Women’s State of Origin Game 2 2024: All the Queensland and NSW news and updates

It’s her NRLW home ground, but NSW plan to spoil the party for the game’s best player and Queensland superstar, Tamika Upton. See the blueprint.

Zahara Temara has been axed by the Maroons for State of Origin Game II. Picture: NRL Imagery

It’s her home ground, but NSW plan to spoil the party for the game’s best player, Tamika Upton.

The Newcastle fullback will make her return in a Queensland jersey on Thursday night as the Maroons desperately attempt to save the women’s State of Origin series in game two at McDonald Jones Stadium.

A record crowd is expected to fill the stands - most of whom would usually cheer for their two-time premiership winning fullback.

But the Sky Blues plan to flip the script this time.

The plan is simple, because it worked in game one for a shock 22-12 win at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago.

Limit her opportunities, don’t hand over the ball easily, and defend like hell.

“I don’t think we have to change too much, I think we just worry about ourselves … they’ve got threats across the field. It wasn’t just Tamika,” said Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder on day one of NSW camp on Thursday.

A dejected Tamika Upton after Game I.

“Emma Manzelmann when she came on at No.9 added a bit of spark, with a few changes we look at them and make sure we know what they offer.”

Upton, the reigning Dally M Medallist, was kept quiet by her own standards in game one until late in the first half when she helped stage a scare.

She ran for 102 metres, well down on her 175 running metres average from last NRLW season with the Knights, as well as one try, four tackle breaks, one line-break and no other try involvements.

Unlikely to have two quiet games in a row, Upton will be key for the Sky Blues to shut down next Thursday night, while a switch up in the halves could also spark the Maroons.

In reaction to the loss Jillaroos halfback Ali Brigginshaw has been named at No.7, moved in from lock in place of Zahara Temara, who has been dropped for game two.

“They do have some threats right across the field. Now that Ali’s back, you’ve got to look at that, Lauren Brown in the centres, there’s a few there,” Hilder said.

“Queensland have made some changes, they’re going to be a lot better and ready for what we’ll bring them at Newcastle, so we know it’s going to be another battle, which Origin is, so we can’t wait.

“Ali’s been in the Jillaroos halves for many, many years, I think a half is her position, so that’s going to add an extra threat to the Queensland side, we’re well aware of the changes they’d made.

“(But I’m) always big on what we can control and what we do.”

NSW are unchanged from their game one winning side.

They head to Newcastle this week to set up camp ahead of what is expected to be a sold out spectacle on June 6.

MAROONS DUMP STAR

Queensland No.7 Zahara Temara has been axed in a desperate bid to save the women’s State of Origin series in Newcastle next Thursday night.

The Raiders halfback had a disappointing night in Queensland’s 22-12 loss in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago, with coach Tahnee Norris making the cut in her squad announcement on Wednesday.

Temara, who missed five tackles and made two errors in the game one shock, has been named at 18th player with skipper Ali Brigginshaw the halfback replacement.

The Queensland captain too had an off night at lock, but has been given the chance to make amends at halfback with the series on the line.

Zahara Temara has been axed by the Maroons for State of Origin Game II. Picture: NRL Imagery

Gold Coast teen Sienna Lofipo has been named at No.13 to make her Origin debut, while fellow rookie Emmanita Paki has been named on the bench.

Aside from Temara, winger Emily Bass is the only other player missing from the opener after suffering a shoulder injury.

The Titans star was pushing to play, but her absence has caused a shuffle in the backline, with Lauren Brown moving into the centres pushing Evania Pelite to the wing.

Rising Broncos five-eighth Skyla Adams has also been named in the extended squad, as well as Keilee Joseph, who was forced out of game one with a knee injury.

The squad announcement comes as both states prepare to head into camp this week.

NSW have named an unchanged line-up and head into game two with the chance to win the series on home soil, in front of what is expected to be a record, sold out crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on June 6.