NSW Blues coach John Strange confident new playing surface won’t affect women’s series opener
The Blues haven’t lifted the Origin shield since the NRL introduced a multi-match series since the two-game format in 2023, which should make NSW the underdogs, but bookmakers have the Blues as narrow favourites ahead of the Maroons.
There’s been no talk of the back-to-back series losses in the Blues camp this week.
“It’s about moving forward,” Strange said. “Yes, there are quite a few girls that were involved last year, in that six-week block, but there are quite a few new girls, so I didn’t see the point – for me not being there and a lot of these players not being there – to sort of dredge that up.
“And also, there’s nothing we can do about that. It’s about moving forward.”
On paper, though, Strange’s side has had the biggest shake-up heading into game one.
Queensland coach Tahnee Norris has kept the same spine that won the 2024 series – Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aiken, Ali Brigginshaw and Lauren Brown – while Strange has named a new player in all four key roles.
Eels fullback Abbi Church will make her Origin debut in the No.1 jersey for NSW, while Strange has shifted Jillaroos centre Tiana Penitani Gray to five-eighth to partner Jesse Southwell in the halves. Keeley Davis will start at hooker.
Ellie Johnston, Jocelyn Kelleher and Jayme Fressard will also make their debuts for the Blues.
NSW halves pairing Tiana Penitani Gray (left) and Jesse Southwell.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
With such a new-look team, plenty rides on the players having formed strong combinations in the six-week pre-Origin training block.
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“They’ve earned their spots through their form, in particular last year, throughout all the competitions they’ve played in from Pacific Championships, but NRLW in particular,” Strange said of his debutantes.
“They were very consistent in that competition, they got into the extended squad of 30, and then pushed their way into the 17. So, the confidence is they deserve to be there, and all the other players know that as well.”
A lot rests on the new-look halves pairing.
Southwell, while a talented playmaker with two NRLW premierships to her name, is still just 20 years old, and Penitani Gray plays in the centres for Cronulla and the Jillaroos. That didn’t stop Strange from backing the Origin veteran to perform in her new role as five-eighth.
“She’s [Penitani Gray] got great skills,” Strange said. “She can pass both ways really well, she’s a great runner and she understands the game.
“For me, it’s about getting Tiana more footy, and getting her involved, and while she’s got the six on her back, I still want her to think about running game as well, which is obviously very strong.”
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