New South Wales women's rugby league team

The New South Wales Women's rugby league team represents the Australian state of New South Wales in Women's rugby league football. Also known as the Sky Blues due to their sky blue jerseys, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against the neighboring team, the Queensland Women's rugby league team.^[1][2][3]

New South Wales Women

Team information
Nickname	Sky Blues
Governing body	New South Wales Women's Rugby League
Region	New South Wales
Head coach	Kylie Hilder
Home stadium	North Sydney Oval
Team results
First game
(1999)
Biggest win
New South Wales 22–6 Queensland (WIN Stadium, Wollongong, NSW; 23 July 2017)

History

The first state of Origin match began in 1999. Since that time, a 17-year reign had been completed by the Queensland side.

New South Wales won their first interstate challenge in 2016 after coming so close to winning in 2015, drawing with Queensland 4 all. New South Wales would then win back to back title winning in 2017. In 2018 New South Wales won the first ever Women's State of Origin match which was held at North Sydney Oval in mid-2018.NSW retained the shield with a win once again at North Sydney Oval in 2019.

Players

New South Wales women's squad for the first match of the three-match series was announced on 8 May 2024.^[4] The first match was played on 16 May 2023. The second match was played on 6 June 2024 with an unchanged team. The squad named for the third match was also unchanged, although Olivia Kernick was named in jersey 13, reflecting the position, lock, which she played in the first two matches.^[5]

Current squad

Table last updated 28 June 2024. Tallies in the table include the third match of the 2024 series against Queensland.

J#	Player	Age	Position(s)	New South Wales					2024 State Club		NRLW			Tests	All Stars
				Dbt	M	T	G	Pts	Club	M	2024 Club	CM	TM
1	Emma Tonegato	29	Fullback	2012	8	2	0	8	—	0	Sharks	9	22	9	1
2	Jaime Chapman	22	Wing	2023	5	3	0	12	Seagulls	1	Titans	9	23	5	4
3	Jessica Sergis	26	Centre	2017	10	5	0	20	—	0	Roosters	18	28	7	—
4	Isabelle Kelly	27	Centre	2015	13	5	0	20	—	0	Roosters	30	32	13	1
5	Tiana Penitani	28	Wing	2019	8	4	0	16	—	0	Sharks	9	25	1 1	—
6	Corban Baxter	30	Five-eighth	2015	10	1	0	4	—	0	Roosters	22	22	7	1 4
7	Rachael Pearson	30	Halfback	2022	5	0	11	22	—	0	Eels	6	18	—	—
8	Millie Elliott	26	Prop	2019	9	0	0	0	—	0	Roosters	8	28	1	—
9	Olivia Higgins	31	Hooker	2024	3	0	0	0	—	0	Knights	18	25	—	—
10	Caitlan Johnston	23	Prop	2022	4	0	0	0	—	0	Knights	18	21	4	4
11	Kezie Apps	33	Second-row	2014	14	2	0	8	Clydesdales	3	Tigers	7	26	15	2
12	Yasmin Clydsdale	30	Second-row	2020	8	1	0	4	—	0	Knights	18	29	6	—
13	Olivia Kernick	23	Lock, Second-row	2022	6	0	0	0	Seagulls	4	Roosters	23	23	6	2 2
14	Taliah Fuimaono	25	Hooker, Five-eighth	2023	5	0	0	0	—	0	Titans	1	14	1 3	4
15	Keeley Davis	23	Lock, Hooker	2021	7	1	0	4	Clydesdales	4	Roosters	9	32	6	—
16	Grace Kemp	23	Prop, Lock	2024	3	0	0	0	—	0	Raiders	9	9	—	1
17	Sarah Togatuki	26	Prop, Lock	2020	8	0	0	0	—	0	Tigers	7	26	1	—
18	Jakiya Whitfeld	23	Wing, Centre	—	0	0	0	0	Cutters	2	Cowboys	0	11	1	—
19	Kirra Dibb	26	Halfback, Five-eighth	2019	2	1	1	6	—	0	Cowboys	9	27	1	3
20	Ellie Johnston	23	Prop, Second-row	—	0	0	0	0	—	0	Sharks	9	24	—	—

