Tarryn Aiken stars as Queensland Maroons win 22-6 over NSW Sky Blues in historic State of Origin decider
The Queensland Maroons have claimed a historic victory in the first ever Game 3 decider in the Women’s State of Origin, crushing the Sky Blues in horrible conditions.
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Tarryn Aiken starred to lead Queensland to a classic 22-6 Women’s State of Origin series win in a historic decider in Townsville.
Maroons five-eighth Aiken pulled the strings in front of 22,819 fans as Queensland crushed their southern rivals with devastating defence and brutal physicality through the middle.
Slippery conditions led to a lack of polish from both sides and 11 first-half errors from the Sky Blues meant they only completed half of their sets and put them on the back foot from the get-go.
NSW was forced to throw caution to the wind in the second half but everything they threw at the Queenslanders hit a brick wall until Jaime Chapman finally gave Sky Blues fans something to cheer about with 10 minutes to go.
Chapman latched onto an Aiken cut-out pass and raced 90m from a standing start, scrapping to fend off the futile attempts of Tamika Upton on her way to the line.
NSW failed to break the Queensland line for the entire match as their backline struggled to find the form that carried them to a convincing victory in Origin I.
Sky Blues co-captain Isabelle Kelly said Queensland deserved the win after playing to the conditions.
“They came out firing and I think that’s what we lacked from the very get-go,” Kelly said.
“At the end of the day the completion (rate) was horrible, so we couldn’t get into any positions to create any good ball and have any attack, which is what our team is so good at.
“We’re so fast and strong but unfortunately there were just errors after errors at crucial parts of the game.”
A-OKAY AIKEN
Aiken had a hand in everything in the first half as Queensland raced out to a 14-0 lead at the break.
The Maroons playmaker was deadly with the ball in hand as she popped up on both sides of the field, assisting both tries. She finished with two tackle breaks, a linebreak and a linebreak assist.
Her leading role allowed halves partner and Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw to star in support. A masterful 40/30 kick helped swing momentum back in Queensland’s favour in the second half as NSW fought for ascendancy.
Brigginshaw also had to stand tall in defence with 17 tackles – the most of any back in the match.
The Maroons skipper said the two had started to form a close bond in the Queensland spine.
“We’ve played together for quite a few years now, but I think we’re just starting to click,” Brigginshaw said.
“We’re finding our rhythm and she’s a great talent. I just do the boring stuff and she gets to do the fancy stuff.
SLOW STARTING SKY BLUES
After Queensland failed to score a first-half point in the first two games of the series, it was NSW who struggled to get off the mark in humid conditions in North Queensland.
Floundered opportunities in the red zone cost the Sky Blues as they failed to maintain pressure in attack despite some prime chances.
The slippery conditions didn’t help NSW’s plan to play a high-speed flowing game, with the visitors making 11 errors before halftime.
NSW finally scored in the 59th minute but it was too late to turn the Maroon tide.
RELIVE OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF THE ORIGIN III DECIDER BELOW
FULL-TIME – QUEENSLAND 22-6 NEW SOUTH WALES
It’s all over. A dominant Queensland Maroons side have claimed a historic victory in the Women’s State of Origin, coming out on tip in the first ever Game 3 decider.
The Maroons were on top for almost the entire game, scoring the opening try just minutes into the game, before shutting down any hope of a comeback after NSW finally cracked them in the 58th minute.
The NSW Sky Blues failed to adapt to the conditions and seemed unable to break the Maroons’ brick wall defence, and were their own worst enemy, consistently shooting themselves in the foot.
Maroons centre Evania Pelite was named player of the match, and deservedly so, after scoring the first try of the game, and proving a handful for the Sky Blues.
That's all for our live coverage tonight, Wilson Smith signing off.
68TH MINUTE – MAROONS GET THE MATCH WINNER
Just two minutes to go until full time and the Maroons have scored what will surely be the match winner, with Tazmin Rapana crashing over to put her side ahead by 16 points on the eve of full-time.
Tazmin Rapana seals the series! 🤯#Originpic.twitter.com/U1ctSwizon
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 27, 2024
66TH MINUTE – NSW RUNNING OUT OF TIME
After finally getting some momentum and scoring the points against the run of play, the Sky Blues once again seem out of ideas, coming up with some shocking kicks on last, with Maroons taking the ball under no pressure.
The Blues need points and they need them now.
58TH MINUTE – SKY BLUES FINALLY SCORE
NSW are finally on the board, after Jamie Chapman took a brilliant intercept from Tarryn Aitken, shaking off an ankle tap attempt and running 90 metres to get her side on the board.
Jaime Chapman take a bow! ðŸ‘#Originpic.twitter.com/B8akwvhMzx
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 27, 2024
55TH MINUTE – BLUES FALL AGONSINGLY SHORT AGAIN
We’ve had a bit of a momentum shift here at Townsville, with the Blues starting to get on top of the arm wrestle, but they just seem unable to score at the moment, dropping yet another ball over the try line.
