Key events
That’s all from the live blog tonight, here’s Jack Snape’s match report:
Thanks so much for joining me, I hope you’ve enjoyed this three game series as much as I have. The last two years have certainly showed the benefits of the women getting a three game series and the appetite that exists for women’s rugby league. Keep up the passion and excitement into NRLW season everyone!
Good night!
Player of the Match: Jessika Elliston
Elliston accepts the player of the match award with bittersweet feelings, before dropping the medal as she walks away and quickly grabbing it from the soggy ground.
“We went into it going, we don’t do whitewash – Queensland don’t do whitewash,” she said. “So that was our whole mentality the whole time. And it was cool. Bittersweet. Could have done it from the first game. But hey we left it to last. But NSW played amazing. So good on them.”
Isabelle Kelly is on stage now to receive the shield for NSW.
“To the Queensland Maroons. We respect you guys so much for what you’ve been able to do over the last few years. It’s never an easy game. And you guys showcased tonight exactly what you’re all about and that Queensland spirit. So thank you.
“To the girls, our staff. It has been an unforgettable experience. It’s been an honour of mine to lead these girls. I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to do. I also want to thank our wider squad. This wouldn’t be possible without all of them and our three girls who didn’t get to take the field this series. They’re a massive part of why we’re so successful. So I just want to thank all of them. And to our fans, always turning up, coming to support us wherever we are. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you guys. So thank you so much. And thank you, Newcastle for turning up.”
Player of the Series: Olivia Kernick
A well deserved Nellie Doherty medal for Kernick, who had a sensational series, especially after missing Jillaroos selection late last year.
“To the fans for coming out – thank you,” she said. “To our friends and family as well. To the Queensland girls, unreal game, Game III. Hate youse. And to our staff, you’re unreal, we wouldn’t be able to get the series win without you.
“To my girls, honestly, we have had so many things personally happen to us and my favourite thing about this campaign is we’ve gotten around each other and we’ve been there for each other every step of the way, and I’ve had so much fun with you guys and really proud.”
Jesse Southwell is also feeling disappointed by the loss in front of her home crowd, but maintains her composure to speak extremely eloquently.
“Honestly, I’m not really sure how to feel or what to feel,” she said. “It’s pretty disappointing losing, and by that margin. But we had a great series and it’s probably fitting that it ended that way.”
Church is feeling some mixed emotions after that tough finish to the game.
“Obviously a bit of a disappointing end to the Game III, but we’ve still got to keep our spirits high,” she said. “We’re still going to get to lift the shield. We would have liked to have get that clean sweep, but it wasn’t meant to be today.”
Lenarduzzi is buzzing after the game, despite spending that last play in the sin bin. She has to raise her voice up over the boos of the crowd when she appears on screen.
“It’s Origin, so it didn’t matter that we’d lost the series, any Origin game is really important,” she said. “Shout out to the crowd. I actually love this. This is what makes sport really cool. So I’m cool with that.”
Full time: QLD 18-14 NSW
Well, what a lot of drama to finish that game! NSW put on a great set, tackled 10m out on the fifth tackle with eight seconds left on the clock. Lenarduzzi held Penitani Gray down in the tackle for a long time and was sin binned for her efforts – the crowd was very unhappy about this cynical play. NSW made one last desperate play for the line with no time left on the clock, but they couldn’t score – they lost the ball and for a second it looked like Queensland might even score one more, but eventually the game came to an end with a four-point win to Queensland.
Disappointment from the NSW players missing out on the clean sweep, but no doubt they will recover once they hold up that shield.
69 mins: Desperation defence from the Blues, with some strong tackles before forcing an error on the last tackle of the set and making one more play for the series whitewash. It’s a brilliant attacking set, with the fifth tackle 21m out. Southwell puts up a lovely little kick for Chapman and the Maroons are forced to hit it over the dead ball line.
67 mins: NSW attempt a short kick off, but it’s ruled to not have made the 10m and Queensland get the penalty, which is a disastrous result for the Blues.
GOAL! NSW 14-18 QLD (Brown 65′)
Brown’s tryscorers have been kind to her tonight, and she gets another close kick to knock over.
TRY! NSW 14-16 QLD (Lenarduzzi 64′)
The Maroons are pushing up at the Blues line and Teitzel nearly crashes over again, but the Blues hold her out. Aiken puts in a grubber and the referee rules that Kelleher knocked it on, which the Blues challenge, but it’s unsuccessful, even though it appears there are some Queensland hands in there. Penitani Gray makes a punishing tackle on Aiken on the first of the set, but the Blues can’t hold them out for long and Lenarduzzi falls over the line, covered in defenders who can’t stop her getting the ball down.
