Steph Hancock happy to leave Origin on a high, Brigginshaw backs rookies to blossom
Fresh from a courageous victory over NSW, Maroons veteran Steph Hancock has called time on her representative career.
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Maroons stalwart Steph Hancock has decided to hang up the boots from Origin football after spearheading Queensland to an epic victory over the Blues on the Sunshine Coast.
The 16-year veteran of women’s rugby league finished off her illustrious representative career in style during the Maroons 24 to 18 win, scoring a crucial try to help bring the women’s State of Origin shield north of the border for the first time.
After four years of heartbreak at the hands of New South Wales, Hancock was desperate to put Queensland back in the winner’s circle.
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Now having achieved that goal and helping guide through a new era of Maroons talent, the 38-year-old said it was time for her to hang up the boots.
“I’ll be happy to sit back now and watch,” Hancock said of the future of women’s Origin.
“I’m calling stumps on Origin.
“We’ll see what happens (with NRLW).”
Hancock made her Jillaroos debut back in 2003 before going on to play 48 representative games for both Queensland, Australia and the women’s All Stars.
She has also starred in all three seasons of the NRLW competition, playing for the Broncos and the Dragons.
Her decision to retire from Origin was made all the more easier after seeing through the next generation of Queensland talent.
“It’s been a few years (since beating New South Wales) … so to do it, especially back at home, I’m so happy our debutants got to experience what it’s like to win an Origin,” she said.
“It’s the best feeling.”
It comes as seven Queensland debutants helped steer the Maroons to an epic six point victory and the state’s first win under the new women’s Origin banner.
Fullback Tamika Upton and five-eighth Tarryn Aiken combined for an Origin masterclass which took advantage of a tiring Blues defence and seal the win for Queensland.
Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw said it was the beginning of a new era for the Maroons.
“It’s the start of something,” Brigginshaw said.
“We want to keep this team together.
“We had nine debutants (two of which didn’t take the field on Friday night) and a couple who were in their first year.
“We build from this.
“We’re a great team and we’ve got a bright future ahead of us.”
MAROONS FINALLY SNAP BLUES ORIGIN STRANGLEHOLD
After four years of misery, Queensland have finally claimed the women’s State of Origin.
In front of a vocal, sold-out crowd at Sunshine Coast Stadium, the Maroons pulled off a second-half surge to defeat NSW 24-18.
There was nothing haunting about this Friday the 13th performance.
It was brutal. It was fast. And it was exciting.
The women held nothing back in what was Queensland’s highest score and first win under the new women’s State of Origin banner.
The Blues had won the previous two women Origin clashes, and the past four interstate clashes, but a fresh-faced Queensland side filled with seven debutants secured a courageous victory.
Maroons coach Jason Hetherington credited two of his rookies – Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken – for their victory.
“They were great and that moment (when they combined to score), that’s an Origin moment,” Hetherington said.
“Tamika and Tarryn were outstanding.
“Individually, there was brilliance there. They were quite spectacular.
“Three tries between them is a big ask in Origin.
“There’s a long career (with Queensland) for them.”
Meanwhile, Blues coach Andy Patmore was left to rue his side’s ability to shutdown the Maroons duo.
“Queensland just played winning footy,” Patmore said.
“I spoke during the week about Tamika and Tarryn.
“As soon as you nod off, they tear us apart.”
The Maroons scored three unanswered tries in the space of 14 minutes just after the break to all-but seal the game.
The Blues hit back late with three unconverted tries of their own but it wasn’t enough to steal the win away from the Maroons.
ON THE UPTON
Tamika Upton is a special kind of player.
The leading NRLW tryscorer caused havoc to the opposition defensive line and secured her place as Queensland’s No. 1 for years to come.
The Yeppoon Seagulls product scored an incredible individual 80-metre try on debut to post first points of the match.
She backed it up in the second half with a second four-pointer, set up by fellow debutant Tarryn Aiken who pierced through the Blues defensive line.
Aiken was incredible herself, scoring a four-pointer on debut as well.
BLUE CAPTAIN
Kezie Apps was inspirational in the Blues jersey.
She had overcome a medial cruciate ligament injury in her right knee suffered during the NRLW season to play in the Origin encounter.
And she proved instrumental.
With her right knee heavily strapped, she managed to score a try and threatened the defence with every touch of the ball.
DALLY (M) BRIGGINSHAW
She’s the best female player in the game for a reason.
Ali Brigginshaw was playing out of position in the No. 13 jersey but she was still as influential in both defence and attack.
Her effort was epitomised just two minutes before halftime when she rushed up in defence to force a knock on.
HOME SOIL
There’s a reason why the Maroons wanted to play in front of a home crowd.
Despite a smattering of blue around the sold-out Sunshine Coast Stadium, the “Queenslander” chant erupted on several occasions to spur on the Maroons players.
It was the first game on home soil for the Maroons under the new women’s State of Origin banner and the first since the 2015 Interstate Challenge.
And it had an air of all things Queensland leading up to the match – from a 26C day to a passing afternoon thunderstorm just moments from kick-off.
The wet surface made ball handling a worry during much of the game, with 22 errors from both sides by the end of the match.
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