State of Origin: the story explained

The crew from Sportsbet preview game one of the 2026 Ampol Women's State of Origin Series. State of Origin has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in New Zealand.

Key facts

• The crew from Sportsbet preview game one of the 2026 Ampol Women's State of Origin Series.
• Ahead of the Women’s State of Origin series opener on April 30, Queensland has borrowed from the winning NSW playbook in establishing a six-week selection camp to offer a better gauge of player form in 2026.
• Queensland and NSW are evenly poised with four series wins apiece since Womens State of Origin took over from the former Interstate Challenge in 2018.
• ‘A new era’: How Queensland pinched a selection tactic from NSW to spring Origin upset.
• Newly installed Queensland women’s coach Nathan Cross has unlocked a selection process he believes will give the Maroons their best shot yet at Origin redemption.

What we know

Going deeper, Ahead of the Women’s State of Origin series opener on April 30, Queensland has borrowed from the winning NSW playbook in establishing a six-week selection camp to offer a better gauge of player form in 2026.

On the substance, Queensland and NSW are evenly poised with four series wins apiece since Womens State of Origin took over from the former Interstate Challenge in 2018.

Beyond the headlines, ‘A new era’: How Queensland pinched a selection tactic from NSW to spring Origin upset.

More precisely, Newly installed Queensland women’s coach Nathan Cross has unlocked a selection process he believes will give the Maroons their best shot yet at Origin redemption.

It is worth noting that Until now, the current structure of the NRLW season has forced selectors to pick players based on their form more than six months earlier, since Womens State of Origin precedes regular season matches.

By the numbers

At this stage, what originally began with a squad of 34 Maroons players has been cut to 23 at the time of writing, with Cross to make a final call on his 20-woman outfit following an opposed session against the Redcliffe women’s Queensland Cup side on Friday.

On a related note, NSW are aiming to secure consecutive Origin series wins in 2026, having wrapped up last year’s title in the opening two matches.

Going deeper, they will take on a QLD side that won’t include longstanding captain Ali Brigginshaw, following her Origin retirement in 2025.

On the substance, Full Match Replay: NSW Blues v QLD Maroons - Game I, 2026.

What they're saying

“It’s a new era, and as the coach I don’t want to overstate that,” Cross said.

“When the QRL reached out to me to throw my hat in the ring to take over from the coaching, they asked how the preparation would look,” Cross told foxsports.com.au.

“It was the best way of giving ourselves some form of preparation similar to NSW, even with the geographical challenges,” Cross said.

The wider context

On a related note, We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Going deeper, ‘THINKING ABOUT WALKING AWAY’: Why Origin debutant nearly quit.

On the substance, NRLW clubs have also helped manage individual workloads between club sessions and weekend Origin sessions.

Beyond the headlines, there will be a new coach, there will be a new captain, and there will be girls who really push for Origin debuts off the back of good NRLW season last year, and a really impressive pre-series this year.”

More precisely, Open the settings menu by clicking the hamburger menu in the top right 2.

The bottom line

• What originally began with a squad of 34 Maroons players has been cut to 23 at the time of writing, with Cross to make a final call on his 20-woman outfit following an opposed session against the Redcliffe women’s Queensland Cup side on Friday.
• They will take on a QLD side that won’t include longstanding captain Ali Brigginshaw, following her Origin retirement in 2025.
• There will be a new coach, there will be a new captain, and there will be girls who really push for Origin debuts off the back of good NRLW season last year, and a really impressive pre-series this year.”
• Searches spiking right now: NSW Blues v QLD Maroons - Game I, 2026, Kiwi Fern Pule shines on Origin debut for Maroons after eligibility rule change, Munster’s retirement reveal amid horror run, NRL 2026: Queensland star in line for State of Origin recall after two rule changes and ban overturned.