Queensland hunt dual Origin titles following women’s victory

The Queensland women claimed their first victory in the State of Origin arena and now they will throw their full support behind the men’s team ahead of Wednesday’s decider.

Queensland is chasing its second State of Origin title in just five days, after the women’s team set a precedent for the men last week.

The Maroons women claimed their first victory in the Origin arena with a stunning 24-18 win over NSW at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night.

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And as the men prepare for a decider showdown with the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, retiring women’s forward Steph Hancock says a Maroons double would “top it all off”.

Hancock – whose father Rohan played in the original Origin match 40 years ago – scored a try to guide her own team to victory and then announced her representative retirement after the game.

Retiring QLD women's forward Steph Hancock at home with fiancee Monique Lovett and their daughter Manaia Lovett, 12. Picture: Richard Gosling

The passionate Queenslander said all the women will now throw their full support behind coach Wayne Bennett and his men in the hope of seeing complete Origin domination.

“How good would it be to see Wayne and the boys win the third game,” the 38-year-old said.

“For Queensland to get the double, that would top it all off.

“I’ve never missed a game and I won’t be missing this one either.”

Hancock said she was hoping the women might get to do a lap of honour prior to kick off in Game Three, but there were concerns COVID-19 restrictions would limit that opportunity.

She said if that doesn’t happen, she will be watching the game from The Plough Inn.

Hancock returned home to Ipswich from the Sunshine Coast yesterday and said she was still soaking up her own team’s victory.

“I am very sore but the winning feeling takes over all of that stuff,” she said.

“I’m bloody happy. I’m a little bit sad because it’s done. But to win and score a meat pie in my last one, at home in front of my beautiful fiancee (Monique), my mum and dad, and all my friends, there was nothing better.”