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

Maroons 10, Blues 14

A try-saving tackle from Teagan Berry in the final minute has sealed a 2026 Women’s State of Origin series victory for NSW who have claimed their first back-to-back Origin titles since 2019.

The 14-10 victory for NSW at Suncorp Stadium means the Blues now have the chance to claim the first series whitewash since the three-match format was introduced to the women’s game in 2024, when they head to the Gold Coast for game three 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 inspection, Berry had done enough, as the NSW speedster dragged Peters’ foot into touch before she managed to put the ball down.

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

“I actually had full confidence in Flash [Berry]. I think she’s one of those players that will go right to the last minute, or she always pulls out these freaky things that she can do,” Kelly said.

“I think she’s known a lot for her attack, but defensively, I love having her next to me. I think she’s someone that will really aim up when she needs to.”

These one-on-one moments are what sealed victory for NSW in the end, with a try-saving tackle by Jesse Southwell keeping Queensland out of the match earlier in the second half, with Peters once again the victim of a desperate and determined NSW defence in that instance.

“Jesse just picked her up and threw her over the sideline, and then right at the death there, they passed the ball out and, and Teagan Berry threw her body on the line and did everything possible to stop them getting the try that was going to level the game,” Blues coach John Strange said.

“[Maroons halfback] Lauren Brown’s such a great competitor, and she would have loved that moment as a goalkicker to win the game for a state. But fortunate enough, Teagan did everything she could.”

It was a phenomenal effort from Southwell, who looked to be in serious trouble just moments earlier after getting her head stuck in the turf following a tackle from Queensland’s Romy Teitzel and Rory Owen.

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

Tensions were running high after that as Queensland tried to get back in the match, with Maroons playmaker Brown and Blues front-rower Kezie Apps exchanging words and shoves as the Blues tried to secure the win.

But as the desperation ran high for Queensland, NSW continued to suffocate their attack. And, in the end, it was the Blues who walked away with victory after reclaiming the lead with a Jess Sergis try in the 46th minute.

Sergis had been powerful all night, and it was her effort from a scrum feed that put NSW on the board first as she teamed up with winger Jaime Chapman to open the tally for the Blues from a scrum feed.

With NSW stacked on the left, Southwell opted to throw the ball right, backing Sergis to draw in the Queensland defenders before Chapman finished it off in the corner.

That was before Keeley Nizza burrowed across from dummy-half to score and send NSW to the sheds at half-time with an 8-6 lead after Rory Owen kept the Maroons in the match.

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

But Sergis had other ideas, as the Blues centre dragged Owen across to score what would be the eventual match winner and final try to hand victory to NSW.

For most of the match, Queensland beat themselves, with a poor completion rate – especially in the first half – coming back to bite them in the end.

“Errors killed us tonight. I think we were five or six errors and 57 per cent completion [in the first half], and you just can’t win footy games like that,” coach Nathan Cross said.

“I think everyone could see the footy team that we are when we hold the ball and complete, and start giving Meekes [Tamika Upton] a bit of space, and Chantay Kiria-Ratu some time to shine.

“I could see the style of footy that we trained so well for. I could start to see it coming out and showing in glimpses, but then that leads to another error, and then we’re sort of back in the washing machine again.”

The Maroons will have the chance to salvage a match in this series in a fortnight, which captain Upton said was crucial for such a young team.

“I think it would be really crucial for this group,” Upton said.

“It’s been two tight matches, which we haven’t been able to seal, and to be honest, that’s my job as a leader. None of them should have their head down in that room over there because they were outstanding on this stage.”