Maroons v Blues: Injury rules out key trio; Strange sticks solid
New South Wales have their eyes set on creating history against Queensland, aiming to secure a maiden series whitewash.
After missing out on their opportunity to claim the spoils last year where the Maroons gutsed out an 18-14 win in Newcastle without their skipper Tamika Upton, John Strange and his charges are determined not to miss the mark again.
In Game Three on the Gold Coast, the home side will again be missing captain Upton, who was ruled out with injury alongside strike back Julia Robinson and forward Makenzie Weale.
Gold Coast local Destiny Mino-Sinapati has been named to make her debut in the fullback role, with forward Lillian Yarrow also called in on the bench for her first State of Origin appearance.
The Maroons will have their backs against the wall against a settled Blues side and will be playing for pride to once again deny their opponents a series sweep.
This season, the Women’s State of Origin will be played under virtually unchanged rules from 2025, with four players on the bench and no set re-starts.
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Teams news
Maroons: After being named in the extended squad for the opening two matches, Destiny Mino-Sinapati will get her opportunity to debut, named to start at fullback for the injured Tamika Upton. Julia Robinson has also been ruled out, bringing Shenae Ciesiolka onto the wing. With starting prop Makenzie Weale a third player to be ruled out with injury, Broncos recruit Lillian Yarrow has been brought onto the bench for her Origin debut. Sharks back Georgia Ravics is the new face in the squad of 20.
Blues: Having wrapped up the series at Suncorp Stadium, coach John Strange has named an unchanged side as his side targets a whitewash. Olivia Higgins was a late switch to start last game and has been named at hooker for Game Three. Teagan Berry, who came on just before half-time for Jayme Fressard on the wing and later pulled off a game-saving tackle, has again been named to come from the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Maroons is number 1 Destiny Mino-SinapatiFullback for Blues Women is number 1 Abbi Church
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Winger for Maroons is number 2 Shenae CiesiolkaWinger for Blues Women is number 2 Jaime Chapman
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Centre for Maroons is number 3 Rory OwenCentre for Blues Women is number 3 Jessica Sergis
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Centre for Maroons is number 4 Ivana LolesioCentre for Blues Women is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
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Winger for Maroons is number 5 Jasmine PetersWinger for Blues Women is number 5 Jayme Fressard
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Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Chantay Kiria-RatuFive-Eighth for Blues Women is number 6 Jocelyn Kelleher
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Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Lauren BrownHalfback for Blues Women is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
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Prop for Maroons is number 8 Otesa PuleProp for Blues Women is number 8 Millie Elliott
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Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Destiny BrillHooker for Blues Women is number 9 Olivia Higgins
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Prop for Maroons is number 10 Jessika EllistonProp for Blues Women is number 10 Ellie Johnston
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Sienna Lofipo2nd Row for Blues Women is number 11 Kezie Apps
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Blues Women is number 12 Yasmin Meakes
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Lock for Maroons is number 13 Keilee JosephLock for Blues Women is number 13 Olivia Kernick
Interchange
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Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Emma ManzelmannInterchange for Blues Women is number 14 Keeley Nizza
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Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Brianna ClarkInterchange for Blues Women is number 15 Kennedy Cherrington
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Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Lillian YarrowInterchange for Blues Women is number 16 Rima Butler
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Interchange for Maroons is number 17 Jada FergusonInterchange for Blues Women is number 17 Teagan Berry
Reserves
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Replacement for Maroons is number 18 Chelsea LenarduzziReplacement for Blues Women is number 18 Quincy Dodd
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Reserve for Maroons is number 19 Sophie HolymanReserve for Blues Women is number 19 Corban Baxter
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Reserve for Maroons is number 20 Georgia RavicsReserve for Blues Women is number 20 Hannah Southwell
Maroons Ins
- Chelsea Lenarduzzi
- Destiny Mino-Sinapati
- Georgia Ravics
- Lillian Yarrow
- Sophie Holyman
Blues Women Ins
- Hannah Southwell
- Quincy Dodd
Maroons Outs
- Julia Robinson
- Makenzie Weale
- Tamika Upton
Blues Women Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Maroons won Game 3 in 2024 and 2025.
- The Blues have won four of the last five Women’s Origin fixtures.
- The Maroons have lost four of their last five Origin games played in Queensland.
- Blues centre Jess Sergis has scored four tries in her last five Origin appearances.
- The Maroons have averaged only eight points per game in 2026.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
