For the second consecutive year, New South Wales have secured the Women's State of Origin shield after a thrilling 14-10 victory over Queensland in game two at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The result was in doubt until the final moments, with a video review denying Maroons winger Jasmine Peters a try that would have levelled the series.
Dramatic Finish Decides Series
The match seemed destined for a Queensland comeback when Peters crossed in the right corner in the last minute, sparking celebrations among the 23,846-strong crowd. However, the video bunker ruled that her toe had touched the sideline during a desperate tackle by Blues fullback Teagan Berry, who had initially appeared beaten. Berry's effort made her a hero for New South Wales, who lifted the shield for the second time in a row.
"I was stressing big time," Blues halfback Jesse Southwell said after watching the replay. "Far out, that was so cool." Veteran forward Kezie Apps added, "Our heart was in our chest there on that last little bit." Maroons halfback Lauren Brown, who was preparing for a match-winning conversion, expressed heartbreak: "Jazzy looked good going over there, I thought we may have been in. But unfortunately that wasn't the case."
Heroic Defensive Efforts
The final-minute drama was preceded by another try-saving tackle from Southwell, who stopped Peters in a one-on-one situation just ten minutes earlier. Southwell, who also kicked the winning field goal in game one, played a pivotal role in securing back-to-back Origin shields for New South Wales, erasing the pain of the 2024 series when Queensland mounted a comeback.
On Thursday, the Blues allowed the Maroons back into the contest but held firm at the death. The nail-biting finish contrasted sharply with the one-sided opening, as New South Wales dominated possession early. Hooker Keeley Nizza crossed after 22 minutes to give the visitors an 8-0 lead, with Queensland completing only three sets in the first half.
Queensland Fight Back
The Maroons found their answer through a towering bomb from five-eighth Chantay Kiria-Ratu, which forced an error from Blues fullback Abbi Church. Three sets later, Tamika Upton split the defence to set up Rory Owen's try, and Brown's conversion cut the deficit to 8-6. Queensland surged ahead early in the second half when hooker Jada Ferguson burrowed over, but Brown missed the conversion.
New South Wales regained control when Jess Sergis powered through the defence, taking Rory Owen over the line. Southwell's sideline conversion in pouring rain extended the lead to 14-10. Despite a late surge from the Maroons, the Blues' defence held firm, with Berry and Southwell's tackles proving decisive.
The victory marks New South Wales' second straight Women's State of Origin series win, cementing their dominance in the women's rugby league rivalry.
