NSW Blues announce Women's State of Origin Game I team

NSW have named a 20-woman squad for Game I of State of Origin, including four players yet to make their debut for the Blues.

Eleven players involved in last year's series defeat to Queensland have been named in the squad, along with potential debutants Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels), Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), and Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters).

What's next for women's rugby league? Photo shows Queensland Maroons prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi holds her arms out after winning Women's State of Origin III. As 22,000 fans let out a "Queenslander" chant to drive their heroes home in the first Women's State of Origin decider, it became clear how immense 2024 could be for rugby league in Australia.

The squad also contains four players — Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels), Shaylee Bent (Gold Coast Titans), Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights) and Kirra Dibb (North Queensland Cowboys) — who also have Origin experience.

NSW coach John Strange said it was difficult to choose the 20-woman squad following a training block of 30 players who were "outstanding".

"All 30 players were outstanding over this period making it a very difficult decision to cut the squad down to 20.

"The players who are selected for Game I certainly have earned their position and I can’t wait for them to take the field on 1 May."

All three matches of the 2025 Women's State of Origin series will be played in May.

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Game I will be held at Lang Park in Brisbane on Thursday, May 1, officially beginning the NRL's Magic Round.

The series will then move south to the Sydney Football Stadium on May 15, and conclude at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle on May 29.

NSW won the opening match of the 2024 series at Lang Park 22-12.

The Blues had a lead late in Game II before losing 11-10 at a rain-soaked Hunter Stadium.

The Maroons produced the best performance of either side in the decider at Townsville to claim the shield with a 22-6 victory.

NSW Blues Game I squad

Kezie Apps — Wests Tigers

Shaylee Bent — Gold Coast Titans

Jaime Chapman — Gold Coast Titans

Kennedy Cherrington — Parramatta Eels

Abbi Church — Parramatta Eels

Yasmin Clydsdale — Newcastle Knights

Keeley Davis — Sydney Roosters

Kirra Dibb — North Queensland Cowboys

Jayme Fressard — Sydney Roosters

Olivia Higgins — Newcastle Knights

Ellie Johnston — Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Jocelyn Kelleher — Sydney Roosters

Isabelle Kelly — Sydney Roosters

Olivia Kernick — Sydney Roosters

Tiana Penitani Gray — Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Jessica Sergis — Sydney Roosters

Jesse Southwell — Newcastle Knights

Simaima Taufa — Canberra Raiders

Sarah Togatuki — Wests Tigers

Emma Verran — Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

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