NSW have claimed back-to-back women’s State of Origin series, holding on for a win filled with late drama against the Maroons.
Queensland looked destined to level the scores in the final minute when Jasmine Peters dived over in the corner, only for the try to be overruled by the Bunker.
Teagan Berry and Jesse Southwell produced epic try-saving tackles to stop the winger in the second half, while plenty of other Blues performed well.
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It will be a case of what could have been for the Maroons, with some high-profile stars underperforming when the lights shone brightest at Suncorp Stadium.
Here’s who shined and struggled in game two on Thursday night.
NSW BLUES
1. Abbi Church
Safe at the back in difficult conditions and came close to breaking the line with her pace a couple of times. Rating: 6.5
2. Jaime Chapman
Scored the opening try, made a couple of fine runs and always dangerous when she got room to move. Rating: 8
3. Jessica Sergis
One of the Blues’ best, setting up Chapman’s try in the first half and scoring at a key time in the second. Rating: 8
4. Isabelle Kelly
Used her size and experience to terrorise the Maroons out wide despite limited chances. Rating: 7
5. Jayme Fressard
Not a night for wingers with the wet, slippery ball, making just two runs. Rating: 5
6. Jocelyn Kelleher
Her best Origin performance, kicking strongly and laying on a try. Very classy. Rating: 8
7. Jesse Southwell
Didn’t take command of the team in attack enough but produced a couple of big plays – notably an incredible try-saving tackle late that may have saved the game. Rating: 7
8. Millie Elliott
Busy in the middle, doing plenty of hard work on and off the ball. Rating: 7
14. Olivia Higgins
Elevated into the starting side, she controlled the attack well without over-playing her hand at dummy-half. Rating: 6
10. Ellie Johnston
The Blues’ big bopper was kept fairly quiet, finding it hard to get going on the heavy track. Rating: 6.5
11. Kezie Apps
Was given the job of keeping Upton quiet and came up with two try-saving tackles on the Maroons fullback near the try line. Rating: 7.5
12. Yasmin Meakes
Played the full 70 and paid her way with her consistency and high work rate. Rating: 7
13. Olivia Kernick
Topped both the Blues tackle count and running metres – my player of the match. Such a strong motor! Rating: 8.5
9. Keeley Nizza
Dropped to the bench before kick off, she responded in fine style, barging over for the Blues’ second try from dummy-half midway through the first half. Rating: 7
15. Kennedy Cherrington
Ran as hard as anyone on the field in her 30 minute stint, nearly hitting 100 metres with the ball. Rating: 6
16 Rima Butler
Quiet game off the bench but didn’t make any errors in difficult conditions. Rating: 5
17. Teagan Berry
Struggled when she got her chance off the bench in the wet with a couple of errors, but came up with the tackle that saved the game in the final seconds. Rating: 6
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QUEENSLAND MAROONS
1. Tamika Upton
After a quiet game one, showed her class with a series of exciting runs with the ball that could easily have led to tries but for the Blues’ excellent defence. Made more yardage than any player on the field. Rating: 8
2. Julia Robinson
Had a couple of errors but made amends with a series of strong bursts from deep in her own territory to run the Maroons out of trouble. Rating: 7.5
3. Rory Owen
Much more involved than in game one, scoring the Maroons’ first try off an Upton pass and making a couple of clean breaks. Rating: 8
4. Ivana Lolesio
Couldn’t get into the game with just six runs for 50 metres. Out-muscled by the bigger Blues outside backs. Rating: 5
5. Jasmine Peters
Almost the hero for Queensland, hardly seeing the ball all night and then planting it in the corner in the final seconds, only to have the try disallowed. Rating: 4.5
6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu
The youngster had a booming kicking game that worried the Blues but didn’t run the ball enough. Rating: 6
7. Lauren Brown
Disappointing in both games – made just one run all night and didn’t get her hands on the football or control play enough. Rating: 5
8. Otesa Pule
The most dangerous forward on the field, taking the Blues on up front and making the hard yards. Rating: 8
14 Destiny Brill
Tidy out of hooker without worrying NSW or doing anything spectacular. Rating: 5.5
10. Jessika Elliston
Did plenty of the hard work up the middle, keeping the Maroons on the front foot in possession. Rating: 7.5
11. Sienna Lofipo
Had few chances with the ball and failed to worry the Blues defence. Rating: 5
12. Romy Teitzel
Played the entire 70 minutes but finished with just six runs for 53 metres – not enough of a work rate. Rating: 5
13. Keilee Joseph
The heart and soul of the Maroons’ defence, kept the Blues from breaking the line on several occasions with copybook tackles. Rating: 7
9. Jada Ferguson
Like her opposite number Nizza, was benched before kickoff but didn’t let it phase her and scored a vital try from dummy half early in the second half. Rating: 6
15. Makenzie Weale
Quiet off the bench, struggling to get into the game. Rating: 4
16. Brianna Clark
Queensland’s most effective interchange player bringing energy and enthusiasm to the game when she got her chance. Rating: 7
19. Emma Manzelmann
Barely sighted in her 20 minute spell, just making four runs and a handful of tackles. Rating: 3.5
