New South Wales women's rugby league team

The New South Wales Women's rugby league team represents the Australian state of New South Wales in Women's rugby league football. Also known as the Sky Blues due to their sky blue jerseys, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against the neighboring team, the Queensland Women's rugby league team.[1][2][3]

New South Wales Women
Team information
NicknameSky Blues
Governing bodyNew South Wales Women's Rugby League
RegionNew South Wales
Head coachKylie Hilder
Home stadiumNorth Sydney Oval
Team results
First game
(1999)
Biggest win
New South Wales 22–6 Queensland
(WIN Stadium, Wollongong, NSW; 23 July 2017)

History

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The first state of Origin match began in 1999. Since that time, a 17-year reign had been completed by the Queensland side.

New South Wales won their first interstate challenge in 2016 after coming so close to winning in 2015, drawing with Queensland 4 all. New South Wales would then win back to back title winning in 2017. In 2018 New South Wales won the first ever Women's State of Origin match which was held at North Sydney Oval in mid-2018.NSW retained the shield with a win once again at North Sydney Oval in 2019.

Players

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New South Wales women's squad for the first match of the three-match series was announced on 8 May 2024.[4] The first match was played on 16 May 2023. The second match was played on 6 June 2024 with an unchanged team. The squad named for the third match was also unchanged, although Olivia Kernick was named in jersey 13, reflecting the position, lock, which she played in the first two matches.[5]

Current squad

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Table last updated 28 June 2024. Tallies in the table include the third match of the 2024 series against Queensland.

J# Player Age Position(s) New South Wales 2024 State Club NRLW Tests All
Stars
Dbt M T G Pts Club M 2024 Club CM TM
1 Emma Tonegato 29 Fullback 2012 8 2 0 8 0   Sharks 9 22   9   1
2 Jaime Chapman 22 Wing 2023 5 3 0 12   Seagulls 1   Titans 9 23   5   4
3 Jessica Sergis 26 Centre 2017 10 5 0 20 0   Roosters 18 28   7
4 Isabelle Kelly 27 Centre 2015 13 5 0 20 0   Roosters 30 32   13   1
5 Tiana Penitani 28 Wing 2019 8 4 0 16 0   Sharks 9 25   1   1
6 Corban Baxter 30 Five-eighth 2015 10 1 0 4 0   Roosters 22 22   7   1   4
7 Rachael Pearson 30 Halfback 2022 5 0 11 22 0   Eels 6 18
8 Millie Elliott 26 Prop 2019 9 0 0 0 0   Roosters 8 28   1
9 Olivia Higgins 31 Hooker 2024 3 0 0 0 0   Knights 18 25
10 Caitlan Johnston 23 Prop 2022 4 0 0 0 0   Knights 18 21   4   4
11 Kezie Apps 33 Second-row 2014 14 2 0 8   Clydesdales 3   Tigers 7 26   15   2
12 Yasmin Clydsdale 30 Second-row 2020 8 1 0 4 0   Knights 18 29   6
13 Olivia Kernick 23 Lock, Second-row 2022 6 0 0 0   Seagulls 4   Roosters 23 23   6   2   2
14 Taliah Fuimaono 25 Hooker, Five-eighth 2023 5 0 0 0 0   Titans 1 14   1   3   4
15 Keeley Davis 23 Lock, Hooker 2021 7 1 0 4   Clydesdales 4   Roosters 9 32   6
16 Grace Kemp 23 Prop, Lock 2024 3 0 0 0 0   Raiders 9 9   1
17 Sarah Togatuki 26 Prop, Lock 2020 8 0 0 0 0   Tigers 7 26   1
18 Jakiya Whitfeld 23 Wing, Centre 0 0 0 0   Cutters 2   Cowboys 0 11   1
19 Kirra Dibb 26 Halfback, Five-eighth 2019 2 1 1 6 0   Cowboys 9 27   1   3
20 Ellie Johnston 23 Prop, Second-row 0 0 0 0 0   Sharks 9 24

