Maroons resist selection shake-up for women's Origin II
Queensland coach Tahnee Norris has resisted the chance to make sweeping changes despite needing to win game two to save the women's Origin series, with only one new face on the bench.
Brisbane Broncos forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi replaces Destiny Brill, who will move to the extended reserves as Queensland try to keep their dreams of retaining the shield alive.
Lenarduzzi has played for Queensland six times since 2017 and gives some added size to the Maroons, who lost the opener 32-12 at Suncorp Stadium on May 1.
"I wanted to bolster the size in our middle, and Chelsea gives us that," Norris said.
"I'm excited to see what Duzzi (Lenarduzzi) can bring to the team. She's got a big frame and workrate, so it'll be good for us.
"I am disappointed for Destiny after she missed out, but I am eager to see what game two will look like."
NSW go into game two at Allianz Stadium on May 15 with an unchanged starting 17, although there is one change on the extended bench.
North Queensland playmaker Kirra Dibb drops out of the squad to be replaced by Sydney Roosters winger Brydie Parker.
The Sky Blues can wrap up the series with victory while Queensland will be hoping for a repeat of last year, after winning the series despite losing the first game.
WOMEN'S ORIGIN GAME TWO TEAMS:
NSW
Abbi Church, Jaime Chapman, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Jayme Fressard, Tiana Penitani Gray, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Keeley Davis, Ellie Johnston, Kezie Apps, Yasmin Clydsdale, Olivia Kernick. Interchange: Jocelyn Kelleher, Kennedy Cherrington, Sarah Togatuki, Emma Verran. Reserves: Shaylee Bent, Olivia Higgins, Brydie Parker.
QUEENSLAND
Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson, Shenae Ciesiolka, Rory Owen, Jasmine Peters, Tarryn Aiken, Ali Brigginshaw, Makenzie Weale, Lauren Brown, Jessika Elliston, Sienna Lofipo, Romy Teitzel, Keilee Joseph. Interchange: Jada Ferguson, Sophie Holyman, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Tavarna Papalii. Reserves: Georgia Hannaway, Destiny Brill, Hayley Maddick.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
24 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Payten backs Dearden as QLD�s next No.7
NRL: North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten spoke to the media following their round 14 defeat to the Melbourne Storm.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
A season of promise derailed: Four things learnt in Reds' final defeat
The outside centre was about to play his first game in three months after suffering a ruptured hamstring, and since his comeback, the 23-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong. It began with his try-scoring return against the Fijian Drua last week before his exploits on Friday night threatened to get the Reds on thee front foot early. His well-weighted kick in behind the Crusaders while on the run to give his side a golden chance to build some pressure, and he followed it up with a linebreak and brilliant long ball to Lachie Anderson to present another opportunity. Flook was lauded by Wilson as 'our best player on the field tonight' – topping the Reds run metre count with 44 from six carries while beating three defenders, to keep him in the Test hunt to take on the Lions. Did injuries cruel Queensland's cause? This was a Queensland team clearly on its last legs, with their overflowing casualty ward forcing them to use 36 players this year. The Crusaders were clear victors in the territory battle. Rarely did they look flustered at the breakdown, and they were frequently able to exploit gaps behind the ruck. That much was evident as they scored through halfback Noah Hotham in the second half, darting and kicking behind after a pair of strong carries from his forward pack – winning the race to the punt ahead. By contrast, the Reds got too few opportunities to unleash their clinical backline, and appeared unable to string together a consistent run of phases to build momentum and field position to target their strengths. Loading On the sidelines Matt Faessler, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Alex Hodgman and Massimo De Lutiis with injuries, but perhaps the biggest loss given how the contest played out was Seru Uru. Uru's unpredictability, late offloads and damaging ball carries would have injected some hesitancy in the Crusaders defence, with the Reds not showing some x-factor until it was too late – Harry Wilson's remarkable chip dived on by Frasere McReight to add some respectability to the score. Uru, who just missed out on recovering from a knee injury in time to take the field, has become one of the most innovative forwards in Australian rugby, with Reds and Wallabies lock Josh Canham alluding as much about his teammate's unique skillset. Where to now for the Reds? There is clearly a feeling within this Reds squad they are building towards something