Queensland has reclaimed the Women’s State of Origin shield after surviving a manic finish in the series finale in Townsville.
The Maroons’ eight-point win in Origin I meant the Blues needed to win by nine points to retain the title.
NSW showed plenty of spirit, coming back from a first-half deficit to claim game two 18-14, but the margin was not enough to overcome the deficit from game one.
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Queensland looked headed towards a series sweep before a chaotic play in the 68th minute resulted in Yasmin Clydsdale being awarded the game-winning penalty try by the Bunker.
The Blues were initially denied the try after the referee thought Clydsdale had fumbled the ball while attempting to ground it, but the Bunker showed Queensland centre Shenae Ciesolka kicked the ball out of the Blues No.12’s hands.
A penalty try was awarded and Jesse Southwell nailed the conversion, setting up a grandstand finish which saw Queensland forced to defend for their lives.
Watch the 2023 State of Origin series LIVE and exclusive on Channel 9 and 9Now
“We didn’t know what was going on,” Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw admitted after the game.
“I just said, ‘We’ve got to show Queenslander spirit, get our shoulder to shoulder, work for each other and just put our bodies on the line’.
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“It feels amazing (to win the series). We’ve had a great campaign. We’ve got an awesome bunch of girls and to be the series winner, I could not be prouder of every single girl who pulled on that Maroon jersey.”
Unbelievably the penalty try wasn’t even the final bit of drama in the game.
Clydsdale was involved in the thick of it once again after she was caught in a hip-drop tackle by her opposite number, giving the Blues a penalty and one last chance to steal the shield.
However, the Hail Mary attempt fell short as the Maroons breathed a huge sigh of relief to claim the title.
Tiana Penitani starred on her return to the NSW side, scoring two of the team’s three tries, while Tamika Upton, Emily Bass and Tarryn Aiken crossed over for the Maroons.
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State of Origin II 2023 in pictures: All the colour of the Blues v Maroons game two
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