Lock switch continues for Brigginshaw as Origin teams named
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Ali Brigginshaw's recent switch to lock looks set to continue in Harvey Norman Women's State of Origin after the Dally M Medal winner was named in Queensland's No.13 jersey on Tuesday.
Brigginshaw will lead the Maroons for a third time under the Origin banner on Friday night as she desperately looks to end a recent run of Blues dominance.
The lock experiment paid dividends for Brigginshaw and the Broncos in their recent NRLW campaign and the Maroons coaching staff, led by coach Jason Hetherington, wasted no time in continuing that.
Queensland have struggled to score points in recent Origin fixtures with just 14 in their last two games. They scored just one try in last year's 60-minute clash at North Sydney Oval.
Match: Maroons v Sky Blues
Round 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Sky Blues
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Maroons is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Sky Blues is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
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Winger for Maroons is number 2 Shenae CiesiolkaWinger for Sky Blues is number 2 Jessica Sergis
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Centre for Maroons is number 3 Julia RobinsonCentre for Sky Blues is number 3 Tiana Penitani
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Centre for Maroons is number 4 Lauren BrownCentre for Sky Blues is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
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Winger for Maroons is number 5 Karina BrownWinger for Sky Blues is number 5 Shanice Parker
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Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Tarryn AikenFive-Eighth for Sky Blues is number 6 Corban Baxter
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Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Zahara TemaraHalfback for Sky Blues is number 7 Melanie Howard
Forwards
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Prop for Maroons is number 8 Chelsea LenarduzziProp for Sky Blues is number 8 Simaima Taufa
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Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Brittany Breayley-NatiHooker for Sky Blues is number 20 Kylie Hilder
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Prop for Maroons is number 14 Rona PetersProp for Sky Blues is number 10 Millie Boyle
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Tallisha Harden2nd Row for Sky Blues is number 11 Kezie Apps
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Tazmin Gray2nd Row for Sky Blues is number 12 Shaylee Bent
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Lock for Maroons is number 13 Ali BrigginshawLock for Sky Blues is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
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Interchange for Maroons is number 10 Stephanie HancockInterchange for Sky Blues is number 14 Quincy Dodd
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Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Annette BranderInterchange for Sky Blues is number 15 Filomina Hanisi
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Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Shannon MatoInterchange for Sky Blues is number 16 Sarah Togatuki
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Interchange for Maroons is number 17 Shaniah PowerInterchange for Sky Blues is number 17 Yasmin Clydsdale
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Last updated:
The change will allow Brigginshaw's Broncos teammate Tarryn Aiken and returning Maroons halfback Zahara Temara to combine in the halves, while the skipper can act as an additional playmaker and link with Tamika Upton in the middle.
Upton's selection is crucial to the Maroons' chances of victory on the Sunshine Coast with the rising star set to join Broncos trio Julia Robinson, Lauren Brown, Shenae Csieolka in a new-look backline.
Former Maroons captain Karina Brown is the only member of the backline who was part of last year's Origin defeat.
Hetherington's forward pack is far more settled with the additions of Brittany Breayley and Rona Peters, both of whom missed the NRLW season due to family commitments, added bonuses.
Breayley could go the full distance in the increased 70-minute game, however, Peters has also proven to be a capable back-up dummy half if required.
Qld Maroons v NSW Women
NSW, who have spent the past fortnight in Queensland as per quarantine requirements, confirmed a host of changes to last year's successful side.
Coach Andrew Patmore named Roosters pair Corban McGregor and Melanie Howard to start in the halves with Botille Vette-Welsh promoted to fullback after coming off the bench in 2019.
Patmore has shifted Dragons star Jessica Sergis to the wing in a similar move to last year's backline with Tiana Penitani named in the centres alongside Isabelle Kelly.
Kelly has been included in the starting 13 along with inspirational captain Kezie Apps, who has overcome a knee injury.
Among the potential debutantes named in the starting side for the defending champions are Howard, Keeley Davis, Shanice Parker and Shaylee Bent.
Boyle back in blue and ready to hoist another trophy
Patmore will also blood his entire bench, all of whom are yet to play at Origin level.
There was no room in the initial 17 for boom rookie Kennedy Cherrington, although the Roosters forward could still be a late inclusion.
