Allana Ferguson says Blues rugby league women ‘born to dislike’ Queenland rivals in Origin

IF you though the intensity between the NSW and Queensland women’s rugby league teams ahead of the Interstate Challenge was less than their male counterparts you’d be wrong. Very wrong.

Allana Ferguson, in action at a Jillaroos camp, is a passionate Blues player.

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IF you though the intensity between the NSW and Queensland women’s rugby league teams ahead of the Interstate Challenge was less than their male counterparts you’d be wrong. Very wrong.

With just one shot at each other, Saturday’s game on the Gold Coast will have all the emotion of the men’s event. Plus some.

Sydney player Allana Ferguson said it was in her DNA as a NSW rugby league player to dislike Queensland.

Maddie Studdon and Allana Ferguson will swap their Aussie jerseys for a Blue one on Saturday.

“We were born to dislike them on the footy field,’’ she said. “We all grew up watching NSW and Queensland clashes

“It’s really motivational for us. And it goes both ways.

“Did you read the story on the website about Steph? She said she would quit if they lose. She’s their star player and leader.”

Website NRL.com reported this week if NSW bring Queensland’s 17-year reign of the annual clash to an end Queensland captain Steph Hancock will quit.

Steph Hancock in action during the Indigenous Women's All Stars v World All Stars game.

“If I have to feel that experience, what it’s like to be beaten by NSW in my lifetime, I’ll give it away. I won’t be able to handle it,” Hancock, who captained Queensland for the first time last year, was quoted as saying.

NSW have recently been making inroads on their Queensland rivals with last year’s match ending in a 4-4 draw.

A more established pathway to both the NSW and Jillaroos team has seen the Blues grow in strength and confidence.

There is also a growing interest in the women’s side of the sport both locally and internationally.

This year’s Interstate Challenge will start at 3pm Saturday at CBUS Super Stadium as part of a triple header, also including the Holden Cup and NRL clashes between the Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels.