Queensland upset NSW to avoid women's Origin whitewash
Chelsea Lenarduzzi has saved Queensland the embarrassment of a women's State of Origin series whitewash, scoring the late try that confirmed the Maroons' 18-14 defeat of NSW in Newcastle.
After being dominated in the first two games, the Maroons forward pack muscled up for the sake of state pride in a dour affair sullied by some inexplicable errors from both sides.
The Maroons looked down for the count when they lost Shenae Ciesolkia (knee) and Destiny Brill (rib) to mid-game injuries either side of half-time on Thursday night.
The visitors trailed by eight points when Blues utility Jocelyn Kelleher dived over from dummy half with 20 minutes to play.
But Maroons second-rower Romy Teitzel pounced on a Tarryn Aiken grubber kick to score and pull her side closer to parity as the final 15 minutes approached.
After a mostly ineffective opening two games, Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw set up the game-winning try after coming on as bench hooker, changing direction at dummy half to put Lenarduzzi over with a short ball.
Lenarduzzi, who missed selection for game one, was sin-binned in the final seconds for holding Tiana Penitani Gray down as the Blues waged one last attack on the Maroons' line.
But shifting left, NSW turned possession over and were denied the chance to record the first series whitewash in women's Origin history.
Lenarduzzi's fellow middle forwards Makenzie Weale and Jess Elliston were equally important, both running north of 140 metres with the former crashing over for the first try.
The result will ease pressure on Tahnee Norris, whose position as Maroons coach had appeared under threat following two hefty defeats to begin the series.
Questions still remain as to the Origin future of Brigginshaw, 35, following a lukewarm series that admittedly ended on a high.
Both sides were guilty of some inexplicable errors in game three.
Teitzel's opening kick-off did not go 10 metres, while Blues captain Isabelle Kelly failed to ground the ball when she slid into the in-goal for what appeared a certain four-pointer in the first half.
Jess Sergis helped Kelly save face, crashing over on the right shortly after, before Jesse Southwell gave the Blues a two-point half-time lead finding Jayme Fressard with a looping cut-out pass on the left.
Abbi Church had a busy night at fullback for the Blues to cap a great debut series.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Utoikamanu in as Cleary warns NSW halves set to explode
Nathan Cleary has declared his combination with Mitch Moses can go to another level in Perth, as NSW made only one injury-enforced change for State of Origin II. Blues coach Laurie Daley announced his team on Monday night, with Stefano Utoikamanu beating out Keaon Koloamatangi to replace Mitch Barnett. Max King will start at prop with Utoikamanu on the bench, while Matt Burton is the Blues' 18th man with Keaon Koloamatangi and Lindsay Smith reserves in the extended squad. NSW's stability comes at a time when Queensland's halves are undergoing monumental changes, with Daly Cherry-Evans axed for next Wednesday's clash. But in Cleary's eyes, NSW's halves are only about to get better. The Penrith No.7's combination with Moses was the major talking point ahead of Origin I, with both naturally dominant halfbacks in the NRL. It paid off, with Moses fitting into the supporting role and No.6 jersey unlocking his running game as planned in the 18-6 win. The duo hardly got in each other's way, linked up in the lead up to one NSW try and Cleary also played a role in each of the Blues' other three four-pointers. NSW have only had one other all-halfback pairing this century, with Trent Hodkinson and Mitchell Pearce joining forces in the 2015 series loss. Hodkinson spoke last month about how it became easier for the pair after they'd played one game together. And Cleary believes it would be the same for he and Moses, as NSW hunt a second straight series win with victory at Optus Stadium next Wednesday night. "The way Mitch and I combined was good, but I think even that, we can go to another level," Cleary said. "I'm looking forward to getting to camp with them again and building that. "It's probably just a bit of a feel thing (where we can be better). Especially when we're under fatigue and in the tough moments of the game. "But still I thought just generally connecting off three training sessions really was pretty good." Cleary said he expected to regain the kicking duties after handing over to Zac Lomax after three straight missed conversion attempts in Brisbane. He also believed his own game would benefit after not playing Origin since game one 2023 due to injury. "It is a weird dynamic (with Origin), where once game three is done, it's almost like another year until you play game one again," Cleary said. "I think that's why with Origins series, you build into them. "Particularly for me, coming back after two years out, I got to build those combinations in the first camp. "But I think I can elevate those even more in this second camp." NSW have now largely kept their squad intact for four straight matches, with the core of this year's team also winning last year's series. "It helps," second-rower Liam Martin said. "You can hit the ground running when you're getting into training. You know each other. "That was the goal last year to build something, start fresh and try and build a legacy of the Blues. It's a group where everyone wants to buy in. "Everyone is chasing the same goal. Everyone's just got that team-first mentality, and it's pretty special to be a part of." NSW TEAM FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II: Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Mitch Moses, Nathan Cleary, Max King, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo (capt). Bench: Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young, Stefano Utoikamanu. 