Lock switch continues for Brigginshaw as Origin teams named
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Ali Brigginshaw's recent switch to lock looks set to continue in Harvey Norman Women's State of Origin after the Dally M Medal winner was named in Queensland's No.13 jersey on Tuesday.
Brigginshaw will lead the Maroons for a third time under the Origin banner on Friday night as she desperately looks to end a recent run of Blues dominance.
The lock experiment paid dividends for Brigginshaw and the Broncos in their recent NRLW campaign and the Maroons coaching staff, led by coach Jason Hetherington, wasted no time in continuing that.
Queensland have struggled to score points in recent Origin fixtures with just 14 in their last two games. They scored just one try in last year's 60-minute clash at North Sydney Oval.
Match: QLD Maroons v NSW Women
Round 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Sky Blues
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for QLD Maroons is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for NSW Women is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
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Winger for QLD Maroons is number 2 Shenae CiesiolkaWinger for NSW Women is number 2 Jessica Sergis
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Centre for QLD Maroons is number 3 Julia RobinsonCentre for NSW Women is number 3 Tiana Penitani
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Centre for QLD Maroons is number 4 Lauren BrownCentre for NSW Women is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
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Winger for QLD Maroons is number 5 Karina BrownWinger for NSW Women is number 5 Shanice Parker
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Five-Eighth for QLD Maroons is number 6 Tarryn AikenFive-Eighth for NSW Women is number 6 Corban McGregor
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Halfback for QLD Maroons is number 7 Zahara TemaraHalfback for NSW Women is number 7 Melanie Howard
Forwards
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Prop for QLD Maroons is number 8 Chelsea LenarduzziProp for NSW Women is number 8 Simaima Taufa
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Hooker for QLD Maroons is number 9 Brittany BreayleyHooker for NSW Women is number 20 Kylie Hilder
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Prop for QLD Maroons is number 14 Rona PetersProp for NSW Women is number 10 Millie Boyle
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2nd Row for QLD Maroons is number 11 Tallisha Harden2nd Row for NSW Women is number 11 Kezie Apps
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2nd Row for QLD Maroons is number 12 Tazmin Gray2nd Row for NSW Women is number 12 Shaylee Bent
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Lock for QLD Maroons is number 13 Ali BrigginshawLock for NSW Women is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
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Interchange for QLD Maroons is number 10 Stephanie HancockInterchange for NSW Women is number 14 Quincy Dodd
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Interchange for QLD Maroons is number 15 Annette BranderInterchange for NSW Women is number 15 Filomina Hanisi
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Interchange for QLD Maroons is number 16 Shannon MatoInterchange for NSW Women is number 16 Sarah Togatuki
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Interchange for QLD Maroons is number 17 Shaniah PowerInterchange for NSW Women is number 17 Yasmin Meakes
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Shayne Hayne
Last updated:
The change will allow Brigginshaw's Broncos teammate Tarryn Aiken and returning Maroons halfback Zahara Temara to combine in the halves, while the skipper can act as an additional playmaker and link with Tamika Upton in the middle.
Upton's selection is crucial to the Maroons' chances of victory on the Sunshine Coast with the rising star set to join Broncos trio Julia Robinson, Lauren Brown, Shenae Csieolka in a new-look backline.
Former Maroons captain Karina Brown is the only member of the backline who was part of last year's Origin defeat.
Hetherington's forward pack is far more settled with the additions of Brittany Breayley and Rona Peters, both of whom missed the NRLW season due to family commitments, added bonuses.
Breayley could go the full distance in the increased 70-minute game, however, Peters has also proven to be a capable back-up dummy half if required.
Qld Maroons v NSW Women
NSW, who have spent the past fortnight in Queensland as per quarantine requirements, confirmed a host of changes to last year's successful side.
Coach Andrew Patmore named Roosters pair Corban McGregor and Melanie Howard to start in the halves with Botille Vette-Welsh promoted to fullback after coming off the bench in 2019.
Patmore has shifted Dragons star Jessica Sergis to the wing in a similar move to last year's backline with Tiana Penitani named in the centres alongside Isabelle Kelly.
Kelly has been included in the starting 13 along with inspirational captain Kezie Apps, who has overcome a knee injury.
Among the potential debutantes named in the starting side for the defending champions are Howard, Keeley Davis, Shanice Parker and Shaylee Bent.
Boyle back in blue and ready to hoist another trophy
Patmore will also blood his entire bench, all of whom are yet to play at Origin level.
There was no room in the initial 17 for boom rookie Kennedy Cherrington, although the Roosters forward could still be a late inclusion.
