North Queensland NRLW halfback Kirra Dibb’s Women’s NSW Origin hopes over after All Stars injury

After making her way back into the frame for a NSW Origin jersey, an untimely injury has forced Cowboys star Kirra Dibb to go under the knife. See what it means for the Sky Blues.

North Queensland halfback Kirra Dibb has been ruled out of at least the first two State of Origin games with a syndesmosis injury she suffered during the Indigenous All Stars win on Saturday.

The Cowboys star lasted just 24 minutes of the 20-18 win over the Maori All Stars and will undergo the tightrope surgery this week which will sideline her for between eight to 10 weeks.

The 27-year-old is expected to be fit to start the Cowboys’ NRLW pre-season in early May, but the untimely injury effectively rules her out of contention for the NSW Origin side with an extended squad set to begin training under new coach John Strange in Sydney next month.

The first game of the series is on May 1 at Suncorp Stadium, while game two is a fortnight later at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Although she was overlooked for the Sky Blues last year, it’s understood Dibb was back in contention for the No.7 jersey on the back of her impressive kicking game and the fall out of last year’s loss to Queensland.

Cowboys NRLW star Kirra Dibb will be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks. Picture: NRL Photos

She set up the first try for the Indigenous side on Saturday with a deft kick for Monique Donovan just two minutes into the game.

Dibb was a part of the Sky Blues’ squad last season but was overlooked as Rachael Pearson and Corban Baxter were given the nod as the halves combination for all three games.

Knights halfback Jesse Southwell is also expected to be given a chance to reclaim her spot in the halves after being axed from the side last season.

Strange is set to name a squad of players early next month, who will then train three times a week to be fit for Origin selection at the end of April.