2021 Women’s Origin, QLD 8 NSW 6 – Report

Kristie Tancevski reviews Queensland’s win over New South Wales in the Women’s Origin on the Sunshine Coast. Here’s how the game went.

SCOREBOARD

MATCH REPORT

1st Half

The Sky-Blues looked fierce in the opening of match, with sliding attack helping Isabelle Kelly break the line and score in only the fourth minute. The Maroons attempted to hit back with plenty of attack in their opposition half but failed to complete the back ends of their sets.

Ill-discipline and sloppy plays by New South Wales helped Queensland get back on track, as wet weather conditions got the best of both teams. It was the Maroons who could capitalise on these best and scores were level when Destiny Brill barged through from dummy half score on debut. A successful conversion saw them take the lead and shift the momentum, looking dangerous in attack.

While New South Wales struggled with 7 errors and a 67% completion rate, their strong defence saw them remain in the fight by shutting down key players Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken.

HALF-TIME: Queensland Maroons 6 New South Wales Sky-Blues 4

2nd Half

New South Wales came out firing in the opening minutes of the second half but they failed to complete strong sets in key positions. Their scrambling attack saw them miss a big overlap on the edge that could have been a try, and a dropped ball by prop Millie Boyle cost them an almost certain try after a strong run.

An incredible tackle by lock Hannah Southwell brought back their momentum and helped return possession, before a penalty goal to Maddie Studdon saw the score locked up 6-all after 52 minutes. 

While the Sky-Blues had a strong running game with the speed of their outside backs, the Maroons remained in the fight through relentless defence. The class of captain Ali Brigginshaw shone as she and Aiken set up a try to Upton, though it was shortly overruled as an obstruction.

After several strong attacking sets, a leg-pull by Filomina Hanisi saw Queensland awarded a penalty in front of the goals in dying minutes. Taking no chances, they elected to take a penalty goal and seal the win.

FULL-TIME: Queensland Maroons 8 New South Wales Sky-Blues 6

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