2026 Women’s State of Origin Match Day Guide & Late Mail – Game 1

Today’s Game

Women’s State of Origin – Game 1

Match	Kick‑off (AEST)	Venue	Broadcast
NSW Blues Women vs QLD Maroons	7:45pm	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	Nine Network / 9Now

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How to Watch

• Free-to-Air: Channel 9 (live)
• Pay TV: Fox League (delay)
• Streaming: Kayo Sports (delay), 9Now (live)

Kick-off times listed in AEST

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Matchday Talking Points

• New South Wales are chasing their first Women’s State of Origin win in Newcastle, having lost both previous fixtures at the venue. Captain Isabelle Kelly insists the side embraces the challenge, with strong home‑state support expected in the stands.
• The Blues enter Game 1 with a new halves combination, led by rising star Jesse Southwell, who returns to Newcastle for the series opener. Her pairing with Jocelyn Kelleher will be under close watch as NSW look to control the tempo.
• Queensland boast significant strike across the park, with Tamika Upton at fullback providing speed, support play and Origin‑level experience. The Maroons’ backline shapes as a key weapon against a reshaped NSW defensive line.
• This is the only Women’s State of Origin match scheduled in NSW in 2026, with the series opener again drawing attention to Newcastle as a growing stronghold for the women’s game.

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Team News – Player Line‑ups

NSW Blues Women vs Queensland Maroons

NSW Blues Player	No.	Position	No.	Queensland Maroons Player
Abbi Church	1	Fullback	1	Tamika Upton
Jaime Chapman	2	Winger	2	Julia Robinson
Jessica Sergis	3	Centre	3	Rory Owen
Isabelle Kelly (c)	4	Centre	4	Shenae Ciesiolka
Jayme Fressard	5	Winger	5	Phoenix‑Raine Hippi
Jocelyn Kelleher	6	Five‑Eighth	6	Chantay Kiria‑Ratu
Jesse Southwell	7	Halfback	7	Lauren Brown
Millie Elliott	8	Prop	8	Makenzie Weale
Keeley Nizza	9	Hooker	9	Jada Ferguson
Ellie Johnston	10	Prop	10	Jessika Elliston
Tiana Penitani Gray	11	Second Row	11	Sienna Lofipo
Yasmin Meakes	12	Second Row	12	Romy Teitzel
Olivia Kernick	13	Lock	13	Keilee Joseph

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Interchange Benches

NSW Blues Interchange	No.	Role	No.	Queensland Maroons Interchange
Olivia Higgins	14	Interchange	14	Emma Manzelmann
Kennedy Cherrington	15	Interchange	15	Otesa Pule
Kezie Apps	16	Interchange	16	Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Teagan Berry	17	Interchange	17	Brianna Clark

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Reserves / Replacements

NSW Blues	No.	Status	No.	Queensland Maroons
Corban Baxter	18	Replacement	18	Ivana Lolesio
Rima Butler	19	Reserve	19	Destiny Brill

Line‑ups listed as named. Subject to late changes.

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Quick Form Check (At a Glance)

New South Wales Blues Women: L – W – W – L – L
Queensland Maroons Women: W – L – L – W – W

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