‘We won’t settle for anything less than a 2-0 series result’: NSW makes early statement with strong State of Origin squad

The Sky Blues are set to hand one of the game’s most exciting players her State of Origin debut after she was included in the squad for game one.

NSW selectors have named a strong squad for this year’s State of Origin series, including teen sensation Jesse Southwell. Picture; Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Newcastle Knights teen sensation Jesse Southwell is on track to make her State of Origin debut after she was one of six new faces picked in the squad for game one of the women’s State of Origin series.

The premiership-winning halfback appears likely to earn her first start for NSW in the series opener on June 1 at CommBank Stadium, with the second game to be played in Townsville next month.

The Sky Blues will go into camp on May 25, with the final 17 to be announced later that week as they look to defend last year’s title.

Jesse Southwell is in line to make her State of Origin debut after a stunning debut NRLW season with the Knights. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“This is a very strong squad filled with plenty of Origin experience and also a number of Jillaroos (11) from the World Cup-winning Australia team last November,” NSW coach Kylie Hilder said.

“I’ve said from the very beginning that 2023 is a clean slate. What we achieved in 2022 – however good that was – is now in the past.

“We are going out there to win not just one game but both Origin games. We won’t settle for anything less than a 2-0 series result.”

Superstars Isabelle Kelly and Tarryn Aiken helped launch the series that will feature two games for the first time. Picture; Matt King/Getty Images

Brooke Anderson, Ellie Johnston, Teagan Berry, Jaime Chapman and Taliah Fuimaono are the other fresh faces in the squad, although there are some hardluck stories.

Simaima Taufa (shoulder) and Hannah Southwell (knee) are unavailable for selection for the series opener, while fellow forwards Holli Wheeler and Caitlan Johnston will also miss the campaign due to injury.

NSW: Brooke Anderson (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Kezie Apps (Illawarra Steelers), Shaylee Bent (Wynnum-Manly Seagulls), Teagan Berry (Illawarra Steelers), Millie Boyle (Central Coast Roosters), Jaime Chapman (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Kennedy Cherrington (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights), Keeley Davis (Illawarra Steelers), Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Taliah Fuimaono (Illawarra Steelers), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Isabelle Kelly (Central Coast Roosters)

Olivia Kernick (Central Coast Roosters), Rachael Pearson (Illawarra Steelers), Tiana Penitani (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jessica Sergis (North Sydney Bears), Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights), Sarah Togatuki (North Sydney Bears), Emma Tonegato (Illawarra Steelers).

Originally published as ‘We won’t settle for anything less than a 2-0 series result’: NSW makes early statement with strong State of Origin squad