Blues hold out Maroons in epic finish to secure Origin series victory

Claret Red 10, Blues 14

Teagan Berry’s last-minute save tackle sealed the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series victory for NSW, which won its first back-to-back Origin title since 2019.

NSW’s 14-10 win at Suncorp Stadium means the Blues have a chance of whitewashing the first series since the introduction of a three-game format for the women’s game in 2024 when they travel to the Gold Coast for the third match on May 28.

Suncorp Stadium was roaring as referee Belinda Sharpe awarded Maroons winger Jasmine Peters a try in the corner of the field to level the scores in the final minute. But on second review, Berry had done enough as the NSW pacer put his foot into contact before Peters dropped the ball.

Blues captain Isabelle Kelly said she never doubted Berry could save the match when everything was on the line.

“I actually had full confidence in Flash [Berry]. I think he’s one of those players that’s going to go down to the last minute or he’s always coming up with the weird stuff he can do,” Kelly said.

“I think he’s known for his offense, but defensively I like having him around. I think he’s someone who can really aim when he needs to.”

These one-on-one moments were what eventually sealed victory for NSW, with Jesse Southwell keeping Queensland out of the match early in the second half and Peters once again falling victim to a desperate and determined NSW defence.

“Jesse picked him up and threw him over the byline and right at the death they kicked the ball out and Teagan Berry threw her body on the line and did everything possible to stop them from scoring the try that would have tied the game,” Blues coach John Strange said.

“[Maroons halfback] Lauren Brown is a great competitor and as a goaltender she would have loved to win the game for state. “But he was lucky enough that Teagan did everything she could.”

It was a superb effort from Southwell, who appeared to be in serious trouble moments before after getting his head stuck in the turf following tackles from Queensland’s Romy Teitzel and Rory Owen.

The NSW No.7 was awarded player of the match on Thursday night.

Tensions were high after this as Maroons playmaker Brown and Blues front-rower Kezie Apps exchanged words and shoved each other as Queensland tried to get back into the match, while the Blues tried to secure victory.

But as desperation reached fever pitch for Queensland, NSW continued to press their attack. And in the end, the Blues took the lead with Jess Sergis’ try in the 46th minute and emerged victorious.

Sergis was strong all night long and it was his effort from the attacking feed that put NSW top of the charts as he teamed up with winger Jaime Chapman to open up the Blues’ tally from the attacking feed.

With NSW down the left, Southwell opted to pass the ball to the right, supporting Sergis to draw the draw for Queensland defenders before Chapman finished the ball in the corner.

That was before Rory Owen had kept the Maroons in the match before Keeley Nizza crossed from dummy half and scored, sending NSW to the barracks with an 8-6 lead at half-time.

The Maroons scored first in the second half, with Jada Ferguson slotting a cross between Abbi Church and Southwell to give Queensland the lead for the first time.

But Sergis had other ideas as he dragged Blues center Owen into the final try to score what would prove to be the game-winner and hand victory to NSW.

Queensland got the better of them for most of the match and had a poor completion rate, especially in the first half, which eventually came back to bite them.

“Mistakes killed us tonight. I think we made 5-6 mistakes and completed 57 percent.” [in the first half]”You don’t win those kinds of football games,” coach Nathan Cross said.

“I think everyone can see what a good football team we are when we keep the ball and finish and start scoring goals on Meekes. [Tamika Upton] some space and some time for Chantay Kiria-Ratu to shine.

“I could see the style of football that we were training very well in. I could see it coming up and appearing in short bursts, but then that leads to another mistake and then we’re kind of back in the washing machine again.”

The Maroons will have a chance to salvage a game in this series in two weeks, which captain Upton said is crucial for such a young team.

“I think this is going to be really important for this group,” Upton said.

“It’s been two tough games and we couldn’t finish them, and honestly, that’s my job as a leader. None of them should hang their heads down in that room because they were outstanding on that stage.”