63 mins: Just as the Blues look like they’re in great position and ready to score, Clydsdale passes straight over the sideline and they hand the ball back to the Maroons. Another solid set from the Maroons is finished with a great midfield bomb by Brown, which Fressard can’t hold on to. The Maroons can’t control it either, but we come back to the scrum for the initial error.
61 mins: The Blues try to regroup after having so much thrown at them in defence and put in a solid attacking set, finished with yet another accurate and smart kick from Southwell. This buoys the Blues into a strong defensive set, pinning the Maroons inside their own 30m for the entire set, before forcing an error on the final tackle. This game has had so many momentum swings and it’s still anyone’s to win.
59 mins: Another determined set from the Maroons and the Blues defence must pull out some desperate moves to slow them down. The Blues drag Papali’i into touch on the fourth tackle, which will give them a sense of relief, as the Maroons looked like they were ready to score again.
57 mins: Brill has been ruled out of the game with a rib injury, which is unfortunate for her. However the Maroons aren’t slowing down even with that loss and they rush down field quickly and force Church to knock ball dead so they get the repeat set.
GOAL! NSW 14-12 QLD (Brown 55′)
Another simple kick from Brown and it’s game on with 15 mins to play!
TRY! NSW 14-10 QLD (Teitzel 53′)
Aiken puts in a good pass to Teitzel, who almost breaks through the line, but the Blues manage to stop her. But a few plays later they can’t stop her diving on the kick and she scores her first Origin try.
53 mins: A fumble from Queensland on fielding Southwell’s kick is ruled to be knocked back, but the Blues maintain strong defence to keep the Maroons in their own half. The Blues start their set well, but a forward pass midway through the set gives the Maroons the field position they’ve been looking for.
51 mins: Hannaway is on field now, in her debut for the Maroons. The Blues are riding the momentum of their last try and the vibes of the crowd. Southwell puts up another good kick.
GOAL! NSW 14-6 QLD (Southwell 49′)
Finally an easy position for Southwell and she makes no mistake in knocking it over the black dot.
TRY! NSW 12-6 QLD (Kelleher 48′)
Johnston is causing all sorts of trouble for the Maroons, pulling in multiple defenders to bring her down every time. Kernick gets over the line, but can’t get the ball down and it’s ruled held up. But only a few plays later, Kelleher finds space and her fresh legs carry her over the line to score close to the posts.
47 mins: Another solid, completed set from the Maroons, but they will want to start asking more questions of the Blues defence. Once again, it’s not a very inspiring kick from Aiken on the last and the Blues get a running start to their attacking set. Johnston crashes through with a great hit up and draws a penalty for the Blues.
45 mins: Brown puts up a high kick and Fressard can’t take it cleanly, but it goes backwards and then Teitzel knocks it on as she tries to gather it for the Maroons and the Blues get the scrum feed. Apps breaks through the line and finds space, but Maddick pulls her down and then Fressard is tackled over the sideline.
43 mins: Another pause, as Brill recovers from an awkward twist in the tackle. The game goes on while she’s still laying on the field getting treatment, which is a little odd. The Maroons make a play for the line, but the Blues defence is too strong. Another good kick from Southwell under pressure is allowed to bounce by the Maroons, but the ball falls favourably for them.
41 mins: Bass goes close to scoring, but lacks support at the end to pull off the four points and the Blues head back down the field with the ball. It’s a solid set, which Southwell finishes with a great kick, but Penitani Gray gives away a penalty with a high tackle on Bass right away, undoing Southwell’s good work.
39 mins: Almost immediately, the Blues make an error of their own, Johnston dropping the ball in the tackle. The Maroons get the scrum feed and another shot at the Blues’ line. In an injury update, it appears both Ciesiolka for the Maroons and Cherrington for the Blues won’t return to the field tonight, both nursing knee injuries.
37 mins: A great hit up from Lenarduzzi gets the Maroons off to a good start in this half, but a few tackles later they lose the ball. In both other games this series, they have had poor second halves, so they will want to bounce back from this and not let the half get away from them again.
And we’re back! The Blues have kicked off to get the second half underway…
If you’re looking for some half-time reading, brush up on Maroons’ 33-year-old debutant fullback Hayley Maddick’s history as a touch footy player in this great piece by Jack Snape.
Jayme Fressard is happy with her team’s efforts as she leaves the field for half-time, but is aware of the passion in the game.