18th man: Matt Burton. Reserves: Keaon Koloamatangi, Lindsay Smith. Nathan Cleary has declared his combination with Mitch Moses can go to another level in Perth, as NSW made only one injury-enforced change for State of Origin II. Blues coach Laurie Daley announced his team on Monday night, with Stefano Utoikamanu beating out Keaon Koloamatangi to replace Mitch Barnett. Max King will start at prop with Utoikamanu on the bench, while Matt Burton is the Blues' 18th man with Keaon Koloamatangi and Lindsay Smith reserves in the extended squad. NSW's stability comes at a time when Queensland's halves are undergoing monumental changes, with Daly Cherry-Evans axed for next Wednesday's clash. But in Cleary's eyes, NSW's halves are only about to get better. The Penrith No.7's combination with Moses was the major talking point ahead of Origin I, with both naturally dominant halfbacks in the NRL. It paid off, with Moses fitting into the supporting role and No.6 jersey unlocking his running game as planned in the 18-6 win. The duo hardly got in each other's way, linked up in the lead up to one NSW try and Cleary also played a role in each of the Blues' other three four-pointers. NSW have only had one other all-halfback pairing this century, with Trent Hodkinson and Mitchell Pearce joining forces in the 2015 series loss. Hodkinson spoke last month about how it became easier for the pair after they'd played one game together. And Cleary believes it would be the same for he and Moses, as NSW hunt a second straight series win with victory at Optus Stadium next Wednesday night. "The way Mitch and I combined was good, but I think even that, we can go to another level," Cleary said. "I'm looking forward to getting to camp with them again and building that. "It's probably just a bit of a feel thing (where we can be better). Especially when we're under fatigue and in the tough moments of the game. "But still I thought just generally connecting off three training sessions really was pretty good." Cleary said he expected to regain the kicking duties after handing over to Zac Lomax after three straight missed conversion attempts in Brisbane. He also believed his own game would benefit after not playing Origin since game one 2023 due to injury. "It is a weird dynamic (with Origin), where once game three is done, it's almost like another year until you play game one again," Cleary said. "I think that's why with Origins series, you build into them. "Particularly for me, coming back after two years out, I got to build those combinations in the first camp. "But I think I can elevate those even more in this second camp." NSW have now largely kept their squad intact for four straight matches, with the core of this year's team also winning last year's series. "It helps," second-rower Liam Martin said. "You can hit the ground running when you're getting into training. You know each other. "That was the goal last year to build something, start fresh and try and build a legacy of the Blues. It's a group where everyone wants to buy in. "Everyone is chasing the same goal. Everyone's just got that team-first mentality, and it's pretty special to be a part of." NSW TEAM FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II: Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Mitch Moses, Nathan Cleary, Max King, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo (capt). Bench: Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young, Stefano Utoikamanu. 18th man: Matt Burton. Reserves: Keaon Koloamatangi, Lindsay Smith. Nathan Cleary has declared his combination with Mitch Moses can go to another level in Perth, as NSW made only one injury-enforced change for State of Origin II. Blues coach Laurie Daley announced his team on Monday night, with Stefano Utoikamanu beating out Keaon Koloamatangi to replace Mitch Barnett. Max King will start at prop with Utoikamanu on the bench, while Matt Burton is the Blues' 18th man with Keaon Koloamatangi and Lindsay Smith reserves in the extended squad. NSW's stability comes at a time when Queensland's halves are undergoing monumental changes, with Daly Cherry-Evans axed for next Wednesday's clash. But in Cleary's eyes, NSW's halves are only about to get better. The Penrith No.7's combination with Moses was the major talking point ahead of Origin I, with both naturally dominant halfbacks in the NRL. It paid off, with Moses fitting into the supporting role and No.6 jersey unlocking his running game as planned in the 18-6 win. The duo hardly got in each other's way, linked up in the lead up to one NSW try and Cleary also played a role in each of the Blues' other three four-pointers. NSW have only had one other all-halfback pairing this century, with Trent Hodkinson and Mitchell Pearce joining forces in the 2015 series loss. Hodkinson spoke last month about how it became easier for the pair after they'd played one game together. And Cleary believes it would be the same for he and Moses, as NSW hunt a second straight series win with victory at Optus Stadium next Wednesday night. "The way Mitch and I combined was good, but I think even that, we can go to another level," Cleary said. "I'm looking forward to getting to camp with them again and building that. "It's probably just a bit of a feel thing (where we can be better). Especially when we're under fatigue and in the tough moments of the game. "But still I thought just generally connecting off three training sessions really was pretty good." Cleary said he expected to regain