Notes

• Age is at 28 June 2024.
• Emma Tonegato played for the New South Wales women's rugby league team in 2012 and 2013.^[6]

Key to icons used in the above table

• Tests: Australia , Samoa  and Tonga 
• All Stars: Indigenous All Stars, Māori All Stars, All Stars

Results

Results From 1999–2005

Year	Date	Winner	Score	Loser	Ground
1999	July 4	Queensland[7]	16–14	New South Wales	ANZ Stadium (Brisbane)
2000	July 9	Queensland		New South Wales	ANZ Stadium (Brisbane)
2001	July 22	Queensland	34–14	New South Wales	ANZ Stadium (Brisbane)
2002		Queensland[8]	26–16	New South Wales	Ipswich
2003		Queensland		New South Wales
2004	July 24	Queensland	40–8	New South Wales	Suncorp Stadium
		Queensland	46–8	New South Wales	Newcastle
2005	Aug 6	Queensland	20–18	New South Wales	Henson Park

2006

Queensland Women	40 – 24	New South Wales Women
Tries Steph Hancock 2 Leah Williams 2 Teresa Anderson 1 Karyn Murphy 1 Megan Spicer 1 Goals Neena Fraser 4 Steph Hancock 1 Megan Spicer 1	Report	Tries 1 Teina Clark 1 Dahlia Tahu 1 Nadine Schmidt 1 Johnnie Tukwaho Goals 4 Teina Clark

30 July 2006

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

2007

Queensland Women	38 – 16	New South Wales Women
Tries Rachele Whelan 2 Bianca Ambrum 1 Teresa Anderson 1 Kellie Batchelor 1 Suzanne Johnson 1 Leah Williams 1 Goals Kellie Batchelor 5	Report HT 12-10

13 August 2007 3.30 PM

CUA Stadium, Penrith

2008

The Woman's Interstate Challenge was played as a two-game series in 2008.

Game 1

Queensland Women	8 – 6	New South Wales Women
Tries Steph Hancock 1 Tegan Rolfe 1	Report	Tries 1 Jessica Palmer Goals 1 Teina Clark

8 July 2008

CUA Stadium, Penrith Player of the Match: Renae Kunst

Game 2

Queensland Women	46 – 4	New South Wales Women
Tries Bianca Ambrum 3 Suzanne Johnson 2 Tarah Westera 2 Tegan Rolfe 1 Renae Kunst 1 Steph Hancock 1 Goals Steph Hancock 3	Report Scores[9]	Tries 1 Lisa Fiaola

9 August 2008

Kougari Oval, Brisbane

2009

Queensland Women	20 – 14	New South Wales Women
Tries Erin Elliott 1 Tahnee Norris 1 Nive Moefaauo 1 Tarah Westera 1 Goals Natalie Dwyer 1 Tegan Rolfe 1	Report	Tries 1 Poihaera Clark 1 Natalie Levy 1 Jessica Palmer Goals 1 Renee Gloss

18 July 2009 1:40 PM

CUA Stadium, Penrith Player of the Match: Tahnee Norris[10]

2010

Queensland Women	36 – 6	New South Wales Women
Tries Latisha Gary 2 Tegan Rolfe 2 Karina Brown 1 Natalie Dwyer 1 Suzanne Johnson 1 Goals Natalie Dwyer 4	Report Report[11]	Tries 1 Kylie Hilder Goals 1 Teina Clark

26 June 2010

Albert Park, Gympie Referee: Jon Kennedy[12] Player of the Match: Latisha Gary

2011

Queensland Women	26 – 0	New South Wales Women
Tries: Natalie Dwyer 1 Bianca Ambrum 1 Natasha Baggow 1 Natalie Gala 1 Karyn Murphy 1 Steph Hancock 1 Goals: Natalie Dwyer 1	Report[13]	Tries: nil Goals: nil