51ST MINUTE – DESPERATE BLUES COME UP SHORT
The Sky Blues are clearly struggling to figure out how to crack the Queensland brick wall defence, with Titans winger Jamie Chapman knocking on just centimetres out from the try line.
Despite the wet conditions, the Blues are keep shifting the ball from sideline to sideline, unable to beat the Maroons through the middle.
49TH MINUTE – MAROONS BOMB ONE
The Maroons have bombed a try, with Chealse Lenarduzzi knocking the ball on over the line.
The Blues continue to shoot themselves in the foot, with Yasmin Clydsdale on report for late contact on Lauren Brown, gifting Queensland brilliant field position
42ND MINUTE – BLUES BLOW ANOTHER ONE
The Sky Blues have bombed yet another opportunity, with prop Grace Kemp knocking the ball on after a fanciful set play from NSW went horribly wrong. The Sky Blues are playing as if there is no rain and have just not adjusted their game plan to the conditions. Halfback Raceal Pearson needs to take control of this game and calm her team down, build some pressure and get the basics right before whipping out set plays.
38TH MINUTE: QLD TAKE THE TWO AGAIN
The Maroons continue to take the easy points when they’re on offer, with NSW giving away another penalty right in front.
36TH MINUTE: WE’RE BACK
The second half is underway at Townsville, and we are just 35-minutes away from having a winner in the historic Origin III decider.
And Queensland have started off perfectly, with Ali Brigginshaw kicking an impressive 40/20.
At this point the Maroons just need a repeat of the first half to come away with victory, with the Sky Blues having a horrible first half.
NSW clearly got a bit of a rev up at halftime, after coach Kylie Hilder said they couldn't have played any worse.
HALF-TIME: QUEENSLAND 14-0 NEW SOUTH WALES
The Maroons are well and truly on top of the Sky Blues at halftime in the historic Women’s State of Origin decider, with NSW proving to be their own worst enemy, coming up with error after error. The Maroons got on the scoreboard in the opening minutes and continued to build pressure for the rest of the half, crossing for their second five minutes before the break.
The Blues desperately need the break to regroup and fix everything they’re doing, while the Maroons will just want more of the same.
Julia Robinson pounces! 💥#Originpic.twitter.com/lnn3nzF44V
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 27, 2024
30TH MINUTE – MAROONS IN AGAIN
Queensland star five-eighth Tarryn Aitken is making her mark on this game, coming up with a crafty kick to set up a try to her winger Julia Robinson, after yet another error from NSW fullback Emma Tonegato.
The Blues finally had some luck going their way, with a successful (albeit dubious) captain’s challenge with Tazmin Rapana putting very light pressure on the head of Jessica Sergis after a shoddy play the ball. Sadly they were unable to capitalise, with Sergis forced into touch on the next play after some brilliant Queensland defence.
24TH MINUTE – BLUES HORROR SHOW CONTINUES
The Sky Blues just cant get anything right at the moment, coming up with back-to-back errors in good field position after being gifted good field position by Queensland. The Maroons don’t need to beat NSW right now, the Sky Blues are beating themselves!
The Maroons’ 8-0 lead might not seem like much at the moment, but it's a massive advantage right now in the wet weather.
18TH MINUTE – SKY BLUES BLOW FIRST CHANCE
Finally getting some good field position on the back of a penalty, NSW have come up with yet another error, this time through Yasmin Clysdelade.
“Another blow for the Blues. Queensland are in their heads,” said Phil Gould.
Tazmin Rapana was put on report for an accidental high shot on Sky Blues co-captain Kezie Apps.
15TH MINUTE – MAROONS MISS OUT ON A SECOND
Queensland have gone agonisingly close to their second try of the night, with a borderline forward pass from NSW giving them good field position. Tarryn Aitken pulled the trigger early, putting a quick in to fullback Tamika Upton before Sky Blues No.1 Emma Tonegato saved the day.
Queensland are clearly on top of the arm wrestle at the moment, with NSW struggling to build any real pressure or even put a set of six together at the moment.
Sky Blues winger Jamie Champman seemed shaken up after a collision attempting to get the ball out of the NSW in-goal area but is playing on for now.
8TH MINUTE – MAROONS EXTEND LEAD
The Queensland Maroons have opted to take the easy points on offer, converting a penalty right in front after the NSW kicked a goal line drop out into touch on the full.
Emma Tonegato came up with another costly error, with Queensland stealing possession after a wayward pass.
Unsurprisingly a very pro-Queensland crowd in Townsville, who are cheering anytime something goes the Maroons’ way.
2ND MINUTE – MAROONS STRIKE EARLY
Just two minutes into the game and Queensland are first on the scoresheet tonight, with five-eight Tarryn Aiken putting Evania Pelite in with a crisp pass. The Maroons got brilliant field position after NSW fullback Emma Tonegato came up with a knock-on with her first touch of the night.
