Reigning Dally M medalist Olivia Kernick has helped get her NSW Blues out to a 20-6 lead over the Queensland Maroons, who have lost star fullback Tamika Upton to a hamstring injury.
A Kernick error may have opened the door for Queensland’s first try but the star lock more than made up for it by setting up a try and then scoring one herself.
A heavy downfall pre-game made it a heavy and slippery surface with both teams coming up with a couple of errors in the early exchanges.
MATCH CENTRE: NSW vs Queensland Women’s Origin live score, stats, highlights
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One of those errors gifted Queensland their first try when Upton pounced on a live ball after Kernick failed to clean up a Lauren Brown grubber. Referee Belinda Sharpe initially made the call that Upton had knocked on but the bunker overruled her and it was deemed a try.
Kernick made up for it not long after when she set up Simaima Taufa for the Blues’ first try of the night. Taufa charged onto a ball from Kernick and beat two Maroons players to slide over the try-line.
Kernick then found the line herself, beating three Queensland players on her way to a try that gave the Blues the lead heading into half time.
NSW picked up from where they left off in the opening five minutes of the second half with Jayme Fressard crossing in the corner. It came after some impressive ball-work from Jesse Southwell, who threw a cutout pass to Isabelle Kelly, who then threw the final pass.
Queensland’s hopes to level the series copped a serious blow mid-way through the second half when Upton left the field limping. The superstar No.1 suffered a hamstring injury just moments earlier while attempting to stop a Jaime Chapman try.
NSW Women’s: 1. Abbi Church 2. Jaime Chapman 3. Jess Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Jayme Fressard 6. Tiana Penitani Gray 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Simaima Taufa 9. Keely Davis 10. Ellie Johnston 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Jocelyn Kelleher 15. Kennedy Cherrington 16. Sarah Togatuki 17. Emma Verran. 18th player: Shaylee Bent
Queensland Women’s: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Shenae Ciesiolka 4. Rory Owen 5. Jasmine Peter 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Makenzie Weale 9. Lauren Brown 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Sienna Lofipo 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Keilee Joseph 14. Jada Ferguson 15. Sophie Holyman 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 17. Tavarna Papalii. 18th player: Hayley Maddick
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