Notes

  • Age is at 28 June 2024.
  • Emma Tonegato played for the New South Wales women's rugby league team in 2012 and 2013.[6]

Key to icons used in the above table

Results

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Results From 1999–2005
Year Date Winner Score Loser Ground
1999 July 4 Queensland[7] 16–14 New South Wales ANZ Stadium (Brisbane)
2000 July 9 Queensland New South Wales ANZ Stadium (Brisbane)
2001 July 22 Queensland 34–14 New South Wales ANZ Stadium (Brisbane)
2002 Queensland[8] 26–16 New South Wales Ipswich
2003 Queensland New South Wales
2004 July 24 Queensland 40–8 New South Wales Suncorp Stadium
Queensland 46–8 New South Wales Newcastle
2005 Aug 6 Queensland 20–18 New South Wales Henson Park

2006

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30 July 2006
Queensland Women   40 – 24   New South Wales Women
Tries
Steph Hancock 2
Leah Williams 2
Teresa Anderson 1
Karyn Murphy 1
Megan Spicer 1

Goals
Neena Fraser 4
Steph Hancock 1
Megan Spicer 1
Report
Tries
1 Teina Clark
1 Dahlia Tahu
1 Nadine Schmidt
1 Johnnie Tukwaho

Goals
4 Teina Clark

2007

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13 August 2007
3.30 PM
Queensland Women   38 – 16   New South Wales Women
Tries
Rachele Whelan 2
Bianca Ambrum 1
Teresa Anderson 1
Kellie Batchelor 1
Suzanne Johnson 1
Leah Williams 1

Goals
Kellie Batchelor 5
Report
HT 12-10

2008

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The Woman's Interstate Challenge was played as a two-game series in 2008.

Game 1

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8 July 2008
Queensland Women   8 – 6   New South Wales Women
Tries
Steph Hancock 1
Tegan Rolfe 1
Report
Tries
1 Jessica Palmer

Goals
1 Teina Clark
CUA Stadium, Penrith
Player of the Match:   Renae Kunst

Game 2

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9 August 2008
Queensland Women   46 – 4   New South Wales Women
Tries
Bianca Ambrum 3
Suzanne Johnson 2
Tarah Westera 2
Tegan Rolfe 1
Renae Kunst 1
Steph Hancock 1
Goals
Steph Hancock 3
Report
Scores[9]
Tries
1 Lisa Fiaola

2009

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18 July 2009
1:40 PM
Queensland Women   20 – 14   New South Wales Women
Tries
Erin Elliott 1
Tahnee Norris 1
Nive Moefaauo 1
Tarah Westera 1

Goals
Natalie Dwyer 1
Tegan Rolfe 1
Report
Tries
1 Poihaera Clark
1 Natalie Levy
1 Jessica Palmer

Goals
1 Renee Gloss
CUA Stadium, Penrith
Player of the Match:   Tahnee Norris[10]

2010

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26 June 2010
Queensland Women   36 – 6   New South Wales Women
Tries
Latisha Gary 2
Tegan Rolfe 2
Karina Brown 1
Natalie Dwyer 1
Suzanne Johnson 1

Goals
Natalie Dwyer 4
Report
Report[11]
Tries
1 Kylie Hilder

Goals
1 Teina Clark
Albert Park, Gympie
Referee: Jon Kennedy[12]
Player of the Match:   Latisha Gary

2011

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25 May 2011
Queensland Women   26 – 0   New South Wales Women
Tries:
Natalie Dwyer 1
Bianca Ambrum 1
Natasha Baggow 1
Natalie Gala 1
Karyn Murphy 1
Steph Hancock 1
Goals:
Natalie Dwyer 1
Report[13]
Tries:
nil
Goals:
nil

2012

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23 June 2012
3.30 PM
Queensland Women   34 – 10   New South Wales Women
Tries:
Bianca Ambrum 4
Natalie Dwyer 2
Karina Brown 1
Karyn Murphy 1
Goals:
Amber Saltner 1
Report
QLD Annual Report
HT 16–10
Tries:
1 Tarah Westen
1 Samantha Hammond
Goals:
1 Maddie Studdon
Penrith Park
Player of the Match:   Heather Ballinger

