Own the Origin plays: The moments inspiring Blues bid for victory
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Jocelyn Kelleher rushes out of the line to put a big hit on. Abbi Church makes a desperate cover tackle to deny a try. Jesse Southwell steps up to nail the first field goal of her career.
They’re the moments that define Origin matches and the Blues are determined to build a series victory on those plays.
NSW won the big moments in Game One at McDonald Jones Stadium and ultimately the match after key players stood tall to produce the match-defining plays.
Southwell all class
With the series shifting to Brisbane for the second contest on Thursday night, the Blues know they need the same level of desperation at Suncorp Stadium if they are to close out the series.
“Origin is a moments game,” Apps said. “Having the players that we do who can create those moments is so important.
“Jocelyn stepped up in that moment and wanted to do something for our team and it paid off. We scored the next set.
“They’re the moments that Origin is all about. It’s about taking those moments when they show up and that was something we did.”
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The two teams will resume hostilities at Suncorp Stadium in the opening night of Magic Round. A record crowd is expected, with more than 27,000 likely to pile in to watch the clash.
Queensland have a long and proud history of producing Origin plays but the Blues are determined to beat them at their own game on their home turf.
NSW players don’t have to look back too far to see the impact of winning the big moments.
Kelleher forces an error
Kelleher’s tackle came at a pivotal point in the second half. The Blues had dominated the opening eight minutes after the break and generated multiple attacking opportunities but couldn’t break down the Maroons defensive wall.
Apps was tackled on the last, handing Queensland a reprieve and it looked as though the pressure valve had been released.
Up stepped the NSW five-eighth for a bone-crunching tackle on Rory Owen that forced the ball free. The Blues instantly capitalised, Ellie Johnston crashing over from the ensuing set of six.
Twelve minutes later, NSW were scrambling to defend their own tryline. The scores were locked at 6-all and captain Isabelle Kelly was down in back-play with an ankle injury.
Queensland looked destined to capitalise when a gap opened up and Keilee Joseph charged to the line. Yasmin Meakes turned in to close the hole, while Church came scrambling across to meet the Maroons forward head on.
Together, the pair forced the ball free and the Blues held on.
“You’re trying to do whatever it takes to defend the line for your teammates,” Church told NRL.com. “There was a split second where I thought they were going to the other side and a few of us did, which opened up the space.
“Yasmin’s ability to come in to help make that tackle shows that our team never gives up and we’ll do whatever it takes to defend our line and get the win.
“The game’s on the line at that point. We knew they were going to keep throwing whatever they could at us. I knew I had to do whatever I could to put my body on the line for the team.”
The final match-defining moment came in the 63rd minute when Southwell calmly stepped up to kick the game-winning field goal.
The halfback had an attempt charged down minutes earlier, while Queensland halfback Lauren Brown had missed a shot of her own in the previous set.
The Blues stop a certain try
Southwell’s kick buried the demons of 2024, when Brown sunk a one-pointer in the rain to break the Blues’ hearts at a sold-out McDonald Jones Stadium.
While they were good in Game One a fortnight ago, NSW recognise they will have to improve if they are to topple a desperate Maroons side on their home turf.
The lessons of the result, however, will be ringing in their ears as the Blues eye a 2-nil series lead.
“We’ve tried to focus on our processes and playing our game but we know in Origin there are going to be big moments that will shift the momentum in the game,” Church said.
“To come up with a play that shifts the momentum and puts us back on the front foot is important. You know they’re going to be out there, you never expect to be the one doing it, but it’s something that happens and you have to take it when it comes.”
Tickets for Game Two of the Women's State of Origin series are available from $10 for kids and $20 for adults. Click here to get your tickets and witness history live.
