A field goal by Jesse Southwell helped the NSW Blues secure a narrow victory against the QLD Maroons, winning 11-6 in a tightly contested opener for the State of Origin 2026 series.
The match took place at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 20,000 fans. Southwell’s pivotal field goal came just six minutes before fulltime, sealing the victory for her team.
Key statistics from the match:
- The NSW Blues scored a total of 11 points.
- The QLD Maroons managed to score 6 points.
- Yasmin Meakes made an impressive 34 tackles during the game.
- The Maroons lost players Mackenzie Weale and Keilee Joseph to injuries.
The atmosphere was electric as fans cheered on their teams. “What a performance from Yasmin Meakes!” exclaimed an NRLW representative, highlighting her defensive prowess. The humidity played a role in the game, as both teams committed three errors each under challenging conditions.
This match marked the beginning of the 2026 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series, and it follows last year’s series where the Blues triumphed with a scoreline of 2-1. The next game, Origin II, is set to take place at Suncorp Stadium on May 14, where Queensland will look to leverage their home ground advantage.
The anticipation for this series is palpable, especially with injuries impacting team dynamics. The Maroons will need to quickly adapt without Weale and Joseph as they prepare for their next challenge against New South Wales.
