'Blue rinse': Missed shot at history driving back-to-back bid

NSW players are still hurting from their failure to achieve an historic clean sweep in last year's Origin series and are aiming to not only retain the Shield but complete a "Blue rinse".

The Westpac NSW Blues kick off their 2026 campaign against Queensland at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 30, the same venue where they fell short in Game 3 last year.

The Blues won the series but star forward Kezie Apps said they had unfinished business after missing the opportunity to complete an historic sweep.

"We were very disappointed in Game 3 last year, so we are extremely motivated," Apps said.

"We wanted to obviously take out all three games but it didn't go that way so that is still a sore spot for us.

“We won the series, but that’s not how we wanted to finish our campaign ... and definitely, that's our goal now, to go back-to-back but also to get the Blue wash”.

The Women's State of Origin series only expanded from two matches to three in 2024 after being played as a stand-alone game until 2023, and NSW were the first team with a chance of a cleansweep.

Falling short has made the Blues realise how hard it is to achieve, with the last 3-0 series win in the Men's Origin being in 2010, and Apps said they were determined to make amends in what shapes as another blockbuster series.

The Origin draw adds another challenge for NSW, with Game 2 and Game 3 in Queensland - on May 14 at Suncorp Stadium as part of NRL Magic Round and May 28 at Cbus Super Stadium, which could host a showstopping decider.

The Blues enter the 2026 series as the defending champions, following a revamp under coach John Strange that saw NSW win last year's opening two games comfortably.

With Jillaroos props Millie Elliot and Caitlan Johnston-Green available for selection after returning from pregnancy, the Blues forward depth could be even stronger.

Elliott joined Apps for a photo shoot to promote the new season Best & Less State of Origin official fan gear, along with Maroons prop Shannon Mato, who is also returning after pregnancy, and centre Rory Owen.

Elliott and Mato's babies, Gigi and Charnze-Pati, also modelled the infant range. 

“It’s so exciting to see the likes of Millie and Caitlan coming back into our game and into our training squad," Apps said. 

“Origin is the hardest game that we will play. Every year gets faster and a lot harder, so we have to train like that.

"Obviously, they were pregnant at this time last year and to see how hard they have worked to get to this position to be a part of the squad is exciting."

The Blues will be without utility Emma Verran, who is pregnant, and injured forward Simaima Taufa.

The Raiders co-captain is recovering from wrist surgery at the end of the 2025 season and will miss the Origin series but hopes to be fit for the start of the NRLW season in July.

Taufa played prop in last year's Origin, while Verran deputised for Keeley Davis at dummy-half.

Strange has hookers Quincy Dodd and Olivia Higgins in his squad, as well as Davis, while 20-year-old Dragons playmaker Kasey Reh could be another option to replace Verran on the bench.   

The NSW squad for Origin I in Newcastle will be announced on Wednesday at Sydney Opera House.