Women's Origin Game Two: Maroons v Blues
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Can the Westpac NSW Blues wrap up a series victory in enemy territory or will hometown heroes Queensland strike back to send us to a decider?
Opening night of Magic Round 2026 delivers a classic State of Origin showdown stacked with mouth-watering head-to-head battles and everything to play for at a heaving Suncorp Stadium.
After the Blues prevailed in a tense series opener in Newcastle, it's over to Nathan Cross' Maroons to find the answers with Lauren Brown and Chantay Kiria-Ratu steering the ship.
The Blues will look to go straight through the front door early courtesy of Millie Elliott and Ellie Johnston before their classy backline is unleashed in a bid to wrap up back-to-back series wins.
Follow all the action of Ampol Women's State of Origin Game 2 on NRL.com's live blog.
Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
23rd minute: The Blues have their second. The pressure continued to build on the Maroons after Jesse Southwell forced a line dropout. The hosts eventually cracked, Keeley Nizza throwing a dummy and burrowing over from dummy half to extend her side's lead. Maroons 0 - Blues 8
21st minute: NSW have lodged a Captain's Challenge after Olivia Kernick was ruled to have knocked the ball on. The forward juggled the ball as a defender approached but tapped it back before it touched Jessika Elliston. The loose ball was then knocked on by Keilee Joseph. It's a successful challenge and NSW have an attacking scrum 10 metres out from the try line. Maroons 0 - Blues 4.
18th minute: The Blues are under siege but their goal-line defence continues to hold firm. Tamika Upton picked up a loose ball and ran 50 metres to put her side in attacking territory and the Maroons worked their way to the goal line, but an error on the last tackle brought an end to the opportunity. Both coaches have started turning to their benches, with fresh legs coming on to the field after a frenetic start to the game. Maroons 0 - Blues 4.
13th minute: Now it's NSW's turn to aim up defensively after Queensland produced a series of powerful carries to flip the field. An error handed the Maroons an attacking opportunity and Tamika Upton came agonisingly close to scoring but was held just short of the line. Maroons 0 - Blues 4.
Jaime Chapman Try
9th minute: The Blues have struck first to silence the Suncorp Stadium crowd. It was the second time NSW attacked down the right edge, the first play came unstuck but on this occasion Jess Sergis did enough to draw in Julia Robinson and send Jaime Chapman over for the try. Maroons 0 - Blues 4
The famous Queensland spirit
3rd minute: NSW have the first opportunity of the contest after an early penalty however the Queensland defence is up to the task. It's an important stop for the Maroons, who force an error and regain possession. Maroons 0 - Blues 0.
Origin II is underway!
Kick-off: Game Two of the Women's State of Origin series is underway as Queensland look to keep the series alive in wet conditions in Brisbane. The Maroons have the advantage of home turf but NSW have never lost at Suncorp Stadium. Fullback Tamika Upton will play a key role for Queensland, while Jessica Sergis shapes as a gamebreaker for the Blues. Maroons 0 - Blues 0.
From the sheds: Tamika Upton
Late Mail
Maroons: Two changes for Queensland in Thursday's 60-minute update, with Destiny Brill coming into the starting side at hooker and Jada Ferguson shifting to the interchange. Emma Manzelmann also comes on to the bench, with Shenae Ciesiolka reverting to 18th player. A hamstring injury to Game One debutant Phoenix-Rain Hippi has seen Maroons coach Nathan Cross call in versatile North Queensland back Jasmine Peters on the wing. Destiny Brill, who was 18th player in Newcastle but was brought into the action after Keilee Joseph and Makenzie Weale suffered head knocks, has been elevated into the 17, with Emma Manzelmann moving to the reserves. After being a late withdrawal from Game One, Brianna Clark comes back onto the bench, with Chelsea Lenarduzzi shifting to the reserves. Otesa Pule, who scored Queensland's only try in Newcastle in her debut, will start. Raiders forward Sophie Holyman and Broncos recruit Lillian Yarrow have been called in to train with the squad while Joseph and Weale see out the 11-day stand-down concussion protocols. Destiny Mino-Sinapati dropped out when the squad was cut to 19 on Wednesday.
Blues: Olivia Higgins will start at hooker in the only change for the Blues in their final team update. Keeley Nizza moves to the interchange as a result, with Corban Baxter remaining in the squad as 18th player. Tiana Penitani Gray, who played second row in Game One, has been ruled out with a knee injury. Māori All Stars and Jillaroos forward Rima Butler comes into the 17 for her Origin debut. Kezie Apps moves from the bench to the starting side in the second-row position. Dragons forward Hannah Southwell was the new face in the squad of 20 but she made way when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off.
Numbers Game
- The Maroons’ last four tries have been scored by forwards.
- The Blues have won both Women’s Origin games played at Suncorp Stadium (2024 and 2025).
- The Maroons have been outscored 16 tries to seven in their last four games.
Blues centre Jess Sergis has scored three tries in her last four Origin games. - Maroons halfback Lauren Brown has a 90 percent goalkicking record in State of Origin (18 from 20).
