Queensland Maroons make mass change for Women’s State of Origin game one - six potential debutantes

It will be a new look Queensland side to the one that lifted the women’s State of Origin shield in 2024, with a number of series regulars omitted and six potential debutantes. See the full squad.

Maroons players celebrate with the Women's State of Origin shield in 2024. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Queensland have made mass changes to their State of Origin squad ahead of the series opener at Suncorp Stadium, which the NRL hopes will surpass last year’s bumper crowd of 25,492 in just over a fortnight.

Despite beating NSW in a game three decider in Townsville, coach Tahnee Norris has left out four players from the series-wining side, and has been forced into two changes with the withdrawal of pregnant stars Evania Isa’ako and Shannon Mato.

Cowboys hooker Emma Manzelmann, Raiders half Zahara Temara, Broncos forward Tazmin Rapana and Warriors winger Emmanita Paki were left out of selections for the opener in Brisbane on May 1.

Paki made her debut in game two last year, but Norris has now named six potential debutantes in the squad

Cowboys centre Jasmine Peters and rising Parramatta star Rory Owen are among the new additions and will compete for the position left vacant by Maroons champion Isa’ako, who will also miss the NRLW season after announcing her pregnancy recently.

Jillaroos prop Mato is also expecting her first child, and is likely to be replaced up front with Chelsea Lenarduzzi or Keilee Joseph for game one at Suncorp Stadium.

Jasmine Peters of the Cowboys is a new addition to the squad. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Rory Owen of the Eels is another addition. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Premiership-winning Sharks five-eighth Georgia Hannaway, Broncos fullback Hayley Maddick and hooker Jada Ferguson and Roosters half Tavarna Papalii are the other newcomers to the squad, with Ali Brigginshaw again named to captain the side.

The final team will be announced on day one of a week-long camp next Thursday, while the Sky Blues are expected to select their team later this week after their final in-house scrimmage on Thursday.

New coach John Strange is also set to make mass changes, including a brand new halves pairing after Rachael Pearson and Corban Baxter were left out of his squad.

Star props Millie Elliott and Caitlan Johnston-Green will also be missing with both expecting their first child later this year.

The changes follow a historic series win for Queensland in 2024 after women’s Origin was expanded to three games for the first time.

All three games broke crowd records, starting with game one which will be again played at Suncorp Stadium to kick off Magic Round in Brisbane.

The following two games will be in NSW this year, at Allianz Stadium on May 15 followed by McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on May 29.

Originally published as Queensland Maroons make mass change for Women’s State of Origin game one - six potential debutantes