2013

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7 April 2013
Queensland Women   30 – 12   New South Wales Women
Tries:
Bianca Ambrum 1
Steph Hancock 1
Amber Saltner 1
Joanne Barrett 1
Renae Kunst 1
Tahnee Norris 1
Goals:
Amber Saltner 3
QLD Annual Report
Video Snippet
HT 10–6
Tries:
2 Tegan Chandler
Goals:
2 Margaret Watson
Davies Park, West End, Brisbane

2014

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19 July 2014
Queensland Women   26 – 10   New South Wales Women
Tries:
Renae Kunst 1
Deanna Turner 1
Kellye Hodges 1
Jenni-Sue Hoepper 1
Steph Hancock 1
Goals:
Ali Brigginshaw 2
Jenni-Sue Hoepper 1
Report
HT 16–0
Tries:
1 Teina Clark
1 Kezie Apps
Goals:
1 Maddie Studdon

2015

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27 June 2015
New South Wales Women   4 – 4   Queensland Women
Tries:
Isabelle Kelly 1
Report
HT 0–4
Tries:
1 Chelsea Baker

2016

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23 July 2016
New South Wales Women   8 – 4   Queensland Women
Tries:
Simaima Taufa 1
Goals:
Maddie Studdon 2
Report
HT 0–0
Tries:
1 Ali Brigginshaw

Notes:

  • This was the first time New South Wales won the trophy in all women's interstate challenge history.

2017

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23 July 2017
New South Wales Women   22 – 6   Queensland Women
Tries:
Jessica Sergis 3
Corban McGregor 1
Vanessa Foliaki 1
Goals:
Caitlin Moran 1
Report
QRL Annual Report
HT 10–6
Tries:
1 Jenni-Sue Hoepper
Goals:
1 Chelsea Baker
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Chris Treneman
Player of the Match:   Kezie Apps

2018

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22 June 2018
New South Wales Women   16 – 10   Queensland Women
Tries:
Isabelle Kelly (7', 54') 2
Nakia Davis-Welsh (36') 1
Goals:
Maddie Studdon 2/3
(9', 55')
Report
Highlights
HT 6–6
Tries:
2 (12', 45') Karina Brown
Goals:
1/2 Chelsea Baker
(13')
North Sydney Oval, Sydney
Player of the Match:   Isabelle Kelly
Attendance: 6,824
Referee: Jon Stone
Peter Gough (Assistant)

Notes:

  • First official Women's State of Origin match.

2019

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21 June 2019
New South Wales Women   14 – 4   Queensland Women
Tries:
Jessica Sergis 1
Shakiah Tungai 1
Maddie Studdon 1
Goals:
Kirra Dibb 1
Report
Highlights
HT 0–4
Tries:
1 Tazmin Gray
Goals:
nil
North Sydney Oval, Sydney
Player of the Match:   Maddie Studdon
Attendance: 10,300
Referee: Belinda Sharpe

2020

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13 November 2020
7:45 PM
Queensland Women   24 – 18   New South Wales Women
Tries:
Tamika Upton 2
Tarryn Aiken 1
Steph Hancock 1

Goals:
Lauren Brown 4
Report
Highlights
HT 6–6
Tries:
1 Kezie Apps
1 Tiana Penitani
1 Filomina Hanisi
1 Botille Vette-Welsh
Goals:
1 Melanie Howard
Sunshine Coast Stadium
Player of the Match:   Tarryn Aiken
Referee: Belinda Sharpe

2021

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25 June 2021
7:45 PM
Queensland Women   8 – 6   New South Wales Women
Tries:
Destiny Brill 1
Goals:
Lauren Brown 2
Report
Highlights
HT 6–4
Tries:
1 Isabelle Kelly
Goals:
1 Maddie Studdon
Sunshine Coast Stadium
Attendance: 7,183
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Player of the Match:   Tazmin Gray

