NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES 26 QUEENSLAND MAROONS 6
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Thursday
OLIVIA KERNICK powered New South Wales to a series-sealing win over Queensland at a rain-soaked Allianz Stadium.
In sodden conditions that placed a premium on ball control, Kernick grabbed a try in each half, set up another and registered a whopping 236 running metres in a display that underlined why she’s the reigning Dally M Medallist.
The Blues now hold the shield for the first time since women’s Origin expanded to a three-game series.
The Maroons lost star fullback Tamika Upton to a hamstring complaint in the second half, while Blues centre Jessica Sergis succumbed to a neck injury at half-time.
Upton scored the first try in the opening exchanges, but that was as much joy as the northerners had all evening in front of a dedicated Sydney crowd braving the downpour.
Keeley Davis’ eye-gouge allegation in Game One at Suncorp Stadium sprinkled some spice on this rematch, as the visitors aimed to square the series south of the border.
Twelve months ago the Queenslanders overran the New South Wales women after the Blues claimed the opener in enemy territory. But stung by that opportunity slipping through their fingers, Kernick and co. were in no mood to throw away another one-nil advantage in 2025.
NSW coach John Strange didn’t tinker with the 17-woman line-up that claimed the series opener, his first taste of the interstate arena, while long-time Queensland boss Tahnee Norris injected fiery Broncos enforcer Chelsea Lenarduzzi onto her bench, forcing Destiny Brill out of the line-up.
Star Maroons halves Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw were outshone by Tiana Penitani and Jesse Southwell in Origin One a fortnight ago … and the Blues pair did a job again, cashing in on the foundation laid by their dominant forward pack.
Upton managed to snaffle the opening try, pouncing on a Lauren Brown grubber kick from dummy half that Kernick failed to handle. But the Sydney Roosters superstar soon made amends. First Kernick sent front-rower Simaima Taufa steaming through Queensland’s line to claim NSW’s first try. Then the unstoppable lock forward did it all herself, shrugging off club team-mate Tavarna Papalii before fooling Upton to streak 30 metres and make a big splash beneath the uprights. Southwell’s two straightforward conversions made in 12-6 at the break.
Things went even more in the hosts’ favour straight after the restart when speedy winger Jayme Fressard added to her two tries on Origin debut a fortnight ago in Brisbane, beating opposite number Jasmine Peters into the left corner. And the contest was effectively put to bed in the 46th minute, through a combination of NSW’s fourth try and Upton’s injury.
The ace fullback appeared to strain her hamstring being wrong-footed by a flying Jaime Chapman, who benefitted from some slick hands despite the greasy ball to find space down the right flank. Kernick put an exclamation mark on the Blues’ brilliant performance with another signature score, splitting a web of would-be tacklers to complete her brace under the sticks.
The series now concludes with a dead rubber at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday 29 May.
GAMESTAR: Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick cemented her status as one of the premier players in the women’s game, with a rampant two-try performance.
GAMEBREAKER: Kernick’s second — shrugging off three maroon jumpers — sealed the series with nine minutes remaining.
MATCHFACTS
BLUES
1 Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels)
2 Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)
3 Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters)
4 Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)
5 Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters)
6 Tiana Penitani (Cronulla Sharks)
7 Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights)
8 Simaima Taufa (Canberra Raiders)
9 Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters)
10 Ellie Johnston (Cronulla Sharks)
11 Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers)
12 Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights)
13 Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)
Subs (all used)
14 Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters)
15 Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels)
16 Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers)
17 Emma Verran (Cronulla Sharks)
Tries: Taufa (17), Kernick (30, 62), Fressard (39), Chapman (46)
Goals: Southwell 3/5
MAROONS
1 Tamika Upton (Brisbane Broncos)
2 Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos)
3 Shenae Ciesiolka (Brisbane Broncos)
4 Rory Owen (Parramatta Eels)
5 Jasmine Peters (North Queensland Cowboys)
6 Tarryn Aiken (Sydney Roosters)
7 Ali Brigginshaw (Brisbane Broncos)
8 Makenzie Weale (North Queensland Cowboys)
9 Lauren Brown (Gold Coast Titans)
10 Jessika Elliston (Gold Coast Titans)
11 Sienna Lofipo (Gold Coast Titans)
12 Romy Teitzel (Brisbane Broncos)
13 Keilee Joseph (Brisbane Broncos)
Subs (all used)
14 Jada Ferguson (Brisbane Broncos)
15 Sophie Holyman (Canberra Raiders)
16 Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Brisbane Broncos)
17 Tavarna Papalii (Sydney Roosters)
Tries: Upton (6)
Goals: Brown 1/1
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 12-6; 16-6, 20-6, 26-6
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
Blues: Olivia Kernick; Maroons: Sienna Lofipo
Penalty count: 4-5
Half-time: 12-6
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Attendance: 16,026
