45 mins: Once again NSW manage to work the ball right down to the line, but Queensland’s try line defence has been sensational, they are a brick wall tonight. NSW are clearly hurting from being unable to get over the line and Kelleher absolutely smashes the Maroons in defence and forces a knock on, which turns into a penalty when the offside player picks up the ball. Then another penalty for NSW – they are desperate to score.

43 mins: Queensland start on the 20m line after Southwell’s grubber goes dead in goal and they start the set strongly, but Manzelmann loses the ball in the tackle on the halfway line and NSW get another opportunity in attack.

41 mins: An error from Queensland gives NSW the scrum feed near the halfway line and then the Maroons concede a penalty and NSW are making some ground. They come very close to scoring on both edges, but can’t get over the line.

39 mins: More of a tentative set from NSW, but it’s finished with a good bomb from Southwell. Upton fields it very well under pressure and Queensland come into the set with momentum and then pick up a penalty. Joseph has left the field for the Maroons, so we’ll keep an eye on that.

37 mins: A strong set from NSW to start the half, making a 40m gain and putting pressure on Robinson on the kick return. They’re tackling strongly as well in defence and keep Queensland in their own half.

The Maroons have kicked off and the second half is underway!

Both teams are looking pretty calm and composed in the sheds. According to the half-time analysis, Olivia Kernick is the key for the Blues in the second half, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on her to see what she can spark.

34 mins: NSW are looking to build something late in the half, but Fressard loses focus and drops the ball and now Queensland have the opportunity to increase their lead going into half time.

32 mins: NSW are in great position, but Apps drops the ball running through a gap and they lose the opportunity. A solid set from Queensland is met with strong Blues defence. The Maroons nearly create an opportunity picking up their own kick in space, but they knock it on.

30 mins: Kiria-Ratu puts up a massive kick, but the bounce is favourable for NSW and it goes into touch in goal, so NSW get to start their set from the 20m line and then NSW get a penalty 35m out from Queensland’s line.

28 mins: OK, well I kind of jinxed things there – NSW let the ball bounce, Church loses control in the tackle, but it goes backwards, Chapman picks it up and sprints down the sideline and makes huge ground. NSW get close to the tryline in the set, but can’t cross it.

26 mins: Things are looking a little bit cautious out there at moment, no big attacking plays being put out, both teams are focusing on completing their sets, tackling hard and putting up big kicks to try to force an error.

24 mins: Some strong sets during the middle part of this half, neither team is willing to give an inch. The errors have settled down a little now and both teams have been kicking extremely well.

22 mins: A good kick from Queensland as well – Chapman gathers and makes 10m running about 40m sideways. Kelleher puts up another very good kick and Upton drops it, but it’s ruled a knock back and the Novacastrian crowd is not happy.

20 mins: A lovely kick from Southwell on the fifth splits Upton and Hippi, but Hippi manages to gather it in the in goal and get back into the field of play.

18 mins: Some quick ball work from Queensland keeps them moving up the field and then NSW concede a penalty and the Maroons are back in a strong attacking position. They look like they may find a gap, but another error gives NSW some breathing room and a scrum feed.

16 mins: Kelleher finishes the Blues’ set with a sensational kick, which Upton is forced to play at – it slips through her fingertips and goes into touch, giving NSW the ball back through a line drop out. NSW have space out wide, but they mess up the pass out to Chapman and then Cherrington drops the ball.

14 mins: Southwell finishes the set with a much better kick than the Blues’ last effort, but Hippi takes it well and passes off to Upton who puts on a strong run up the sideline, finally brought down by Church. An error to Pule late in the set gives the ball back to NSW.

12 mins: A disappointing kick for the Blues on the last tackle hands the ball straight to the Maroons and they’re back in defence. Queensland plays a solid set and finishes with a decent kick, but Fressard attacks it well and sprints downfield to get her team in good position to start the set.

10 mins: A change in decision due to bunker interference and Queensland get a 20m tap instead, much to the disappointment of the Blues. Joseph makes a strong hit up to gain some ground for the Maroons, but Elliott for the Blues is caught in the crossfire and has to be assessed for a head injury, but is cleared to continue. There’s a penalty to NSW following the kick, as Teitzel gets in the way of the Blues collecting the kick.

8 mins: The crowd is getting into it now and the Blues get another penalty in the set to put them in an attacking position. Bad news for the Maroons, Weale has been ruled out of the match with a grade 1 HIA. Southwell puts up a nice kick and the Maroons will be forced into a line drop out.

6 mins: More possession for the Maroons and they’re playing with confidence, as NSW defend their hardest as they try to not let this score blow out early. They hold on to the kick at the end of the set this time and get a little stuck on their line, but they get a penalty and some much-needed field position.

2 mins: Strong early tackles from the Blues, who have come out hard. Not even 30 seconds in and referee Belinda Sharpe halts things with a head injury concern for Makenzie Weale and she has to leave the ground for an assessment. Otesa Pule comes on in her place. Despite that, it’s a solid first set for the Maroons and then nerves get the better of Church and she drops the ball from the kick and the Maroons get a scrum feed 10m out.

The Blues have kicked off and we’re off and running in women’s State of Origin 2026!

Teams are on the field now and the Welcome to Country and the anthem ceremony are underway.

We’re getting close to kick off now and the nerves are high in the changerooms. Not only are the Blues hoping to get their first win at McDonald Jones Stadium, but they are aware that the next two games are in Queensland, so it’s even more important to get off to a good start in the series tonight.

If you’d like to take a deeper dive into Queensland’s revamped team, Jack Snape has got you covered. You’ve got time before kick off to read this interesting piece.

The Blues don’t have many surprises, lining up as named 1-17. They have 14 players from last year’s series win returning, and also feature Teagan ‘Flash’ Berry on debut coming off the bench, as well as Millie Elliott making her much-anticipated return after having a baby last year. They will be hoping for a strong performance with an experienced team on the park.

Queensland have a few more changes, due to the injuries and retirements we spoke about earlier. They have also brought Ivana Lolesio into the starting side from the interchange bench. Most interesting is their selection of Otesa Pule, the New Zealand international, after Origin eligibility rules changed and allowed her to participate. Although some may argue that Origin eligibility rules have always been murky at best…