Southwell's Field Goal Seals Epic Origin Opener for NSW

Key facts

• NSW Blues defeated Queensland Maroons 11-6 in Game One of the 2026 Ampol Women's State of Origin series at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.
• Jesse Southwell kicked a field goal in the 74th minute to break a 6-6 tie; she missed the subsequent conversion.
• The Maroons lost Mackenzie Weale in the opening tackle and Keilee Joseph in the second half to injuries.
• Otesa Pule scored a try on her Origin debut for Queensland, giving them a 6-0 halftime lead.
• NSW prop Ellie Johnston equalised early in the second half.
• Yasmin Meakes made 34 tackles, 8 runs, 4 metres, 3 tackle breaks, and 3 offloads for NSW.
• Game Two is scheduled for May 14 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
• Queensland rookie coach Nathan Cross implemented a six-week selection camp, borrowed from NSW, to improve preparation.

A Clutch Kick Decides a Ferocious Contest

Jesse Southwell, a Newcastle native who will join the Brisbane Broncos in the upcoming NRLW season, delivered a perfectly executed field goal six minutes before fulltime to snatch an 11-6 victory for the Westpac NSW Blues over the Queensland Maroons in the opening game of the 2026 Ampol Women's State of Origin series. The match, played before 20,000 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium, was a brutal, see-sawing affair that saw both sides lose key players to injury. Southwell's kick broke a 6-6 deadlock that had held since early in the second half, and despite missing the subsequent conversion, the Blues held on as Jess Sergis scored a try on the last play of the game to seal the win.

Early Injuries Test Both Sides

The Maroons suffered a devastating blow in the opening tackle when Mackenzie Weale was forced from the field. Her replacement, Otesa Pule, made an immediate impact, scoring a try on her Origin debut to give Queensland a 6-0 lead at halftime. NSW, however, responded early in the second half through prop Ellie Johnston, who levelled the scores. The Maroons' injury woes deepened when Keilee Joseph, arguably their best player, was also lost to injury in the second half. The Blues, meanwhile, had to overcome their own challenges, having let a clean sweep slip through their fingers in Game Three last year, when the Maroons restored pride with an 18-14 victory.

Queensland's New-Look Side Under Nathan Cross

The Maroons entered the series under rookie coach Nathan Cross with a revamped lineup, including Chantay Kiria-Ratu in the halves and Titans wing sensation Phoenix-Raine Hippi. Cross, who took over from the previous coaching staff, borrowed a selection tactic from NSW by establishing a six-week selection camp to better gauge player form. The camps, held at the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane, involved Friday and Saturday sessions focusing on connection and bulk training, with players from Sydney, Canberra, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. The Queensland Rugby League and Rugby Players Association ensured players were fairly compensated for attending, and NRLW clubs helped manage individual workloads.

Yasmin Meakes and the Blues' Strong Start

NSW second-rower Yasmin Meakes, a hometown hero in Newcastle, was determined to start the series strongly. 'We just want to be able to start strong,' she said. 'We do always start really strong, in every series that we've played, but this is the first time we've had (Game One) in Newcastle. So hopefully we're able to keep that trend.' Meakes herself has a history of strong Game One performances, claiming Player of the Match in 2024 with 162 metres, a line-break, and 24 tackles, before producing a try assist and two line-breaks in last year's corresponding fixture. In this match, she made 34 tackles, 8 runs, 4 metres, 3 tackle breaks, and 3 offloads, anchoring the Blues' defence.

The Stakes: Series Momentum and Home Advantage

With Game One so pivotal to the entire series, the Blues' victory gives them a 1-0 lead, a position they have held in each of the previous three-game series (22-12 in 2024, 32-12 in 2025). However, the Maroons now have home ground advantage for the remaining two games, with Game Two at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 14 and the potential decider on the Gold Coast. Despite the narrow loss, Queensland will be buoyed by their performance and the fact that they led at halftime. The Blues, meanwhile, will be concerned about their ability to close out games after letting a clean sweep slip last year.

What Comes Next: Origin II and Selection Decisions

The Maroons may be forced into changes for Origin II after losing Keilee Joseph and Mackenzie Weale to injury. Coach Nathan Cross will have to decide whether to stick with the new-look side or make adjustments. The Blues, under coach John Strange, have pushed their squad to new limits, with Meakes noting, 'Every year it's harder and harder to earn your jersey back, it's not a given.' The series now moves to Brisbane, where the Maroons will look to level the series and force a decider. The outcome of Game Two will determine whether the Blues can defend the shield they won last year or whether Queensland can begin a new era of dominance.

The bottom line

• Jesse Southwell's field goal in the 74th minute gave NSW an 11-6 win in Game One of the 2026 Women's State of Origin series.
• Queensland lost two key players to injury: Mackenzie Weale in the first tackle and Keilee Joseph in the second half.
• The Maroons led 6-0 at halftime after a debut try by Otesa Pule, but NSW equalised early in the second half through Ellie Johnston.
• Yasmin Meakes delivered a standout defensive performance with 34 tackles for the Blues.
• Queensland's new coach Nathan Cross implemented a six-week selection camp to improve preparation, borrowing from NSW's approach.
• Game Two will be held at Suncorp Stadium on May 14, with the Maroons needing a win to keep the series alive.