the kicking duties after handing over to Zac Lomax after three straight missed conversion attempts in Brisbane. He also believed his own game would benefit after not playing Origin since game one 2023 due to injury. "It is a weird dynamic (with Origin), where once game three is done, it's almost like another year until you play game one again," Cleary said. "I think that's why with Origins series, you build into them. "Particularly for me, coming back after two years out, I got to build those combinations in the first camp. "But I think I can elevate those even more in this second camp." NSW have now largely kept their squad intact for four straight matches, with the core of this year's team also winning last year's series. "It helps," second-rower Liam Martin said. "You can hit the ground running when you're getting into training. You know each other. "That was the goal last year to build something, start fresh and try and build a legacy of the Blues. It's a group where everyone wants to buy in. "Everyone is chasing the same goal. Everyone's just got that team-first mentality, and it's pretty special to be a part of." NSW TEAM FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II: Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Mitch Moses, Nathan Cleary, Max King, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo (capt). Bench: Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young, Stefano Utoikamanu. 18th man: Matt Burton. Reserves: Keaon Koloamatangi, Lindsay Smith.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘The job isn't finished': Daley sticks with Blues winners
'We added Keaon and Lindsay, which gives us the flexibility of having a front-rower and a back-rower, while 'Burto' gives us cover in the outside backs. 'With Haumole, we decided it was best for him to miss camp. He's got a little one on the way, and it would have been no good having him in Perth if something happened.' Victory in Perth would be the perfect redemption story for Daley who spent five years coaching against the finest Queensland teams ever assembled for just the one series triumph. The Blues defeated the Maroons 18-6 in their own backyard in game one, and just as the home side and Slater said they would improve, so, too, will the Blues. Daley won game one at Suncorp Stadium in 2017 before the Maroons fought back to win the series, which would be Daley's last. The Blues' record in Perth is excellent, winning both games in 2019 and 2022 by a combined 82-18 margin. NSW Blues squad for Origin II in Perth on June 18 1. Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers) 2. Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers) 3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 4. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 5. Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels) 6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels) 7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers) 8. Max King (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 9. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys) 10. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos) 11. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers) 12. Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters) 13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers) 14. Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters) 15. Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters) 16. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders) 17. Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm) 18. Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 19. Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 20. Lindsay Smith (Penrith Panthers) Coach: Laurie Daley Up to 14 NSW players were involved in NRL games on Sunday and Monday, compared to the Maroons' two. Daley will need to go easy with most of his squad in the early half of the week to allow them to get sufficient rest and recovery. Crichton went into Origin I with a quad strain, then revealed after the win over Parramatta that he had 'strained my neck' while practising goalkicking at Sunday's captain's run, 'which is a first'. The coach would have loved what he saw in the space of three minutes in the first half at a wet Accor Stadium involving three of his Blues. Lomax did well to pluck a Burton pass out of the air, stayed in the field of play, ran a few metres before sending Moses racing 80 metres down field. Moses never took the foot off the gas and beat off three Bulldogs' defenders, including Josh Curran who refused to give up. Then Crichton popped up on the other side of the field and man-handled Isaiah Iongi when he tried to get on his outside. Crichton was having none of it and wrestled him into touch. Moses was placed on report for a high shot on Daniel Suluka-Fifita late in the game, but should escape with a fine if charged. The Eels and Dogs contingent will join their teammates in the Blue Mountains early Tuesday. Meanwhile, Slater said of his decision to axe Cherry-Evans: 'We just feel Tom is the right person for the No.7 jersey right now ... you won't hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans. Loading 'What he has given this jersey and what he has done for this footy team and this group, that will be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life. 'No-one can take that away from him. We just feel that you earn every opportunity to play in this jersey, and we feel that Tom Dearden has earned the opportunity to play in the No.7 jersey. 'We feel it is the right thing for the footy team. We just want Tom Dearden to do his job and be the best version of Tommy Dearden that he can be. He will get a bit of support around him.'
