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Women’s State of Origin Game 2: Queensland Maroons win 11-10 over NSW Sky Blues after late Lauren Brown field goal

The Queensland Maroons have completed a miracle comeback against the NSW Sky Blues, keeping the series alive and setting up a game three decider in Townsville.

Pamela Whaley and Wilson Smith
9 min read
June 6, 2024 - 10:49PM
Maroons hooker Lauren Brown kicked a late field goal to secure a one-point victory for Queensland, setting up a game three decider in Townsville. Picture: Getty Images
Maroons hooker Lauren Brown kicked a late field goal to secure a one-point victory for Queensland, setting up a game three decider in Townsville. Picture: Getty Images

Queensland have forced a State of Origin decider in Townsville in three weeks’ time after pulling off one of the greatest victories in women’s rugby league history.

Maroons utility Lauren Brown was the hero in the 11-10 win, nailing a field goal from 25 metres out in front of a record crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night.

The courageous performance has forced the first ever three-game women’s Origin series to a blockbuster decider at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on June 27.

Maroons hooker Lauren Brown kicked a late field goal to secure a one-point victory for Queensland, setting up a game three decider in Townsville. Picture: Getty Images
Maroons hooker Lauren Brown kicked a late field goal to secure a one-point victory for Queensland, setting up a game three decider in Townsville. Picture: Getty Images

“That was insane, that’s true Origin football. It’s so good for our game to play a game of footy like that for the crowd and for these girls to know what it takes to be a Queenslander and win games like that, I’m so proud of them,” said Maroons coach Tahnee Norris.

Giving the sellout crowd their money’s worth, the Maroons left their run late with tries to Tarryn Aiken and Shenae Ciesiolka in the second half levelling the scores at 10-all with just seven minutes to play before Brown stepped up in the biggest moment of the series to date.

It was an almighty upset following NSW’s 22-12 win at Suncorp Stadium on May 16, and capped off a double Maroons win in enemy territory on back-to-back nights.

“Knowing that our backs were against the wall after game one, no one probably gave us any hope at all, we were written off, which as Queenslanders, we didn’t like,” said captain Ali Brigginshaw.

“To go into the dressing sheds now and see he smiles on the girls faces and knowing they just played their first game of Origin is pretty cool.

“We knew we’d have 25,000 people against us and it was just up to us and we did it tonight.”

The Blues looked to have secured victory after Tiana Penitani scored with 10 minutes remaining, but it wasn’t to be. Picture: Getty Images
The Blues looked to have secured victory after Tiana Penitani scored with 10 minutes remaining, but it wasn’t to be. Picture: Getty Images

In pouring rain, 25,782 fans stayed until the end to make history for the sold out game, setting a new attendance record for a women’s rugby league match that was broken with a crowd of 25,492 at Suncorp Stadium just three weeks ago.

It wasn’t the packed house as expected, but they were treated anyway.

“I just love women’s rugby league, you never know what you’re going to see, you never know how it’s going to pan out, but we always seem to get the result and everyone wants to come and see the footy that we’re playing, so for both teams, we always put our bodies on the line and you saw that tonight and you’re going to see that in Townsville,” Brigginshaw said.

With 10 minutes to play it looked as though the Sky Blues had the game wrapped up when star centre Jess Sergis pulled off a one-on-one steal from Julia Robinson, which led to a try to Tiana Penitani a few plays later.

However, it wasn’t to be.

Sergis finished the game on one leg after copping a nasty cork, and was taken off the field for a HIA after copping a high shot from Keilee Joseph, who was placed on report.

Sergis is not expected to be in any doubt for the decider.

A moment involving Maroons prop Shannon Mato will also be looked at by the match review committee on Friday, after she was placed on report for pulling Blues forward Yasmin Clydsdale’s ponytail as she attempted a tackle.

Rachael Pearson slips taking a conversion and misses. The two points likely would have sealed victory in the series. Picture: NRL Imagery
Rachael Pearson slips taking a conversion and misses. The two points likely would have sealed victory in the series. Picture: NRL Imagery

RELIVE OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF ORIGIN II BELOW

FULL-TIME – MAROONS COMPLETE MIRACLE COMEBACK

The Queensland Maroons have fought back to keep the series alive, setting up a Game 3 decider in Townsville, coming from behind to kick a field goal in the dying minutes to steal victory from the Sky Blues.

