The New South Wales Blues have taken the first scalp in the 2024 Women's Origin Series with an impressive 22-12 victory over the Queensland Maroons in front of over 25,000 fans in Brisbane.
NSW Coach Kylie Hilder could not have asked for a better start with the Blues' lack of football not being an issue as they looked to spread the ball early and took advantage of the speed and size as Emma Tonegato broke through off the back of a big run from Caitlan Johnston to score the Blues opener.
It was all speed and class from Jaime Chapman who had a big start to the game for the visitors as NSW spread the ball quickly right and Chapman got on the outside of the Maroons defence and sped past the QLD defence and beat Tamika Upton to score NSW's second and a 12-0 lead ensued.
Rachael Pearson soon added a penalty goal to extend the Blues lead to a somewhat unexpected 14-0 lead which they took into the break.
The Blues picked up from where they left off in the first half to start the second but points were lacking other than for a second Rachael Pearson penalty goal that gave the Blues a 16-0 lead.
QLD then seemed to pick up momentum towards the back end of the contest despite the Blues looking almost certain to score when Tiana Penitani had the corner open to her if not for a desperate effort from Julia Robinson to put her out.
The Maroons finally hit the scoreboard as momentum was in full swing for the home side as Tamika Upton got herself to the line to score. Zahara Temara's conversion put the home side within 10 at 16-6.
Having all the momentum, Queensland were knocking on the door for another try to comeback but New South Wales were able to hold them out and had a match sealer of their own inside the final five minutes when Caitlan Johnston charged over for a 22-6 lead.
The Maroons hit back in the dying minutes when a kick nutmegged Jaime Chapman and Emily Bass got to the ball first before Zahara Temara's conversion came off the crossbar and went over.
The victory for the Blues gives them a big upper hand before Game 2 in three weeks' time in Newcastle where the Blues will be on home soil.