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
‘The job isn't finished': Daley sticks with Blues winners
'We added Keaon and Lindsay, which gives us the flexibility of having a front-rower and a back-rower, while 'Burto' gives us cover in the outside backs. 'With Haumole, we decided it was best for him to miss camp. He's got a little one on the way, and it would have been no good having him in Perth if something happened.' Victory in Perth would be the perfect redemption story for Daley who spent five years coaching against the finest Queensland teams ever assembled for just the one series triumph. The Blues defeated the Maroons 18-6 in their own backyard in game one, and just as the home side and Slater said they would improve, so, too, will the Blues. Daley won game one at Suncorp Stadium in 2017 before the Maroons fought back to win the series, which would be Daley's last. The Blues' record in Perth is excellent, winning both games in 2019 and 2022 by a combined 82-18 margin. NSW Blues squad for Origin II in Perth on June 18 1. Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers) 2. Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers) 3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 4. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 5. Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels) 6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels) 7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers) 8. Max King (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 9. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys) 10. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos) 11. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers) 12. Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters) 13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers) 14. Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters) 15. Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters) 16. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders) 17. Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm) 18. Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 19. Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 20. Lindsay Smith (Penrith Panthers) Coach: Laurie Daley Up to 14 NSW players were involved in NRL games on Sunday and Monday, compared to the Maroons' two. Daley will need to go easy with most of his squad in the early half of the week to allow them to get sufficient rest and recovery. Crichton went into Origin I with a quad strain, then revealed after the win over Parramatta that he had 'strained my neck' while practising goalkicking at Sunday's captain's run, 'which is a first'. The coach would have loved what he saw in the space of three minutes in the first half at a wet Accor Stadium involving three of his Blues. Lomax did well to pluck a Burton pass out of the air, stayed in the field of play, ran a few metres before sending Moses racing 80 metres down field. Moses never took the foot off the gas and beat off three Bulldogs' defenders, including Josh Curran who refused to give up. Then Crichton popped up on the other side of the field and man-handled Isaiah Iongi when he tried to get on his outside. Crichton was having none of it and wrestled him into touch. Moses was placed on report for a high shot on Daniel Suluka-Fifita late in the game, but should escape with a fine if charged. The Eels and Dogs contingent will join their teammates in the Blue Mountains early Tuesday. Meanwhile, Slater said of his decision to axe Cherry-Evans: 'We just feel Tom is the right person for the No.7 jersey right now ... you won't hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans. Loading 'What he has given this jersey and what he has done for this footy team and this group, that will be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life. 'No-one can take that away from him. We just feel that you earn every opportunity to play in this jersey, and we feel that Tom Dearden has earned the opportunity to play in the No.7 jersey. 'We feel it is the right thing for the footy team. We just want Tom Dearden to do his job and be the best version of Tommy Dearden that he can be. He will get a bit of support around him.'