‘That’s not a field goal, that’s a miracle,’ Phil Gould declared on commentary.

68TH MINUTE – MAROONS TAKE THE LEAD

Queensland hooker Lauren Brown has put Queensland in front with just under two minutes to go, kicking a field goal to put her side ahead by one point.

61ST MINUTE – WE HAVE A CONTEST HERE!

And not long after NSW extended their lead, the scores are locked up as the Maroons barged over for their second try of the game through star five-eighth Tarryn Aiken. We could be off to golden point if the scores stay the same with just under 7 minutes to go now.

58TH MINUTE – BLUES RETURN SERVE

And just after it seemed the Maroons had wrestled back control of this game, the Blues have hit back again to extend their lead, with winger Tiana Penitani going over in the corner. Rachael Pearson awkwardly slipped in attempting to take the conversion, so NSW lead by just 6 points with 10 minutes now remaining.

54TH MINUTE – MAROONS STRIKE

The Maroons are finally on the scoreboard, with halfback Ali Brigginshaw putting star centre Shenae Ciesiolka over in the right corner with a brilliant cut out pass. Lauren Brown however has missed the conversion so NSW continue to hold a slight lead with just over 14 minutes to go. Can the Sky Blues hold on?

The rain has really picked up here and completions will be key.

49TH MINUTE – MAROONS FIGHT BACK

They remain behind on the scoreboard but the Maroons are starting to wrestle back momentum here, with some interchange forwards starting to have an impact, as Queensland force repeat sets. NSW are holding on for now, but Queensland are really threatening to level the scores.

They have identified a weakness in the Sky Blues line, with both Jessica Sergis and Jamie Chapman battling leg injuries on the right edge.

41ST MINUTE – BLUE WALL

NSW continue to heap pressure on Queensland, with a blue wall of defence making it hard for the Maroons get into good field position.

The Blues have had two chances early in this half, with the lone tryscorer Keeley Davis going within centimetres of her second of the game after another scoot from dummy-half.

In some more good news for NSW Jess Sergis has passed her HIA, but is clearly carrying an ankle injury and is not running at 100%.

36TH MINUTE – SECOND HALF BEGINS

We’re back underway in Newcastle, and Queensland have just 35 minutes left to score some points to secure victory and keep the series alive. Can the Sky Blues hold on? Or will the Maroons be able to wrestle back momentum?

HALF-TIME – BLUES LEAD 6-0

The sold out Newcastle is being treated to a brilliant State of Origin clash in some tough conditions, with the Blues on top of the battle at the break. There hasn’t been a ton of points early, but it’s been a tough grind early on, with the Blues heaping pressure on early and forcing Queensland to make a lot more tackles, which could really come into play in the second half when fatigue sets in. The Maroons have been their own worst enemy so far, with ill-discipline giving NSW the better share of possession, while the Sky Blues really need to improve their completion rate and hold onto the ball to keep their small lead.

31ST MINUTE – MAROONS STAR AVOID SIN BIN FOR HIGH SHOT

While Joseph Suaalii was sent off for an ugly shot on Reece Walsh in the Men’s Origin, referee Belinda Sharpe has shown restraint tonight, with Keilee Joseph put on report for a high shot on Blues centre Jess Sergis, which saw her forced off the field for a HIA.

25TH MINUTE – SKY BLUES DRAW FIRST BLOOD

NSW coach Kylie Hilder’s decision to once again start Keeley Davis off the bench has proved a masterstroke, with the Sky Blues star having an immediate impact on the field, crashing over from dummy half to score the first try of the match.

Star NSW centre Jess Sergis got the Blues into great field position with a linebreak through the middle before finding backrower Kezie Aps to grab some extra metres, on the back of a penalty. The Maroons ill-discipline is starting to give the Blues an edge, an they just cant match the athleticism of NSW right now.

The Maroons came up short in their first attacking raid, only getting into the Blues 20-metre zone for the first time in the 22nd minute. They got close again in the 29th minute, but were denied by some desperate goal line defence from NSW.

