Strange new era begins with fresh faces for NSW origin
NSW have revamped their halves in their bid to reclaim the women's State of Origin shield, naming Kirra Dibb and Jesse Southwell as the pairing to usher in a new era.
New Sky Blues coach John Strange on Wednesday picked eight fresh faces from outside the squad that lost the series last year, including four yet to make their Origin debut.
Rachael Pearson's Origin future is in extreme doubt after being replaced at halfback following a poor series last year, while previous five-eighth Corban Baxter is still recovering from an ACL tear.
Strange would also not rule out calling teenage playmaker Kasey Reh up for a whirlwind Origin debut if his new halves pairing misfired.
"The girls who'll be picked for Origin one, they've got to perform to keep their spots because there's exceptional players in our squad of 30 that have missed out," Strange said.
"They understand that they've got to respect the jersey and respect the fact that they've got the night in Origin one."
Excitement that Dragons young gun half Reh could break into her first senior Origin squad on Wednesday was quashed after Strange revealed she carried an injury into the earlier camp.
"She came in with an injury and couldn't really get through our training block, but she still attended every session," Strange said.
But he confirmed that Reh could be included later in the series, saying: "she understands how we want to play, in case she's needed for origin two or three."
Dibb's selection for game one was considered unlikely after she underwent ankle surgery in February but her strong performance in the six-week camp put her in the frame for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 1.
Abbi Church, Jayme Fressard, Ellie Johnston and Jocelyn Kelleher are the potential debutants in Strange's 20-strong squad.
The other additions to the squad announced at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday are Southwell, Dibb, Kennedy Cherrington and Shaylee Bent.
Isabelle Kelly has been elevated as the lone captain after sharing the duties with forward Kezie Apps in 2024.
"I think this year it's a different sort of role, but I love leading, I love leading by example, I love doing this for my teammates," Kelly said.
Tiana Penitani Gray will step into the role of vice-captain for the series.
Incumbent forwards Millie Elliott and Caitlan Johnston-Green will miss the 2025 series through pregnancy while winger Jaime Chapman has recovered from a fractured vertebrae in time for the opener.
Taliah Fuimaono, Grace Kemp and Jakiya Whitfeld are the other members of the 2024 squad to miss out for game one.
The NSW Sky Blues:
Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Kennedy Cherrington, Abbi Church, Yasmin Clydsdale, Keeley Davis, Kirra Dibb, Jayme Fressard, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Jocelyn Kelleher, Isabelle Kelly, Olivia Kernick, Tiana Penitani Gray, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Emma Verran.
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