special, and Kiss' last season at the helm could be the time to prove it. Second-string halfback Kalani Thomas suggested as much upon his re-signing until the end of 2027 this week, when he hinted at having other options overseas to consider – where he may have had a better chance at starting rather than being stuck behind Tate McDermott. Thomas – who replaced McDermott with 20 minutes remaining – is not alone in extending his tenure at Ballymore, with fellow fringe star Richie Asiata, who became the club's leading hooker in the injury absences of Matt Faessler and Nasser, also signing for 2026 this week. Wallabies superstars Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Filipo Daugunu, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Flook and Faessler were all joined by Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Joe Brial in securing their stay in Queensland. The reality, however, is that the Reds have finished in the same spot as they did last year – fifth, and a limp exit playing in New Zealand. But with other prospects such as Dre Pakeho, Nick Boomfield, Brial and De Lutiis making their mark, Kiss believed next year's outlook was a promising one to break this streak of early finals exits.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
A season of promise derailed: Four things learnt in Reds' final defeat
The outside centre was about to play his first game in three months after suffering a ruptured hamstring, and since his comeback, the 23-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong. It began with his try-scoring return against the Fijian Drua last week before his exploits on Friday night threatened to get the Reds on thee front foot early. His well-weighted kick in behind the Crusaders while on the run to give his side a golden chance to build some pressure, and he followed it up with a linebreak and brilliant long ball to Lachie Anderson to present another opportunity. Flook was lauded by Wilson as 'our best player on the field tonight' – topping the Reds run metre count with 44 from six carries while beating three defenders, to keep him in the Test hunt to take on the Lions. Did injuries cruel Queensland's cause? This was a Queensland team clearly on its last legs, with their overflowing casualty ward forcing them to use 36 players this year. The Crusaders were clear victors in the territory battle. Rarely did they look flustered at the breakdown, and they were frequently able to exploit gaps behind the ruck. That much was evident as they scored through halfback Noah Hotham in the second half, darting and kicking behind after a pair of strong carries from his forward pack – winning the race to the punt ahead. By contrast, the Reds got too few opportunities to unleash their clinical backline, and appeared unable to string together a consistent run of phases to build momentum and field position to target their strengths. Loading On the sidelines Matt Faessler, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Alex Hodgman and Massimo De Lutiis with injuries, but perhaps the biggest loss given how the contest played out was Seru Uru. Uru's unpredictability, late offloads and damaging ball carries would have injected some hesitancy in the Crusaders defence, with the Reds not showing some x-factor until it was too late – Harry Wilson's remarkable chip dived on by Frasere McReight to add some respectability to the score. Uru, who just missed out on recovering from a knee injury in time to take the field, has become one of the most innovative forwards in Australian rugby, with Reds and Wallabies lock Josh Canham alluding as much about his teammate's unique skillset. Where to now for the Reds? There is clearly a feeling within this Reds squad they are building towards something special, and Kiss' last season at the helm could be the time to prove it. Second-string halfback Kalani Thomas suggested as much upon his re-signing until the end of 2027 this week, when he hinted at having other options overseas to consider – where he may have had a better chance at starting rather than being stuck behind Tate McDermott. Thomas – who replaced McDermott with 20 minutes remaining – is not alone in extending his tenure at Ballymore, with fellow fringe star Richie Asiata, who became the club's leading hooker in the injury absences of Matt Faessler and Nasser, also signing for 2026 this week. Wallabies superstars Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Filipo Daugunu, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Flook and Faessler were all joined by Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Joe Brial in securing their stay in Queensland. The reality, however, is that the Reds have finished in the same spot as they did last year – fifth, and a limp exit playing in New Zealand. But with other prospects such as Dre Pakeho, Nick Boomfield, Brial and De Lutiis making their mark, Kiss believed next year's outlook was a promising one to break this streak of early finals exits.
