New South Wales claim Women's State of Origin with thrilling win over Queensland
NSW have reclaimed the Women’s State of Origin shield, winning a pulsating encounter against Queensland 20-14 with dynamic centre Isabelle Kelly winning the Nellie Doherty Medal.
Minutes after Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw hit the post with a conversion attempt that would have tied the scores with 12 minutes to play on Friday, Kelly capped a stunning 192m, 10-tackle bust display with the sealing try.
In front of a Women’s Origin record 11,321 fans at Canberra’s GIO Stadium, the Blues put two years of heartbreak behind them, grabbing an overall 3-2 lead in series victories since the Origin clashes officially began in 2018.
In a rollercoaster finish, Queensland looked to have scored to steal the win with four minutes to play, but NSW fans were sent into raptures as the try was denied by the bunker with winger Julia Robinson judged offside on the proceeding kick.
Fresh from a Gatorade drenching to celebrate the feat, NSW coach Kylie Hilder spoke of the pride she had for her victorious side.
“This team won’t be the same moving forward, it never is, your Origin sides always change,” she told reporters.
“So on occasions where we’ve just won, we’re going to make sure that we really celebrate this win because come 2023 this same group of people won’t be the same.
“We’ve been building towards this for two years, we’ve spent the year putting this team together and we’re really close.
“The bond we have as a team, not just on the field but off it as well, and I think that showed out on the field.”
They’d jumped to a 12-4 win courtesy of first-half tries for Emma Tonegato and Kirra Dib, while four goals from halfback Rachael Pearson meant they always kept their noses in front.
Origin games are often won in the middle and this clash was no different, with emphatic displays from NSW props Simaima Taufa (125m and 32 tackles) and Millie Boyle (118m and 28 tackles) to go with Kelly’s brilliance.
“Samaima Taufa is a freak,” Hilder told reporters.
“I’ve got the best outside backs in the game, but I’ve also got the best middles in the game at the moment and when you’re blessed with that it’s pretty easy to put things together.”
Reigning Dally M winner Tonegato was also outstanding, the rugby sevens Olympic gold medallist continuing her summit of another code with some sizzling runs and her side’s first try, planting a cheeky dummy-half grubber kick from Keeley Davis.
Queensland led early through lock Destiny Brill as she crashed over on eight minutes, but they struggled at times to contain the dynamic NSW attack hell-bent on reclaiming the shield.
Tarryn Aiken and Brigginshaw controlled things via the boot with 301 kicking metres, but discipline got the Maroons in the end with Pearson’s penalty goals always keeping the Blues’ nose in front.
The disallowed try that could have won the shield was a brutal blow for Queensland coach Tahnee Norris.
“It was a tough one, I’m still feeling at the moment obviously and will for a while,” she told reporters.
“We just couldn’t capitalise on a couple of opportunities there and the girls fought right to the end. … it was a roller coaster and disappointing to come away with a loss.
“To see the girls put in so much effort (and lose) really, really hurt.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Ouch. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to comments