She’s one of those players you can always rely on. She’s one of the toughest players you’ll ever play against. I knew she’d put her hand up and she put her head down in the training sessions.

“She was literally listed as the 19th player, and what she produced throughout the whole week, I knew she could actually stand up tonight. It was well worth it.”

Peters earned the plaudits, but in true Queensland fashion, a rookie stepped up to ensure the success continues long into the future.

Destiny Brill was superb in the No. 9 jersey, finishing the contest with 72 metres, 26 tackles and Queensland’s first try with a burrowing effort from dummy-half.

Her destiny is in her own hands after the brilliant debut, and her coach is excited about what she will produce in the future.

“What a player in the making. We actually had money on the fact she was going to score a try,” Norris said after the game.

“She’s a standout player and she’s only 18 years of age. She’s got a massive future in our game. It’s so good to see a kid that young on the big stage be so confident. I couldn’t be prouder. She was so good.”

Originally published as Fans divided in women’s State of Origin debate