‘Defend the shield’: Blues unveil women’s Origin squad in bid to go back-to-back

The NSW Blues have unveiled their team for the Women’s State of Origin series opener, with a key star returning after a missing out last year.

Millie Elliott missed the most recent Origin series due to pregnancy, but she returns alongside debutant Teagan Berry who has been named on the bench.

Elsewhere, Jocelyn Kelleher has been named in the No.6 while the experienced Tiana Penitani Gray shifts into the back row.

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Rima Butler, meanwhile, has been named in the extended squad and is yet to make her NSW debut while Isabelle Kelly will once again captain the Blues.

“I’m really excited about the squad that we’ve named, it’s a very well-balanced team from 1-17,” Westpac NSW Blues Women’s coach John Strange said.

“The six-week training block was very enjoyable and bringing the players and staff together gave them a great opportunity to connect both on and off the field.

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“I’m looking forward to camp starting and can’t wait to get to work to defend the Shield.”

The series opener will be played on April 30 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle before the Blues travel to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for Game II.

NSW BLUES WOMEN’S SQUAD

1. Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels)

2. Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)

3. Jess Sergis (Sydney Roosters)

4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)

5. Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters)

6. Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters)

7. Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos)

8. Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)

9. Keeley Nizza (Sydney Roosters)

10. Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

11. Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

12. Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights)

13. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)

14. Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights)

15. Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels)

16. Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers)

17. Teagan Berry* (St George Illawarra Dragons)

18. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters)

19. Rima Butler* (Sydney Roosters)

20. Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Coach: John Strange

*Denotes yet to play for NSW