25 May 2011

Suncorp Stadium

2012

Queensland Women	34 – 10	New South Wales Women
Tries: Bianca Ambrum 4 Natalie Dwyer 2 Karina Brown 1 Karyn Murphy 1 Goals: Amber Saltner 1	Report QLD Annual Report HT 16–10	Tries: 1 Tarah Westen 1 Samantha Hammond Goals: 1 Maddie Studdon

23 June 2012 3.30 PM

Penrith Park Player of the Match: Heather Ballinger

2013

Queensland Women	30 – 12	New South Wales Women
Tries: Bianca Ambrum 1 Steph Hancock 1 Amber Saltner 1 Joanne Barrett 1 Renae Kunst 1 Tahnee Norris 1 Goals: Amber Saltner 3	QLD Annual Report Video Snippet HT 10–6	Tries: 2 Tegan Chandler Goals: 2 Margaret Watson

7 April 2013

Davies Park, West End, Brisbane

2014

Queensland Women	26 – 10	New South Wales Women
Tries: Renae Kunst 1 Deanna Turner 1 Kellye Hodges 1 Jenni-Sue Hoepper 1 Steph Hancock 1 Goals: Ali Brigginshaw 2 Jenni-Sue Hoepper 1	Report HT 16–0	Tries: 1 Teina Clark 1 Kezie Apps Goals: 1 Maddie Studdon

19 July 2014

Leichhardt Oval

2015

New South Wales Women	4 – 4	Queensland Women
Tries: Isabelle Kelly 1	Report HT 0–4	Tries: 1 Chelsea Baker

27 June 2015

1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville

2016

New South Wales Women	8 – 4	Queensland Women
Tries: Simaima Taufa 1 Goals: Maddie Studdon 2	Report HT 0–0	Tries: 1 Ali Brigginshaw

23 July 2016

Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast Player of the Match: Kezie Apps

Notes:

• This was the first time New South Wales won the trophy in all women's interstate challenge history.

2017

New South Wales Women	22 – 6	Queensland Women
Tries: Jessica Sergis 3 Corban McGregor 1 Vanessa Foliaki 1 Goals: Caitlin Moran 1	Report QRL Annual Report HT 10–6	Tries: 1 Jenni-Sue Hoepper Goals: 1 Chelsea Baker

23 July 2017

WIN Stadium, Wollongong Referee: Chris Treneman Player of the Match: Kezie Apps

2018

New South Wales Women	16 – 10	Queensland Women
Tries: Isabelle Kelly (7', 54') 2 Nakia Davis-Welsh (36') 1 Goals: Maddie Studdon 2/3 (9', 55')	Report Highlights HT 6–6	Tries: 2 (12', 45') Karina Brown Goals: 1/2 Chelsea Baker (13')

22 June 2018

North Sydney Oval, Sydney Player of the Match: Isabelle Kelly Attendance: 6,824 Referee: Jon Stone Peter Gough (Assistant)

Notes:

• First official Women's State of Origin match.

2019

New South Wales Women	14 – 4	Queensland Women
Tries: Jessica Sergis 1 Shakiah Tungai 1 Maddie Studdon 1 Goals: Kirra Dibb 1	Report Highlights HT 0–4	Tries: 1 Tazmin Gray Goals: nil

21 June 2019

North Sydney Oval, Sydney Player of the Match: Maddie Studdon Attendance: 10,300 Referee: Belinda Sharpe

2020

Queensland Women	24 – 18	New South Wales Women
Tries: Tamika Upton 2 Tarryn Aiken 1 Steph Hancock 1 Goals: Lauren Brown 4	Report Highlights HT 6–6	Tries: 1 Kezie Apps 1 Tiana Penitani 1 Filomina Hanisi 1 Botille Vette-Welsh Goals: 1 Melanie Howard

13 November 2020 7:45 PM

Sunshine Coast Stadium Player of the Match: Tarryn Aiken Referee: Belinda Sharpe

2021

Queensland Women	8 – 6	New South Wales Women
Tries: Destiny Brill 1 Goals: Lauren Brown 2	Report Highlights HT 6–4	Tries: 1 Isabelle Kelly Goals: 1 Maddie Studdon