Evania Pelite strikes early for QLD! 👊#Origin Thanks to @goodyearpic.twitter.com/Ha36QtNc0p
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 27, 2024
7:47 – KICK OFF
And we’re underway in Townsville, with the Blues almost kicking the ball out from kick-off... hopefully not an omen of bad things to come for the Sky Blues.
7:45PM – THERE IT IS... THE CURSE!
Kick-off is just minutes away now, and not long after I said the weather looked good, the heavens have opened and the rain has begun to come down during the Welcome to Country. We could be in for a wet night.
7:35PM – ALMOST KICK-OFF
Not long to go now, and we should be in for some good footy tonight in Townsville, with a dry track for now, but it is very humid with a chance for some rain later on. Who will claim victory in the first ever decider for Women’s State of Origin? Can the Sky Blues keep the wins coming for NSW? Or will the Queensland Maroons women get their revenge after the men went down on Wednesday night?
LATE MAIL: FINAL TEAMS IN
Final teams are in for Origin III, and both Queensland and New South Wales will line up 1-17, with no late changes.
The Sky Blues made the same late change in both Origin I and II, with Olivia Kernick starting at lock over Keeley Davis, however Kernick was named to start in the No.13 jersey this time.
The Maroons have made some changes from their squad in Game Two, with Chelsea Lenarduzzi coming onto the bench after Destiny Brill picked up a calf injury at training. Keilee Joseph has also been promoted to the starting side after Sienna Lofipo suffered a PCL injury in Origin II, with Sophie Holyman coming onto the bench.
Zahara Temare and Jakiya Whitfeld are the reserves for the Maroons and Sky Blues respectively.
RECORD CROWD LOOMS AS DECIDER DECLARED A SELL-OUT
It’s official! The first ever Game III decider in the Women’s State of Origin is set to break attendance records, with the blockbuster match at Townsville officially declared a sellout.
Game one of the 2024 series saw a record 25,492 crowd at Suncorp Stadium, which was then surpassed in game two as 25,782 people braved pouring rain and chilly conditions in Newcastle.
Game two in Newcastle was originally declared a sellout too, but the horrid weather meant the final attendance fell short of a capacity crowd.
The current ground record at Queensland Country Bank Stadium is 27,533 from a State of Origin men’s game in 2021, so another women’s record breaking remains a real possibility.
THE DECIDER IS SOLD OUT! 🔥
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 27, 2024
Tune in tonight on @Channel9 and @9Now at 7:45PM to watch the battle unfold! pic.twitter.com/vo4gkSyVUh
MAROONS MAY REGRET TOWNSVILLE SNUB BEFORE DECIDER
—Patrick Woods
The Queensland Maroons insisted not arriving in Townsville until the day before the Women’s State of Origin Game III was not a mistake as the team prepares for the must-win decider on Thursday night.
The Maroons elected to host their camp at the team’s home base on the Gold Coast in the state’s south east corner while the NSW Sky Blues have been based in Townsville since last Thursday.
NSW Sky Blues assistant coach Kylie Hilder said the week-long acclimatisation had given the visitors a chance to play in whatever weather North Queensland serves up.
“It’s been awesome, the girls are really relaxed. It’s been great up here in Townsville, we love it,” Hilder said.
“The weather has (given us) lots of different scenarios – it’s hot one day, raining the next, which is great because we don’t know what tomorrow night’s weather is going to be like.
“In Newcastle we had all that rain so it’s great that we’ve trained in the different conditions so we’re ready for whatever happens tomorrow.
“We came up the same time last year and it just means we’re settled. We don’t waste a day of travel and then not be able to train, so we can get up here nice and early, get ourselves settled here and then we get into our routine and our week of training.”
Queensland coach Tahnee Norris said the decision came down to giving her players a consistent run-up to the match at the place they are most comfortable.
“Of course they (NSW) are going to be prepared, it’s an Origin game. I just think we do it a different way, we like to stick to our home base and the girls are really comfy down at our home base down on the Gold Coast,” Norris said.
“I think that’s the best way that we prepare and that’s how we’ve done it, and I think the girls will be ready and firing tomorrow night.”
Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw said the squad “absolutely love” coming to Townsville but the familiar facilities on the Gold Coast helped preparation.
“Prep has been great, (the Gold Coast) is our hometown,” Brigginshaw said.
“We know what the accommodation is like, we know what the food is like, there’s no change and it’s been the same every game so that was our thoughts behind keeping everything the same and it’s been really good.”
Earlier in the week Sky Blues star Jess Sergis went as far as calling Townsville a “second home” for the NSW team – a sentiment echoed by co-captains Kezie Apps and Isabelle Kelly.
“We came straight up and the girls absolutely love Townsville, the weather’s beautiful up here and we’ve had some nice downtime here,” Apps said.
“We’ve trained really well and got used to a bit of the humidity up here, (it’s) different air up this way.”
The Women’s State of Origin decider kicks off at 7.45pm.
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