New South Wales Blues 12 - 4 Queensland Maroons (Game III)
The Blues complete a historic 3-0 series sweep, the first clean sheet in Women's State of Origin history.
Series Overview
The New South Wales Blues women's rugby league team defeated the Queensland Maroons 12-4 in Game III of the 2026 Women's State of Origin series at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on May 28, 2026. The result gave New South Wales a 3-0 series sweep, the first clean sheet in the history of the women's competition. The series was played over three matches in April and May 2026.
Series Results
- Game I: New South Wales 11, Queensland 6 (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, April 30)
- Game II: New South Wales 14, Queensland 10 (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, May 14)
- Game III: New South Wales 12, Queensland 4 (Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, May 28)
New South Wales Wins Series Opener
New South Wales won Game I 11-6 in front of 20,179 spectators at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. This was New South Wales' first win at the venue in women's Origin.
After Queensland took an early lead with a debut try by Otesa Pule in the second minute, New South Wales tied the score in the 50th minute through a try by Ellie Johnston, converted by Jesse Southwell. With the score tied at 6-6 in the 71st minute, Southwell kicked a field goal—the first of her career—to give the Blues the lead. Jess Sergis scored a try at full-time to secure the victory.
Queensland prop Makenzie Weale was ruled out of the match after a head injury assessment in the second minute. Queensland lock Keilee Joseph was also forced from the field with a head injury and did not return.
New South Wales Secures Series in Game II
In Game II at Suncorp Stadium, New South Wales won 14-10 to secure back-to-back series titles.
Jaime Chapman scored the opening try for the Blues in the ninth minute. Keeley Nizza scored from dummy half in the 23rd minute to extend the lead to 8-0. Queensland responded with a try by Rory Owen in the 30th minute, reducing the deficit to 8-6 at halftime.
In the second half, Jada Ferguson scored for Queensland to give the Maroons a 10-8 lead. Jessie Sergis scored for New South Wales in the 47th minute, and Jesse Southwell converted from the sideline to make the final score 14-10. In the final minute, Queensland winger Jasmine Peters appeared to score, but the try was disallowed after a video review showed her foot had touched the touchline during a tackle by Teagan Berry. The crowd was 23,846.
New South Wales Completes Sweep in Game III
New South Wales won the final match 12-4 in front of 11,816 spectators. The score was tied 4-4 at halftime.
New South Wales captain Isabelle Kelly scored the first try in the 26th minute, which was not converted. Queensland's Jasmine Peters responded with a try shortly afterward, also unconverted. Southwell kicked a penalty goal in the 48th minute to give New South Wales a 6-4 lead. Jayme Fressard scored for New South Wales in the 53rd minute, with Southwell converting to make the final score 12-4. Queensland had multiple sets on the New South Wales line in the final seven minutes but were unable to score.
Series Awards and Milestones
- Katrina Fanning Medal (Player of the Series): Yasmin Meakes (New South Wales)
- Player of the Match (Game III): Isabelle Kelly (New South Wales)
- Kezie Apps (New South Wales) made her 20th appearance.
- Destiny Mino-Sinapati and Lillian Yarrow made their debuts for Queensland in Game III.
Team Selection and Squad Changes
New South Wales
The Blues squad for Game I featured fourteen players who were part of the 2025 series-winning team. Millie Elliott returned to the team after missing the 2025 series due to pregnancy. Teagan Berry was selected for her Origin debut on the interchange bench. Corban Baxter returned for the first time since 2024 after missing the previous year due to injury. Tiana Penitani Gray was named at back row, moving from her previous positions of centre and five-eighth. Jocelyn Kelleher was named at five-eighth.
For Game II, Rima Butler made her Origin debut from the interchange, replacing the injured Tiana Penitani Gray (knee). Kezie Apps moved from the bench to the second row.
Queensland
The Maroons entered the series without several key players. Ali Brigginshaw had retired from State of Origin earlier in the year. Tarryn Aiken was unavailable due to a torn ACL. Shannon Mato, the 2024 player of the series, was not named for the series. Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, and Otesa Pule made their Origin debuts in Game I. For Game II, Jasmine Peters joined the squad, replacing the injured Hippi (hamstring). Keilee Joseph and Makenzie Weale were under medical protocols for head knocks sustained in Game I.
Pre-Match Context
Both teams entered the series without having played a competitive match in 2026, aside from the February All Star game, due to the scheduling of the NSW and Queensland Cup seasons. The training block, which included internal trials, served as primary preparation.
New South Wales coach John Strange stated he was pleased with the "well-balanced team," noting the six-week training block provided an opportunity for players and staff to connect. Queensland coach Nathan Cross, in his first series in charge, stated that selection was based on players who have been consistent and put the team first.