Emma Paki says her Origin debut was ‘unexpected’ but something she was ‘really grateful’ for

Emma Paki has given an insight into her State of Origin debut while watching the Rocky Junior League grand finals. She reveals how she learned about her Maroons start and what it meant. Full details.

Emma Paki (right) and her Queensland teammates during Game II in Newcastle. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Days after making making her State of Origin debut Emma Paki was out watching the next generation of aspiring footy stars in Rockhampton.

The 21-year-old made her Origin debut on Thursday night in the Queensland women’s last-gasp 11-10 win in Game II of the series.

The CQ Capras’ utility is now waiting to see if she will don the maroon again for the historic decider to be played in Townsville on June 27.

On Saturday, she was among the crowd at Rugby Park for the Rocky Junior League grand finals, her presence no doubt inspiring the young brigade keen to follow in her footsteps.

Emma Paki in camp with the Queensland squad.

Speaking to The Morning Bulletin, she said her first appearance in the Origin arena was something she would never forget.

Paki was the only new face named in the 20-member squad, which spent a week in camp on the Gold Coast.

“I was pretty nervous being the only new one in the squad but the girls were very welcoming and they were really happy I was there,” she said.

Maroons’ coach Tahnee Norris told Paki she would be starting on the wing after team photos on the Monday before the game.

“It was a handshake and she said, ‘Congratulations, you’re debuting’.

“It was unexpected but I was really grateful.”

Emma Paki pictured playing for the CQ Capras in the BMD Premiership.

Paki got her first touch in the game when she pounced on a loose ball as NSW were pressuring Queensland’s tryline.

Though she did not see a lot of the ball, she and her teammates on the left edge managed to contain Blues’ dangerous winger Jaime Chapman.

The speed and intensity of the contest was a real eye-opener for Paki, who is no stranger to elite-level footy.

He twice represented the Queensland under-19s and won an NRLW premiership with the Newcastle Knights in 2022, rupturing her ACL in the team’s grand final win which sidelined her for a year.

But she said last Thursday night’s victory over the Blues in enemy territory was incredible.

“Winning in New South Wales was pretty special to me. I’ve never won against them in footy so it’s one to remember.”

Originally published as Emma Paki says her Origin debut was ‘unexpected’ but something she was ‘really grateful’ for