“Obviously if we can we can keep them out, we win the game,” she said. “So for us, a bit of push and shove on both sides of the field, I feel like that’s what they’ve got. They’ve just got to try and get us angry.”
Half time: NSW 8-6 QLD
A relatively low-scoring half, though two tries were disallowed by the bunker after being given on field, so it felt like more scoring happened than it did. It’s been a half that’s had it all – from failed short kick offs, to penalties aplenty, to sensational tries and no small amount of biff. There’s certainly a lot of passion in this game and it doesn’t feel like a dead rubber in the slightest!
33 mins: Southwell comes close to converting the try, but the ball hits the upright and they have to make do with the two-point lead. Penitani Gray starts the set with a strong run, drawing a penalty to boot. A little pause as Ciesiolka has a bit of a knee niggle that is being looked at by the physio. She stays on the field, but is hobbling around and still doesn’t look quite right. Queensland give away yet another penalty and hand NSW more good field position.
TRY! NSW 8-6 QLD (Fressard 30′)
Another set for the Blues deep in Maroons territory, but the Maroons’ defence has been strong tonight after leaking tries in Game II. Southwell puts in a great grubber kick, Teitzel fields it and then immediately drops it and Church dives on it, gets it to Southwell, who throws a dummy, then lets it go to Fressard who dives over.
29 mins: Aiken looks to put a great tackle on Southwell, but the youngster stands up to it and manages to get away an offload before Aiken can get her on the ground. Church finishes the set with a deft kick and the Blues back it up by forcing Bass in goal to get the line drop out.
27 mins: A solid set for the Blues finishes with a pinpoint accurate kick from Southwell to trap the Maroons in the corner, but Maddick does well to avoid being stuck in goal. Aiken’s kick at the end of their set is disappointing, going out on the full.
25 mins: Just as I say they’re energised, the Blues lose the ball and Queensland look for a quick pick up and run, but they can’t hold it either, so they have to make do with the scrum feed. A great tackle from Penitani Gray slows the momentum down for the Maroons and then NSW force a changeover on tackle six.
23 mins: A tricky kick from the right edge is missed by Southwell, so the Maroons keep their noses in front. The Blues look energised after finally getting those points on the board and they push on towards Maroons’ territory.
TRY! NSW 4-6 QLD (Sergis 20′)
Sergis makes no mistake and that ball is as grounded as you could imagine a ball being and finally the Blues are on the board!
21 mins: There’s some confusion about how to proceed because nothing really happened to rule on – Kelly never lost the ball or left the field or was held up. In the end, they play it as if it was held up, the Blues put up a kick and the Maroons field it, but make an error early in the set to give the Blues another chance.
The NSW chant goes up around the stadium as the Blues get very close to the line. The Maroons defence is outstanding for a long time, but they can’t hold them out forever and after moving the ball all the way across the field, Kelly sees a gap in the defence and steps neatly into it to score. Or does she? Once again the bunker step in and say she never grounded the ball and the try is taken away.
18 mins: Weale is ruled to have knocked on, but the Maroons successfully challenge the decision and can continue on with their set. Aiken’s kick isn’t a brilliant one to finish the set however, it goes straight down Church’s throat and the Blues start their set with momentum. We get the first biff of the night between Chapman and Robinson and NSW get a penalty out of it.
16 mins: Southwell finishes the set with a great kick and Clydsdale gets the ball with space at the line, but the Maroons close ranks in defence and hold her out. They back it up by getting a penalty early in the next set and marching back down field.
14 mins: A solid set from Queensland and Church takes the high kick strongly at the end of it – they won’t make the mistake of letting the ball bounce again. They will be looking to complete their set after a few mistakes through the start of this game. The Blues pick up a penalty, which gets them up past the Maroons’ 40m line with six tackles in hand. Sergis makes a searching run up a field, which adds some spark to the attack.
12 mins: The Blues get a penalty early in the set and will be hoping to continue this momentum swing their way. Penitani Gray pulls out a forward-like hit up, but Kelly drops the ball on the next play to hand the ball back to Queensland.
10 mins: The Maroons charge back down field and the Blues have to keep their defence strong, as it continues to be tested. They nearly make an error on the fourth tackle, but Aiken hangs on and then Brown puts up a sensational kick, that the Blues let bounce. Bass looks certain to score, but Church holds her up over the line and it’s a changeover with NSW to get the ball at last.
GOAL! NSW 0-6 QLD (Brown, 8′)
An easy shot for Brown and the Maroons are flying.
