'I want to show we're better': Fired up Owen seeking elusive win

Rory Owen is, quite simply, a footballer. A special one at that, according to Queensland Maroons coach Nathan Cross.

The 22-year-old centre, in her fourth appearance for the Maroons, was all fire in Queensland's 14-10 loss to New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium in Origin II. All fire but still burning for her first win donning maroon.

“Mate, she’s special,” Cross said, adding Owen was a pleasure to have in the team.

“She is a footy player. Raw speed, speed is power… we saw that (against New South Wales) and I don’t think she realises how good she could be. She certainly announced herself.”

The Parramatta Eels centre scored Queensland’s first try and showed plenty of go-forward with two line breaks and seven tackle breaks.

The Maroons never drifted far from the contest - and remained in it until the very end with Jasmine Peters getting ever so close to sealing a win for Queensland.

However, too many errors throughout the game proved the difference, with the Maroons completing just 19 of their 33 sets of possession. Owen was honest in her assessment.

“There were a lot of errors, which we’re pretty disappointed in,” she said.

“It’s a team game, we all back each other, and I don’t think it was any one of us… we just had certain moments where the momentum went against us and the Blues got up.

"But we were definitely in it until the very end … I think that shows how relentless we are. I know we could have come back. I think it was our game to win, despite the Blues being a good side. I think we’re just as good and we can get there.”

That belief was backed by effort across the park, including one of Owen’s most complete Origin performances to date.

She was heavily involved on both sides of the ball. She carried strongly out of Queensland’s end, helped stabilise defensive sets against a powerful Blues attack, and consistently looked to create opportunities down her edge.

Owen's involvement reflected a player growing in confidence at the highest level - demanding the ball, embracing contact and competing in key moments.

“It felt so good,” she said. “I’ve always dreamed of having a really good game.”

But, like the team, her focus remains on what’s missing.

“I’m still looking for a win… but I’m really proud of myself,” she said.

The journey for this Queensland side is being shaped by belief - instilled and still evolving.

Following Game I, the coaching staff reinforced that the Maroons are more than capable of matching the Blues. But, as Owen acknowledged, belief must come from within the playing group.

The Maroons are building with young players stepping into the Origin arena and learning under pressure. It can be intimidating. But Owen is clear: they belong.

“It’s on us to believe in ourselves,” she said. "The Blues have a lot of big names, so I think with us younger girls coming through, and they’ve still got all their older players, it can be pretty intimidating but what we need to remember is we’re good too and we deserve to be here too.”

That mindset will define Game III. Because across the opening two games, the margins have been painfully thin - an 11-6 defeat in Newcastle and 14-10 in Brisbane. And both games were decided late. What’s needed now is refinement.

“We’re a team that could’ve won either game,” Owen said. “It’s on us … our mistakes, our disbelief that has stopped us and blocked us from getting there. What we need now is more discipline and belief.”

Owen was quick to highlight teammates who always stand up for Queensland including halfback Lauren Brown and captain Tamika Upton.

“When I’m unsure, I look at her and she makes me feel sure,” Owen said.

It’s that connection — between the spine, edges and effort players like Owen — that Queensland will rely on in the decider. And for Owen, pulling on the Maroons jersey adds meaning beyond performance.

“It means everything,” she said. “I’m representing my friends, my family.”