20TH MINUTE – STILL NO POINTS

It looks like we’re in for a much lower scoring contest than Game 1 in Brisbane, with still no points after a quarter of the game gone. The Blues were already up 18-0 at this point in the first game.

The Maroons have thrown their challenge away already, with the bunker taking just one look at a knock-on decision before ruling against Queensland.

NSW are well on top at the moment, making metres with relative ease, but the Maroons have done well to hold them out so far.

16TH MINUTE – BLUES BLOW ANOTHER CHANCE

The Sky Blues are on top of the arm wrestle right now and are making metres much easier than the Maroons in this wet weather, but they cant capitalise on their field position. Rachael Pearson came up with another poor kick while aiming for winger Jamie Chapman, after a great offload from Caitlan Johnston put Emma Tonegato into space.

Maroons prop Shannon Mato was placed on report for an ugly hairpull on Yasmin Clydsdale in the 11th minute.

5TH MINUTE – BLUES BUILD PRESSURE

NSW have had the first opportunity of this game, after an inspirational run from star front rower Caitlan Johnston, followed up by Kezie Apps who broke the line and put the Blues into great field position. They came up short after a poor kick from Rachael Person, but just minutes later Game 1 hero Jamie Chapman threatened to go the length again after another great linebreak.

Johnston is also terrorising the Maroons with her defence, producing two bone rattling tackles in the first 10 minutes.

7:48PM – KICK-OFF

And we’re underway in Newcastle, just three minutes behind the scheduled start time. There’s a bit of rain about so it could down to a forward battle and the kicking game will be key.

And it looks like pretty much everyone in the sellout crowd has made it to the game, very few empty seats if any!

7:30PM – NOT LONG NOW + PREDICTION

Just 15 minutes to go until kick-off now, but who will win? Can the Blues wrap up the series in their home state? Or can the Maroons keep the series alive and set up a Game III decider in Townsville?

My prediction wasn’t too far off for Game 1 … it was Sky Blues to win 18-12 with Isabelle Kelly first tryscorer and Millie Elliott player of the match (actual result was Blues 22-12 with Emma Tonegato first try scorer and Yasmin Clydsdale player of the match).

Tonight I’ll stick to my guns and back the Blues 24-12, with Isabelle Kelly first tryscorer once again and halfback Racheal Pearson player of the match.

7:10PM – RECORD CROWD LOOMS

Fans are beginning to flock into McDonald Jones Stadium, with a record crowd expected at State of Origin II, with the 33,000 capacity stadium officially declared a sell out.

The attendance for Game 2 is expected to smash the attendance record set in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 16 of 25,492.

See the full story by Pamela Whaley

A record crowd Women's Origin is building at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Picture: NRL Imagery
A record crowd Women's Origin is building at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Picture: NRL Imagery

6:45PM – FINAL TEAMS

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Women’s State of Origin Game 2, Wilson Smith here signing on for another night of live Origin footy.

Can the Blues produce another barnstorming performance to claim a series victory in two games? Or will the new look Maroons side bounce back and upset NSW to keep the series alive?

The final teams are in and the Blues have made a late switch to their starting line-up, while the Maroons made a host of changes to their side on Wednesday night in a desperate bid to keep the series alive.

The Sky Blues have pulled a late switch, with lock Keeley Davis moving to the bench, with Oliviia Kernick into the starting side. NSW made the same move in the lead up to Game 1 with much success.

Maroons centre Lauren Brown has moved to hooker, Evania Pelite shifts from wing to centre, Destiny Brill moves from starting hooker to the bench and Emmanita Paki comes into the side at wing for her Origin debut.

Meanwhile star forward Keilee Joseph comes into the side on the bench, with Sophie Holyman dropping out of the 17.

Arguably the biggest change from Game 1 however, is captain Ali Brigginshaw starting at halfback in place of Zahara Temara, with Sienna Lofipo the new lock.

The Sky Blues on the other hand have named an unchanged squad from the side that won 22-12 in Game 1 at Suncorp.

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Originally published as Women’s State of Origin Game 2: Queensland Maroons win 11-10 over NSW Sky Blues after late Lauren Brown field goal

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