TRY! NSW 0-4 QLD (Weale, 7′)
The Maroons are really testing the NSW defence, moving the ball wide, from edge to edge and finally they’re rewarded, with Weale crashing over in the centre after the defence was stretched.
6 mins: Some great ball playing from the Maroons inside the Blues’ 20m nearly leads to a try – in fact, referee Sharpe awards it. But the Bunker sticks their nose in and rules that Lofipo puts her hand on the dead ball line as she scores and overrules the decision. The Blues get the ball back, but immediately make an error with the slippery ball and give the Maroons another shot to open their account. The Blues defend their line very hard and the ball goes dead in goal, but it’s ruled to come off the Blues, so there’ll be a line drop out.
4 mins: Chapman nearly scores at the end of that set, but another try saving tackle from Robinson pulls her off the field as she attempts to score in the corner. Queensland get their first use of the ball and almost immediately, the Blues give away a penalty and they get some good field position after their horror start.
2 mins: Well there couldn’t have been a worse start from the Maroons, who attempt a short kick off for some reason – the element of surprise maybe? It doesn’t make the 10 metres and NSW get the ball in great field position. Quick as flash the Blues are deep in Maroons territory, Sergis makes a break and Robinson pulls off a try saving tackle, knocking the ball on in the process and the Blues get another set.
And we’re off! Queensland has kicked off and the game is underway.
The teams are out on the field now, with the Welcome to Country being delivered by Kumarah Kelly and the national anthem performed by Leigh Archer.
For the Maroons, Lauren Brown with her first start in halfback in Origin is determined that her team is pumped to win this game, despite the fact that the series win is out of the question.
“You never know with this rain what’s going to happen, but we’re a very pumped Queensland team ready to win this game,” she says.
Kicking off the broadcast coverage with a classic Gus Gould monologue, talking up the possibility of the Blues’ first whitewash – men’s or women’s – since 2000. Blues’ five-eighth Tiana Penitani Gray is excited by the prospect, but emphasises the team isn’t getting ahead of itself.
“It would mean the world, there’s such a rich history in this series,” she says. “But just to hold up the shield for the first time in a three match series will be amazing.”
A late change for Queensland, with Emily Bass coming from the reserves into the starting line, playing in the centres for Rory Owen, who has been ruled out of the match. Georgia Hannaway will make her debut for the Maroons tonight from the interchange bench.
Team list: NSW
1. Abbi Church
2. Jaime Chapman
3. Jessica Sergis
4. Isabelle Kelly
5. Jayme Fressard
6. Tiana Penitani Gray
7. Jesse Southwell
8. Simaima Taufa
9. Keeley Davis
10. Ellie Johnston
11. Kezie Apps
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Olivia Kernick
Interchange:
14. Jocelyn Kelleher
15. Kennedy Cherrington
16. Sarah Togatuki
17. Emma Verran
Reserves:
18. Olivia Higgins
Team list: Queensland
1. Hayley Maddick
2. Julia Robinson
3. Shenae Ciesiolka
19. Emily Bass
5. Jasmine Peters
6. Tarryn Aiken
7. Lauren Brown
8. Makenzie Weale
9. Destiny Brill
10. Jessika Elliston
11. Sienna Lofipo
12. Romy Teitzel
16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Interchange:
13. Ali Brigginshaw
14. Georgia Hannaway
15. Sophie Holyman
17. Tavarna Papalii
Reserves:
18. Jada Ferguson
Preamble
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Megan Maurice
Hello everyone and welcome to Origin III! I missed live blogging the last one with you all due to being at the game, live and in person, which was very exciting – fortunately I was safely undercover, unlike the players.
It looks like things will be mostly dry in Newcastle tonight, which I’m sure will be a welcome change from the swimming pool the players waded through in Sydney two weeks ago.
Now of course the elephant in the room is that this is a dead rubber – NSW took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after winning in Sydney, so it is only pride on the line for Queensland tonight, while NSW will be motivated by securing the whitewash (bluewash?)
For the Blues, John Strange has made no changes going into the final game of the series, meaning the same 17 players will line up in all three games. Meanwhile, it’s quite a different story for the Maroons, with injuries to star fullback Tamika Upton and lock Keilee Joseph.
Despite the match being a dead rubber, there’s hope the crowd will still turn up in numbers tonight. Game I of the series set a new crowd record, while over 16,000 braved the rain in Sydney. Newcastle represented hard last year in torrential rain, so let’s see if they can do the same this year!
Kick off is at 7.45pm AEST, which isn’t too far away, so let’s get into it and count down to this final match of the series!
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