Why the ‘bizarre’ two-game women’s Origin series is a thing of the past

On the field after last year’s final women’s State of Origin match, Millie Elliott watched fellow players counting with their fingers.

“It was the weirdest feeling,” the NSW star said. “I was thinking, ‘Am I actually on the field right now? What does this mean? We’ve got extra time? It’s a penalty, how many points do we need?’ It was so bizarre.”

“I hated it as a player,” Queensland fullback Tamika Upton said. “We lost the game obviously in the last couple of seconds and it was like, ‘Oh, go up and celebrate, you’ve just won the series’. And it felt really off, and I think a lot of us are competitive. So we all felt that way.”

For the first time in women’s rugby league history, the State of Origin series will be expanded to three matches – matching the men’s Origin series – after NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed the schedule on Monday.

The first match will be played on the Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium before Magic Round, with games to follow in Newcastle and Townsville on the following nights after men’s Origin fixtures. All three games will be broadcast live and exclusive on Nine, the publisher of this masthead.

NRLW stars Tamika Upton (left) and Millie Elliott with the State of Origin shield.Credit: Wolter Peeters

“We saw game one [in 2023] probably wasn’t the best quality,” Upton said. “None of us [had] played footy for like two months coming into it. I think we’ll have a little bit of a competition beforehand to make sure the girls are peaking at the right time for that [opening] game particularly.

“And the fact that there’s three, you’re actually able to go back and watch video and implement game plans. We haven’t usually had that chance.”

Nine Entertainment Co chief executive Mike Sneesby said: “Women’s rugby league continues to flourish and we’re thrilled to showcase the pinnacle of the code, State of Origin, with exclusive, live and free coverage here on Nine all the way through until 2027.”

The NRL also announced its NRLW schedule for the first time alongside the men’s competition with Upton’s two-time defending champions Newcastle to host the Roosters in the opening match on July 25.

Knights coach Ronald Griffiths has announced he will take on the role of Newcastle’s NSW Cup coach with the club yet to announce his women’s successor.

“He’s taken on a new challenge which is good for him,” Upton said. “I’m sure he’ll pop his head in every now and again and it’s what he wanted to do.”

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