2022

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24 June 2022
7:45 PM
New South Wales   20 – 14   Queensland
Tries: 3
Emma Tonegato (13') 1
Kirra Dibb (15') 1
Isabelle Kelly (67') 1
Goals:
Rachael Pearson 4/5
(14', 17', 27', 41')
HT 14–10
Highlights
Match Stats (NRL)
Reports[14]
Tries: 3
1 (8') Destiny Brill
1 (21') Tarryn Aiken
1 (56') Evania Pelite
Goals: 1
1/2 Ali Brigginshaw
(22')
0/2 Lauren Brown
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 11,321
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Player of the Match:   Isabelle Kelly
(Nellie Doherty Medal)

2023

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The two-match series was decided — as the teams won one match each — on aggregate, with Queensland winning 32–28.[15]

Game 1

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1 June 2023
7:45 PM
Queensland   18 – 10   New South Wales
Tries: 4
Julia Robinson (7', 45') 2
Tazmin Gray (32') 1
Emily Bass (40') 1
Goals: 1
Zahara Temara 1/4
(34')
HT 10–6
Highlights
Match Stats (NRL)
Reports[16][17]
Tries: 2
1 (16') Jessica Sergis
1 (50') Jaime Chapman
Goals: 1
1/2 Jesse Southwell
(18')
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Attendance: 12,972
Referee: Adam Gee
Player of the Match:   Keilee Joseph
(Nellie Doherty Medal)

Game 2

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22 June 2023
7:45 PM
New South Wales   18 – 14   Queensland
Tries: 3
Tiana Penitani (3', 40') 2
Yasmin Clydsdale (68' penalty try) 1
Goals: 3
Jesse Southwell 3/5
(9', 45', 69')
HT 6-14
Highlights
Match Stats (NRL)
Reports
[18][19][20]
Tries: 3
1 (17') Tamika Upton
1 (25') Emily Bass
1 (27') Tarryn Aiken
Goals: 1
1/3 Zahara Temara
(29')
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 18,275
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Player of the Match:   Tazmin Gray
(Nellie Doherty Medal)

2024

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Game 1

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16 May 2024
7:45 PM
New South Wales   22 – 12   Queensland
Tries: 3
Emma Tonegato (5') 1
Jaime Chapman (9') 1
Caitlan Johnston (64') 1
Goals: 5
Rachael Pearson 5/5
(6', 10', 18', 38, 65')
HT 14-0
Highlights
Match Stats (NRL)
Reports
[21][22]
Tries: 2
1 (53') Tamika Upton
1 (67') Emily Bass
Goals: 2
2/2 Zahara Temara
(53', 68')
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 25,492
Referee: Kasey Badger
Player of the Match:   Yasmin Clydsdale

Game 2

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Thursday, 6 June 2024
7:45 PM
Queensland   11 – 10   New South Wales
Tries: 2
Shenae Ciesiolka (54') 1
Tarryn Aiken (61')1
Goals: 1
Lauren Brown 1/2
(63')
Field Goals: 1
Lauren Brown 1
(68')
1st: 6–0
2nd: 4–11
Highlights
Match Stats (NRL)
Reports
[23][24][25]
Tries: 2
1 (24') Keeley Davis
1 (58') Tiana Penitani
Goals: 1
1/2 Rachael Pearson
(25')
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Attendance: 25,782
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Player of the Match:   Shannon Mato

