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Women's State of Origin: Squads Announced for 2026 Series Opener

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2026 Women's State of Origin Series Set to Kick Off

The series begins April 30 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, with both NSW and Queensland unveiling squads featuring debutants, positional changes, and the return of key players.

Match Schedule

  • Game 1: April 30 – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
  • Game 2: May 14 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
  • Game 3: May 28 – Robina Stadium, Gold Coast

All matches will take place on consecutive Thursday evenings.

Pre-Match Preparation

Both teams enter the series opener without having played competitive matches in 2026, aside from February's All Star game. NSW conducted a six-week training block that included two internal matches. Queensland similarly prepared through training camps.

NSW Blues Squad

Team Composition

The NSW Blues team includes 14 players from the 2025 series-winning squad. Isabelle Kelly will captain the side.

Key Selections and Changes

Positional Change: Tiana Penitani Gray, previously a centre, has been named in the second row for the first time in her professional career. Coach John Strange stated the change was considered to allow Kezie Apps to move into the middle. Strange observed Penitani Gray in a 13-minute stint during an internal trial and determined she is suited to the back row.

Returning Players:

  • Millie Elliott returns after missing the 2025 series and NRLW season due to pregnancy.
  • Corban Baxter returns to Origin for the first time since 2024 after missing last year due to injury.

Debutants:

  • Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons) has been named on the interchange bench for her State of Origin debut.
  • Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters) has been named in the extended 20-player squad and could make her debut.

Name Changes: Hooker Keeley Nizza (formerly Davis) and back rower Yasmin Meakes (formerly Clydsdale) will wear new surnames on their jerseys. Jocelyn Kelleher moves into the five-eighth position.

"The team is very well-balanced from 1-17." – NSW Coach John Strange

Full NSW Squad

No. Player Club 1 Abbi Church Parramatta Eels 2 Jaime Chapman Gold Coast Titans 3 Jess Sergis Sydney Roosters 4 Isabelle Kelly (c) Sydney Roosters 5 Jayme Fressard Sydney Roosters 6 Jocelyn Kelleher Sydney Roosters 7 Jesse Southwell Brisbane Broncos 8 Millie Elliott Sydney Roosters 9 Keeley Nizza Sydney Roosters 10 Ellie Johnston Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 11 Tiana Penitani Gray Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 12 Yasmin Meakes Newcastle Knights 13 Olivia Kernick Sydney Roosters 14 Olivia Higgins Newcastle Knights 15 Kennedy Cherrington Parramatta Eels 16 Kezie Apps Wests Tigers 17 Teagan Berry* St George Illawarra Dragons 18 Corban Baxter Sydney Roosters 19 Rima Butler* Sydney Roosters 20 Quincy Dodd Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Denotes players yet to make their NSW debut.

Player Background: Teagan Berry

Berry, a 23-year-old fullback, debuted in the NRLW for the Dragons in 2020 at age 18. She had been selected as 19th or 20th player for the Blues in previous years but did not debut. Berry stated she considered leaving rugby league at the end of last season due to mental health struggles and lack of enjoyment. She credited her family and partner for motivating her to continue. In 2024, she focused on physical and mental preparation, including bulking up and working with coach John Strange.

Queensland Maroons Squad

Team Composition

The Queensland team includes several new players due to the unavailability of key experienced players. This is the first Queensland team since 2015 without Ali Brigginshaw and the first since 2019 without Tarryn Aiken.

Unavailable Players

  • Ali Brigginshaw: Retired from State of Origin earlier this year.
  • Tarryn Aiken: Recovering from a torn ACL sustained at the end of the last NRLW season.
  • Shannon Mato: Unavailable due to a hamstring injury. Mato was the 2024 player of the series and had previously stated a desire to return after missing last year's Origin due to pregnancy.
  • Also not included: Sophie Holyman, Tavarna Papalii, Georgia Hannaway, and Jasmine Peters.

Selection was based on players who have been consistent, compete hard, and put the team first. – Queensland Head Coach Nathan Cross

Debutants and Returns

  • Chantay Kiria-Ratu: Set to make her Origin debut at five-eighth.
  • Phoenix-Raine Hippi: Named for her first Origin match on the wing.
  • Otesa Pule: Named on the bench and could make her first appearance.
  • Ivana Lolesio: Named on the bench and could make her first appearance.
  • Destiny Mino-Sinapati: Uncapped player included in the line-up.
  • Tamika Upton: Returns after missing the 2025 match due to a hip injury.
  • Lauren Brown: Retains the halfback position.

Full Queensland Squad

No. Player Status 1 Tamika Upton Returning 2 Julia Robinson Experienced 3 Rory Owen Experienced 4 Shenae Ciesiolka Experienced 5 Phoenix-Raine Hippi* Debutant 6 Chantay Kiria-Ratu* Debutant 7 Lauren Brown Retained halfback 8 Makenzie Weale Experienced 9 Jada Ferguson Experienced 10 Jess Elliston Experienced 11 Sienna Lofipo Experienced 12 Romy Teitzel Experienced 13 Keilee Joseph Experienced 14 Emma Manzelmann Experienced 15 Otesa Pule* Debutant 16 Chelsea Lenarduzzi Experienced 17 Brianna Clark Experienced 18 Ivana Lolesio* Debutant 19 Destiny Brill Experienced 20 Destiny Mino-Sinapati* Debutant

Denotes uncapped player.

Coaching Staff

Nathan Cross is the new head coach of Queensland, replacing Tahnee Norris.

Coach Statements

NSW Coach John Strange stated he is pleased with the balanced team selection and that the six-week training period allowed players and staff to connect. He noted the team is "very well-balanced from 1-17" and expressed eagerness to begin camp to defend the Shield.

Queensland Head Coach Nathan Cross said selection was based on players who have been consistent, compete hard, and put the team first. He stated the squad has a mix of experience and new energy, and that the debutants earned their selection through their performances.