In a rain-soaked clash at the Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday night, the New South Wales Blues secured the Women’s State of Origin series with a commanding 22–8 victory over the Queensland Maroons. Led by a scintillating performance from 2024 Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick, the Blues turned a damp and challenging surface into an advantage, overpowering their opponents in all facets of the game. Here are five key takeaways from a match that combined individual brilliance, controversial officiating and a resolute defensive effort under driving rain.
1. Olivia Kernick Carves Up the Maroons
Player of the Match Puts on a Clinic
Olivia Kernick produced a masterclass in attack and defense, finishing with two tries, one try assist, 35 tackles, 236 run metres and 10 tackle breaks—the same number as the entire Queensland side. Her first try was punctuated by a signature “don’t argue” fend off Maroons star Tamika Upton, a moment that summed up Kernick’s authority on the field.
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Kernick’s second try came from an incisive line break when she anticipated a loose pass 30 metres out, dashing under the posts to extend the Blues’ lead. Speaking to ABC Sport after the game, she remained modest: “I’m just super proud. We’ve worked so hard these last six weeks and especially in camp this week. To finish the series like this is incredible.”
Notably, Kernick’s defensive work matched her attacking prowess. Her 35 tackles came in key moments when Queensland threatened to shift momentum. By refusing to let Upton or Caitlan Johnston through, she ensured the Maroons never found a foothold. In doing so, she stamped herself as one of the premier forwards in the women’s game.
2. Waterlogged Surface Tests Skill and Composure
Heavy Rain Forces Errors and Strategy Shifts
Persistent downpours before kick-off left large puddles and obscured line markings across the SFS turf. ABC commentator Andrew Moore remarked, “This field is a disgrace,” as players struggled to maintain footing and control the slippery ball.
Queensland bore the brunt of the conditions, coughing up four errors in the first half alone. In contrast, the Blues adopted a “smart and simple” game plan—short, sharp runs, quick play-the-balls and calculated kicks that forced the Maroons to handle the slick ball under pressure.
Despite the spectacle, crowd numbers dipped to just over 16,000, down from the 26,022 record set in Brisbane for Game I. Many fans cited safety concerns on wet terraces and transport disruptions caused by evening storms. Nevertheless, those who stayed witnessed a high-quality Origin contest played in testing circumstances.
3. Bunker Controversy Lights the Fuse
Disputed Try Decision Fuels Blues Momentum
Midway through the first half, Queensland appeared poised to open the scoring when Lauren Brown’s grubber kick was pounced upon in-goal. On-field referee Belinda Sharpe initially ruled a knock-on by both sides and signaled no try, but the bunker intervened. Veteran video official Gerard Sutton overturned the call, awarding a try to the Maroons—only for the television big screen to inexplicably flash “TRY” for Olivia Kernick instead.
“I felt stunned,” Kernick told Sharpe. “I grounded the ball, so how is it a try for me?” Queensland players and supporters were equally bemused, with Tamika Upton and Ali Brigginshaw sharing incredulous glances. Even ABC pundit Millie Elliott—an ex-NSW prop—quipped, “I’ve never seen anything like that. All of Queensland thought it was a line dropout, let alone a try.”
The controversy galvanized the Blues. Within minutes, they capitalized on the confusion, launching a fast-paced raid that culminated in Kernick’s second try. From then on, New South Wales controlled territory and momentum, demonstrating how pivotal officiating decisions can alter the course of a high-stakes Origin match.
4. Strange’s Subtle Sideline Unrest
NSW Coach Voices Frustrations Over Refereeing
While the players maintained their composure on the wet field, NSW coach John Strange was less restrained on the sidelines. Mid-game, he told Channel Nine that the Maroons were deliberately slowing down the ruck without penalty. “Hopefully they get pinged for laying all over us,” he remarked. After full-time, Strange expressed disappointment that several crusher tackles went unpunished, particularly one that saw star centre Jessica Sergis exit in the first half with a neck injury.
Sergis’s injury was a blow to the Blues’ attacking depth, but Strange credited his forwards for stepping up. “Our pack laid the platform. Even down a key back, they fronted up when it mattered,” he said. Despite his criticisms, Strange refused to cast doubt on the integrity of referee Sharpe or the bunker. “Officiating under these conditions is tough,” he conceded, but added, “we expect clarity on dangerous play.”
5. Bruising Blues Defence Underpins the Victory
Forward Pack Impervious to Maroons Pressure
From the opening whistle, the Blues’ defensive line set the tone. Simaima Taufa, Tess Staines and Isabelle Kelly led a relentless effort that forced Queensland into making 20 errors—nearly double their own tally. Their commitment at the line also stifled the Maroons’ preferred off-load game, limiting second-phase opportunities and field position.
The defining defensive stand came late in the second half, when the Maroons threatened to mount a comeback inside NSW’s 20-metre zone. A high ball from Steph Hancock was dropped by Tamika Upton under intense pressure from Taufa, and consecutive repeat sets ended with well-timed intercepts from Stacey White and Yasmin Clydsdale.
That sequence deflated any Queensland resurgence, allowing the Blues to close out the series 2–0. The physicality and discipline shown by NSW’s back row and front-rowers demonstrated why their coach hailed their defence as “the most complete performance we’ve put in this year.”
Match Statistics at a Glance
• Final Score: NSW Blues 22 (Tries: Kernick 2, Taufa, Kelly; Goals: Staines 3) defeated QLD Maroons 8 (Try: Brown; Goal: Upton)
• Possession: Blues 62%, Maroons 38%
• Errors: Blues 12, Maroons 20
• Tackles: Blues 250, Maroons 210
• Metres Run: Blues 1,850 m, Maroons 1,300 m
• Attendance: 16,056
What This Means for the Series and Beyond
By clinching the series on home soil, the Blues extended their Origin dominance to three wins out of the last four encounters. Their adaptability to adverse weather and disciplined approach under pressure bodes well for their preparations for the national championships later this year.
Queensland, meanwhile, must regroup. The Maroons’ inability to translate early pressure into points, coupled with missed tackle opportunities, highlighted areas for improvement ahead of the next campaign. Veteran captain Ali Brigginshaw acknowledged the challenge: “We didn’t execute our plans in these conditions. We’ll learn and come back stronger.”
Looking Ahead
With the Women’s State of Origin trophy safely in Sydney’s hands, attention now turns to selection for the upcoming national All-Stars fixture and the Under-19s State of Origin series. Both teams will draw heavily on the form shown in these high-intensity clashes. For fans, however, the primary talking points remain Olivia Kernick’s all-round mastery, the infamous bunker decision, and how the Blues turned a waterlogged battlefield into a platform for Origin glory.