Game 3

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Thursday, 27 June 2024
7:45 PM
Queensland   22 – 6   New South Wales
Tries: 3
Evania Pelite (1') 1
Julia Robinson (29') 1
Tazmin Rapana (67') 1
Goals: 5
Lauren Brown 4/4
(3', 8' pen, 31', 68')
Romy Teitzel 1/1
(38' pen)
1st: 14–0
2nd: 8–6
Highlights
Match Stats (NRL)
Reports
[26][27]
Tries: 1
1 (58') Jaime Chapman
Goals: 1
Rachael Pearson 1/1
(59')
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 22,819
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Player of the Match: Evania Pelite[28]
Nellie Doherty Medal for Player of the Series:   Shannon Mato[29]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NSW Women's Interstate Challenge side named". 22 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Women's Interstate Challenge ends in draw". 27 June 2015.
  3. ^ "NSW Women's Interstate Team Announced". 18 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Westpac NSW Sky Blues name two debutants for Game One". NSWRL. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  5. ^ "NSW Sky Blues unchanged for Origin decider". NSWRL. 18 Jun 2024. Retrieved 18 Jun 2024.
  6. ^ Newton, Alicia (20 Jun 2022). "Dibb recalled as Hilder finalises NSW team". NRL. Retrieved 20 Jun 2022.
  7. ^ Edwards, Colleen (20 Nov 2020). "A Queensland legacy is born – the first women's Interstate Challenge game". QRL. Retrieved 21 Mar 2021.
  8. ^ "Australian Womens Rugby League". Australian Rugby League 2002 Annual Report. 19. Sydney: Australian Rugby League: 28. 2002.
  9. ^ "State Of Origin 2 Helps Decide World Cup Squad". Our Footy Team Archives. 4 Sep 2008. Retrieved 21 Mar 2021.
  10. ^ Yvette Downey (2009). "Australian Women's League Report". Australian Rugby Football League Annual Report. 26: 22–23.
  11. ^ "Women Brace For Historic Clash". NRL.com. 8 Dec 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  12. ^ Lee, Matthew (15 Sep 2010). "Gympie referee scores top job". Gympie Times.
  13. ^ "Qld women power to 13th Cup victory". Queensland Times. 26 May 2011. p. 29.
  14. ^ Robertson, Josh (24 Jun 2022). "Kelly shines as Blues regain Origin dominance". League Unlimited. Retrieved 26 Jun 2022.
  15. ^ Newton, Alicia (26 May 2022). "Points aggregate to determine Origin winner if series drawn". NRL. Retrieved 1 Jun 2023.
  16. ^ Rosser, Corey (1 Jun 2023). "Queensland backs fire in opening win". NRL. Retrieved 2 Jun 2023.
  17. ^ Huxtable, Adam (1 Jun 2023). "Maroons triumph to take an 8-point lead in the first leg of Women's State of Origin". League Unlimited. Retrieved 2 Jun 2023.
  18. ^ Davies, Justin (22 Jun 2023). "Blues late surge not enough for shield". League Unlimited. Retrieved 24 Jun 2023.
  19. ^ "Sky Blues fight back for Game Two win despite series defeat". NSWRL. 22 Jun 2023. Retrieved 24 Jun 2023.
  20. ^ Rosser, Corey (22 Jun 2023). "Maroons lose thrilling Game Two but claim series victory". QRL. Retrieved 24 Jun 2023.
  21. ^ Lenehan, Michael (16 May 2024). "Early blitz sets up Sky Blues' Game One triumph". NRL. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  22. ^ Robertson, Josh (16 May 2024). "Blues take first blood in front of record crowd in Brisbane". League Unlimited. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  23. ^ Lenehan, Martin (6 Jun 2024). "Brown slots late winner as Maroons keep Origin series alive". NRL. Retrieved 6 Jun 2024.
  24. ^ Hollis, Kelly (6 Jun 2024). "Queensland steal a last minute win to take the first three-game Women's State of Origin series to a decider". League Unlimited. Retrieved 6 Jun 2024.
  25. ^ Honeysett, Stuart (6 Jun 2024). "Women's Origin set for decider as Sky Blues suffer one-point loss". NSWRL. Retrieved 6 Jun 2024.
  26. ^ Robertson, Josh (27 Jun 2024). "Queensland reign supreme again with impressive win over poor NSW". League Unlimited. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.
  27. ^ Rosser, Corey (27 Jun 2024). "Maroons power past Sky Blues for historic series victory". NRL. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.
  28. ^ "Player of the Match: Evania Pelite". NRL. 27 Jun 2024. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.
  29. ^ Rosser, Corey (27 Jun 2024). "Mato claims 2024 Nellie Doherty Medal". NRL. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.
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