NSW Blues claim Women’s State of Origin shield with 26-6 win over Queensland Maroons in game two

After back-to-back series losses, NSW produced a muddy masterclass to steal the Origin shield back from Queensland, with the Blues now chasing a series whitewash for the first time in women’s rugby league history.

NSW are chasing a State of Origin whitewash for the first time in women’s rugby league history after smashing Queensland 26-6 to win the shield at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.

After back-to-back series losses, NSW produced a muddy masterclass in the four try win including a double for Olivia Kernick, setting up the potential for a total shutdown of the Maroons in Newcastle in a fortnight.

A day after the NRL announced the women’s fixture had been dumped from the Las Vegas schedule for 2026, the Blues made a case for more eyeballs on the game from home.

The crowd of 16,026 is the lowest total since the 2023 series opener at CommBank Stadium, but whether it was the miserable weather, Sydney’s attendance habits or otherwise, the majority of fans stayed at home in comfort.

It’s the first loss for Queensland since 2022 and follows their biggest ever loss to NSW just a fortnight before.

Olivia Kernick was the player of the match for the Blues. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Maroons will be scrambling after star fullback Tamika Upton was taken from the field with a suspected hamstring injury towards the end of the second half, while the Blues will also be sweating on centre Jess Sergis who could be in doubt for game three.

Sergis didn’t return to the field in the second half with a neck injury she suffered during an alleged crusher tackle early in the night.

It wasn’t the Maroons’ night. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Any doubt on the lone tryscorer Upton will be a huge blow to the Maroons who were completely shut-out of the game as Blues halfback Jesse Southwell took hold.

The 20-year-old Knights halfback had the ball on a string, throwing cut out passes and kicking the Blues into territory in another show of her growing star power.

After a humiliating 32-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago, Queensland were desperate to save the series.

Is there a whitewash on the cards? Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

But as the Blues took hold, Queensland were let down by their halves as they struggled to make the most of any possession.

Veteran halfback Ali Brigginshaw couldn’t get a clean kick away and finished with just two runs for the game, while five-eighth Tarryn Aiken was also kept quiet in the poor conditions.

The Maroons led early through a messy try from Upton who was on the spot to ground a grubber from Lauren Brown.

However, the Blues never looked back once Simaima Taufa stormed through the defence from 30 metres out to score, put through a hole by Kernick who took the game to 12-6 at halftime.

Wingers Jayme Fressard and Jaime Chapman polished off the second half to round off the thumping.