25 June 2021 7:45 PM

Sunshine Coast Stadium Attendance: 7,183 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Tazmin Gray

2022

New South Wales	20 – 14	Queensland
Tries: 3 Emma Tonegato (13') 1 Kirra Dibb (15') 1 Isabelle Kelly (67') 1 Goals: Rachael Pearson 4/5 (14', 17', 27', 41')	HT 14–10 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports[14]	Tries: 3 1 (8') Destiny Brill 1 (21') Tarryn Aiken 1 (56') Evania Pelite Goals: 1 1/2 Ali Brigginshaw (22') 0/2 Lauren Brown

24 June 2022 7:45 PM

GIO Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 11,321 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Isabelle Kelly (Nellie Doherty Medal)

2023

The two-match series was decided — as the teams won one match each — on aggregate, with Queensland winning 32–28.^[15]

Game 1

Queensland	18 – 10	New South Wales
Tries: 4 Julia Robinson (7', 45') 2 Tazmin Gray (32') 1 Emily Bass (40') 1 Goals: 1 Zahara Temara 1/4 (34')	HT 10–6 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports[16][17]	Tries: 2 1 (16') Jessica Sergis 1 (50') Jaime Chapman Goals: 1 1/2 Jesse Southwell (18')

1 June 2023 7:45 PM

CommBank Stadium, Parramatta Attendance: 12,972 Referee: Adam Gee Player of the Match: Keilee Joseph (Nellie Doherty Medal)

Game 2

New South Wales	18 – 14	Queensland
Tries: 3 Tiana Penitani (3', 40') 2 Yasmin Clydsdale (68' penalty try) 1 Goals: 3 Jesse Southwell 3/5 (9', 45', 69')	HT 6-14 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [18][19][20]	Tries: 3 1 (17') Tamika Upton 1 (25') Emily Bass 1 (27') Tarryn Aiken Goals: 1 1/3 Zahara Temara (29')

22 June 2023 7:45 PM

Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 18,275 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Tazmin Gray (Nellie Doherty Medal)

2024

Game 1

New South Wales	22 – 12	Queensland
Tries: 3 Emma Tonegato (5') 1 Jaime Chapman (9') 1 Caitlan Johnston (64') 1 Goals: 5 Rachael Pearson 5/5 (6', 10', 18', 38, 65')	HT 14-0 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [21][22]	Tries: 2 1 (53') Tamika Upton 1 (67') Emily Bass Goals: 2 2/2 Zahara Temara (53', 68')

16 May 2024 7:45 PM

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 25,492 Referee: Kasey Badger Player of the Match: Yasmin Clydsdale

Game 2

Queensland	11 – 10	New South Wales
Tries: 2 Shenae Ciesiolka (54') 1 Tarryn Aiken (61')1 Goals: 1 Lauren Brown 1/2 (63') Field Goals: 1 Lauren Brown 1 (68')	1st: 6–0 2nd: 4–11 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [23][24][25]	Tries: 2 1 (24') Keeley Davis 1 (58') Tiana Penitani Goals: 1 1/2 Rachael Pearson (25')

Thursday, 6 June 2024 7:45 PM

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Attendance: 25,782 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Shannon Mato

Game 3

Queensland	22 – 6	New South Wales
Tries: 3 Evania Pelite (1') 1 Julia Robinson (29') 1 Tazmin Rapana (67') 1 Goals: 5 Lauren Brown 4/4 (3', 8' pen, 31', 68') Romy Teitzel 1/1 (38' pen)	1st: 14–0 2nd: 8–6 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [26][27]	Tries: 1 1 (58') Jaime Chapman Goals: 1 Rachael Pearson 1/1 (59')

Thursday, 27 June 2024 7:45 PM

Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 22,819 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Evania Pelite[28] Nellie Doherty Medal for Player of the Series: Shannon Mato[29]

