Women’s State of Origin Game II: NSW Blues win 18-14, QLD Maroons claim series victory

Queensland and NSW are fierce rivals on the rugby league field but they are in total agreement off it after a “weird” ending to the women’s State of Origin series.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Queensland celebrates after winning the series during game two of the women's State of Origin series between New South Wales Skyblues and Queensland Maroons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on June 22, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The verdict is in from the Women’s State of Origin aggregate experiment with both teams’ captains and coaches in favour of scrapping the system with the introduction of a game 3.

Emotions were muted after the game, as NSW triumphed 18-14 but Queensland were crowned champions due to a positive points differential after an eight-point win in game 1.

Queensland Maroons coach Tahnee Norris said feelings were mixed after losing the lead in the final minute.

“The girls are celebrating at the moment but it’s a weird feeling at the moment,” Norris said.

“They fought so hard in that game and to lose just right at the death, it goes to show the point aggregate came into play and we scored more points and that’s how we won the series.

“To go to three games now, we’re putting our hands up for it and going, ‘please, please, please, can we play these three games?’

“We definitely deserve it and I think it would have been fantastic to now go into a third game and play it out.”

Queensland players celebrate with the shield after winning the 2023 Women’s State of Origin series. Picture: Getty Images

NSW coach Kylie Hilder echoed her counterpart’s sentiment that a third game needs to be implemented in 2024.

“I think we’re both really confused on how to feel at the moment to be honest,” Hilder said.

“We’ve just won a game of Origin in Queensland which is a massive feat. It was such a battle and such a great game but you still feel so defeated because we’ve lost a two-game series by four points.

“That’s how I feel and I’ve spoken to a lot of the girls and they’re feeling the same.”

A dejected Sky Blues co-captain Kezie Apps was left wondering what could have been if the series was now heading to a decider.

“Winning today was massive for us, a massive achievement and I’m so proud of how our girls overcame that last five minutes, but one-all and I don’t know how to feel,” Apps said.

NSW Blues players look on during the trophy presentation. Picture: Getty Images

“Let’s make it a third game in a couple weeks’ time and we can have that decider and really see who can take home the trophy – but that’s not how it is this year and we’ve just got to move on.”

Hilder defended her team’s attacking intent throughout the contest despite falling short of the eight-point deficit she knew she had to overcome heading into the match.

“We fought really hard to win this game just to make it one-all,” Hilder said.

“It’s really disappointing that you lose an Origin shield because of four points.

“There were probably a couple of occasions where we made the wrong decisions but that footy, and I was really impressed with how we played.

“We stuck to our game plan and our structures, a couple lapses but I’m really proud of the girls for the way they fought back to get that win.”

MAROONS HOLD ON TO CLINCH SERIES IN THRILLER

By Patrick Woods

Queensland’s renowned spirit was apparent as the Maroons secured the Women’s State of Origin series despite falling to New South Wales 18-14 in Townsville.

North Queensland lived up to its reputation as a rugby league heartland, shattering the crowd attendance record for a Women’s State of Origin match with 18,275 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium to witness the spectacle.

The near-full house heaved with energy as Queensland repelled a relentless New South Wales onslaught in the second half, turning away attack after attack to protect their lead.

But with a minute left on the clock New South Wales were awarded a penalty try after Shenae Ciesiolka led with her foot to prevent a try.

They may not have won on the night, but Queensland Maroons have won the 2023 Women’s State of Origin series on aggregates. Picture: Getty Images.

The Sky Blues inexplicably allowed time to all-but elapse setting up the shot at goal, leaving them with too little on the clock to achieve the eight point margin needed to win the aggregate series.

Tamika Upton was outstanding at fullback for Queensland, scoring a try and making a number of vital one-on-one tackles in the first half when the game was still in the balance.

Maroons five-eighth Tarryn Aiken was the most creative half on the field, setting up a four-pointer and scoring a spectacular highlight reel try of her own. She now has three tries and four try assists in five Women’s State of Origin games.

A GAME OF INTENT

Early in the first half New South Wales elected to take the kickable penalty to move from a 4-0 lead to 6-0.

Those points were the last of the first half for the visitors as Queensland ran in three unanswered tries.

A telling moment was 10 minutes out from the break when the Maroons were blown a penalty in a mirror-image position of the field as the Sky Blues’ penalty goal.

NSW came agonisingly close to a series win, just four points short despite winning Game II. Picture: Getty Images.

Instead of levelling the scores at 6-6, Queensland tapped the ball and chased the lead.

They were instantly rewarded when Emily Bass found the ball in her hands with no one in front of her after two spectacular offloads from Tazmin Gray and Evania Pelite, giving the Maroons the lead.

Again early in the second half, New South Wales were deep in attack and blown a penalty that would see them start a set 10 metres out but elected to kick the easy two points.

These decisions proved to be pivotal as the Sky Blues fell four points short of evening the aggregate ledger.

VALIANT IN VICTORY

The Sky Blues may have won the contest on the night, but celebrations were muted from both teams after the surprising finish.

New South Wales won the game but lost the series, while Queensland won the series but couldn’t claim victory on the night.

It was the first series decided by aggregate score, and while it left fans and players alike feeling strange in the aftermath it certainly wasn’t a dead rubber.

The exhilarating match kept fans engaged until the final whistle, raising questions about whether the men’s game will one day follow suit.

Match Highlights 🎥 - #Origin II

A penalty try for the Sky Blues in the final minute handed them an 18-14 victory over the Maroons! pic.twitter.com/Cj3wI9hJAD

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) June 22, 2023

WHERE TO FOR NSW?

It’s been a tough week for Blues fans and despite getting the win, the match raised more questions about what exactly is missing in New South Wales camp.

On paper New South Wales should have had the ability to claim the eight-point win needed, but the Sky Blues seemed hesitant to throw caution to the wind until the dying stages of the match.

A lack of creativity in the red zone, as well as two questionable kicks at goal, ensured another year of disappointment for fans south of the border.

Originally published as Women’s State of Origin Game II: NSW Blues win 18-14, QLD Maroons claim series victory