# 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.

## 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. 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.

### 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 | New South Wales | New South Wales | New South Wales | New South Wales | 2024 State Club | 2024 State Club | NRLW | NRLW | NRLW | Tests | All Stars |
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | Dbt | M | T | G | Pts | Club | M | 2024 Club | CM | TM | Tests | All Stars |
| 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.
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 | 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 | 26–16 | New South Wales | Ipswich |
| 2003 | | Queensland | | New South Wales | |
| 2004 | July 24 | Queensland | 40–8 | New South Wales | Suncorp Stadium |
| 2004 | | Queensland | 46–8 | New South Wales | Newcastle |
| 2005 | Aug 6 | Queensland | 20–18 | New South Wales | Henson Park |

### 2006

* 30 July 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 |
* Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

### 2007

* 13 August 2007 3.30 PM
| 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 | |
* CUA Stadium, Penrith

### 2008

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

#### Game 1

* 8 July 2008
| Queensland Women | 8 – 6 | New South Wales Women |
| Tries Steph Hancock 1 Tegan Rolfe 1 | Report | Tries 1 Jessica Palmer Goals 1 Teina Clark |
* CUA Stadium, Penrith Player of the Match: Renae Kunst

#### Game 2

* 9 August 2008
| 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 | Tries 1 Lisa Fiaola |
* Kougari Oval, Brisbane

### 2009

* 18 July 2009 1:40 PM
| 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 |
* CUA Stadium, Penrith Player of the Match: Tahnee Norris

### 2010

* 26 June 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 | Tries 1 Kylie Hilder Goals 1 Teina Clark |
* Albert Park, Gympie Referee: Jon Kennedy Player of the Match: Latisha Gary

### 2011

* 25 May 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 | Tries: nil Goals: nil |
* Suncorp Stadium

### 2012

* 23 June 2012 3.30 PM
| 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 |
* Penrith Park Player of the Match: Heather Ballinger

### 2013

* 7 April 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 |
* Davies Park, West End, Brisbane

### 2014

* 19 July 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 |
* Leichhardt Oval

### 2015

* 27 June 2015
| New South Wales Women | 4 – 4 | Queensland Women |
| Tries: Isabelle Kelly 1 | Report HT 0–4 | Tries: 1 Chelsea Baker |
* 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville

### 2016

* 23 July 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 |
* 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

* 23 July 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 |
* WIN Stadium, Wollongong Referee: Chris Treneman Player of the Match: Kezie Apps

### 2018

* 22 June 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') |
* 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

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

### 2020

* 13 November 2020 7:45 PM
| 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 |
* Sunshine Coast Stadium Player of the Match: Tarryn Aiken Referee: Belinda Sharpe

### 2021

* 25 June 2021 7:45 PM
| 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 |
* Sunshine Coast Stadium Attendance: 7,183 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Tazmin Gray

### 2022

* 24 June 2022 7:45 PM
| 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 | 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 |
* 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.

#### Game 1

* 1 June 2023 7:45 PM
| 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 | Tries: 2 1 (16') Jessica Sergis 1 (50') Jaime Chapman Goals: 1 1/2 Jesse Southwell (18') |
* CommBank Stadium, Parramatta Attendance: 12,972 Referee: Adam Gee Player of the Match: Keilee Joseph (Nellie Doherty Medal)

#### Game 2

* 22 June 2023 7:45 PM
| 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 | Tries: 3 1 (17') Tamika Upton 1 (25') Emily Bass 1 (27') Tarryn Aiken Goals: 1 1/3 Zahara Temara (29') |
* Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 18,275 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Tazmin Gray (Nellie Doherty Medal)

### 2024
#### Game 1

* 16 May 2024 7:45 PM
| 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 | Tries: 2 1 (53') Tamika Upton 1 (67') Emily Bass Goals: 2 2/2 Zahara Temara (53', 68') |
* Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 25,492 Referee: Kasey Badger Player of the Match: Yasmin Clydsdale

#### Game 2

* Thursday, 6 June 2024 7:45 PM
| 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 | Tries: 2 1 (24') Keeley Davis 1 (58') Tiana Penitani Goals: 1 1/2 Rachael Pearson (25') |
* McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Attendance: 25,782 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Shannon Mato

#### Game 3

* Thursday, 27 June 2024 7:45 PM
| 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 | Tries: 1 1 (58') Jaime Chapman Goals: 1 Rachael Pearson 1/1 (59') |
* Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 22,819 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Evania Pelite Nellie Doherty Medal for Player of the Series: Shannon Mato