See also

• New South Wales State team
• New South Wales Residents team
• New South Wales Under-20 team
• New South Wales Under-18 team
• New South Wales Under-16 team
• Holden Women's Premiership
• Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership
• New South Wales Women's Rugby League

References

1. "NSW Women's Interstate Challenge side named". 22 June 2015.
2. "Women's Interstate Challenge ends in draw". 27 June 2015.
3. "NSW Women's Interstate Team Announced". 18 July 2016.
4. "Westpac NSW Sky Blues name two debutants for Game One". NSWRL. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
5. "NSW Sky Blues unchanged for Origin decider". NSWRL. 18 Jun 2024. Retrieved 18 Jun 2024.
6. Newton, Alicia (20 Jun 2022). "Dibb recalled as Hilder finalises NSW team". NRL. Retrieved 20 Jun 2022.
7. Edwards, Colleen (20 Nov 2020). "A Queensland legacy is born – the first women's Interstate Challenge game". QRL. Retrieved 21 Mar 2021.
8. "Australian Womens Rugby League". Australian Rugby League 2002 Annual Report. 19. Sydney: Australian Rugby League: 28. 2002.
9. "State Of Origin 2 Helps Decide World Cup Squad". Our Footy Team Archives. 4 Sep 2008. Retrieved 21 Mar 2021.
10. Yvette Downey (2009). "Australian Women's League Report". Australian Rugby Football League Annual Report. 26: 22–23.
11. "Women Brace For Historic Clash". NRL.com. 8 Dec 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
12. Lee, Matthew (15 Sep 2010). "Gympie referee scores top job". Gympie Times.
13. "Qld women power to 13th Cup victory". Queensland Times. 26 May 2011. p. 29.
14. Robertson, Josh (24 Jun 2022). "Kelly shines as Blues regain Origin dominance". League Unlimited. Retrieved 26 Jun 2022.
15. Newton, Alicia (26 May 2022). "Points aggregate to determine Origin winner if series drawn". NRL. Retrieved 1 Jun 2023.
16. Rosser, Corey (1 Jun 2023). "Queensland backs fire in opening win". NRL. Retrieved 2 Jun 2023.
17. Huxtable, Adam (1 Jun 2023). "Maroons triumph to take an 8-point lead in the first leg of Women's State of Origin". League Unlimited. Retrieved 2 Jun 2023.
18. Davies, Justin (22 Jun 2023). "Blues late surge not enough for shield". League Unlimited. Retrieved 24 Jun 2023.
19. "Sky Blues fight back for Game Two win despite series defeat". NSWRL. 22 Jun 2023. Retrieved 24 Jun 2023.
20. Rosser, Corey (22 Jun 2023). "Maroons lose thrilling Game Two but claim series victory". QRL. Retrieved 24 Jun 2023.
21. Lenehan, Michael (16 May 2024). "Early blitz sets up Sky Blues' Game One triumph". NRL. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
22. Robertson, Josh (16 May 2024). "Blues take first blood in front of record crowd in Brisbane". League Unlimited. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
23. Lenehan, Martin (6 Jun 2024). "Brown slots late winner as Maroons keep Origin series alive". NRL. Retrieved 6 Jun 2024.
24. Hollis, Kelly (6 Jun 2024). "Queensland steal a last minute win to take the first three-game Women's State of Origin series to a decider". League Unlimited. Retrieved 6 Jun 2024.
25. Honeysett, Stuart (6 Jun 2024). "Women's Origin set for decider as Sky Blues suffer one-point loss". NSWRL. Retrieved 6 Jun 2024.
26. Robertson, Josh (27 Jun 2024). "Queensland reign supreme again with impressive win over poor NSW". League Unlimited. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.
27. Rosser, Corey (27 Jun 2024). "Maroons power past Sky Blues for historic series victory". NRL. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.
28. "Player of the Match: Evania Pelite". NRL. 27 Jun 2024. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.
29. Rosser, Corey (27 Jun 2024). "Mato claims 2024 Nellie Doherty Medal". NRL. Retrieved 27 Jun 2024.

External links

• Official website