NSW Secures Historic Women’s State of Origin Clean Sweep
New South Wales has made history by securing a clean sweep in the women’s State of Origin series against Queensland, overcoming a tough challenge on the Gold Coast. The 12-4 victory was far from flawless, but it marked a significant moment for captain Isabelle Kelly and her team.
Queensland had previously dominated the interstate rivalry when the competition was a single-match affair, winning 16 consecutive games from 1999 until a draw in 2015. The women’s State of Origin series began in 2018, with the first three-match series held in 2024. Last year, the Maroons won the final match to prevent the Blues from achieving a 3-0 series win. However, this time, NSW emerged victorious in front of 11,816 fans.
Kelly, named player of the match, reflected on the significance of the win. “I am pretty speechless,” she said. “We didn’t make it easy for ourselves, but we got the job done. I knew this year there was something really special about our whole wider squad. Every time we came together, we supported each other, and that showed in our six-week block. Everyone put in so much to make sure the end product was what we wanted, which was 3-0.”
Strong Performance from Key Players
NSW’s early dominance was driven by powerful performances from prop Ellie Johnston and lock Olivia Kernick. Kernick delivered an extraordinary display, running for 211 meters and making 31 tackles. Her efforts were pivotal in the team’s success.
Jasmin Meakes, the NSW second-rower, was awarded the Katrina Fanning Medal as player of the series. Coach John Strange praised her performance, stating, “Jasmine was outstanding in every game and is such a competitor.”
On the other side, Maroons coach Nathan Cross expressed pride in his young team but acknowledged the errors that cost them the match. “Errors again” were a recurring issue, allowing the Blues to gain momentum.
Tactical Battles and Key Moments
NSW dominated possession and territory early, but the Maroons fought back. The key issue for Queensland was their own errors, which repeatedly invited the Blues into attacking positions. A brilliant play by half Jesse Southwell led to a try for Kelly, giving the Blues the lead.
The Maroons responded with a try from winger Jasmine Peters, who scored after a scintillating backline move by five-eighth Chantay Kiria-Ratu and debutant fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati. Kiria-Ratu and half Lauren Brown continued to push the pace in the second half, but the Blues remained resilient.
After Southwell converted a penalty, Kelly’s offload to Jayme Fressard allowed the winger to cut back on a diagonal run, extending NSW’s lead to eight points.
Impact of Injuries and Debutants
The Maroons faced challenges due to injuries, missing key players such as captain Tamika Upton, star winger Julia Robinson, and forward Makenzie Weale. However, Gold Coast product Destiny Mino-Sinapati, who replaced Upton, delivered an outstanding debut. Her darting and weaving running style and ball-playing skills impressed both teammates and coaches.
“Nothing surprised me tonight because she has done it at training and done the work,” Cross said. “I struggle to find words and superlatives for Destiny. She is a 10 out of 10 human being.”
Legacy and Future Prospects
With this historic win, NSW women have joined the three Blues men’s sides that have achieved a 3-0 series victory. The wins came in 1986, 1996, and 2000. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the women’s team, showcasing their growing strength and determination in the sport.
