- Jamie Chapman scored incredible try against Queensland
- NSW Blues sealed a comfortable victory on Thursday
- The women play a historic three-game series
Jamie Chapman scored a try for the ages with a dazzling 85-metre dash that set NSW on course for a comfortable Origin I victory over Queensland.
NSW are in the box to take the inaugural women’s three-game State of Origin series after a convincing 22-12 victory in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Behind enemy lines, the Sky Blues shrugged off concerns raised by a new halves combination and a lack of competitive fixtures in the run-up to Thursday night.
They went on a powerful 14-0 first half run to victory and now have the chance to close out the historic series with a game in hand when they host the Maroons in Newcastle on June 6.
Kylie Hilder’s surprise call-up to replace teenage sensation Jesse Southwell with veteran runner Rachael Pearson proved a masterstroke.
Jamie Chapman scored impressive try as NSW Blues beat Queensland Maroons
Chapman ran 85 meters uncontested to score in a dominant victory Thursday.
The 30-year-old pulled off a bench throw that marked the start of NSW’s first-half dominance before a record Origin crowd of 25,492.
Pearson continued to kick skillfully, showing few signs of the calf injury that had hampered her this month, and made a one-on-one try-saving tackle on Tarryn Aiken in the second half as Queensland returned to the game.
Outstanding with 108 meters and two line breaks, Sky Blues prop Caitlan Johnston latched onto a short ball from Olivia Higgins and crashed in to end Queensland’s comeback with six minutes remaining.
The experienced Maroons had no answer as the visitors turned the ball around at breakneck speed from the start.
Typically a center at club level for the Gold Coast, Jaime Chapman was outstanding on the right flank, first breaking the line which put the Sky Blues in position for Emma Tonegato to open the scoring.
Their key to taking the lead at half-time, Olivia Kernick found Johnston with a short ball and the prop’s offload helped the Tonegato fullback across the line.
Bleus and Maroons play a historic three-game series this year
Chapman had her own try when she tagged in Emily Bass and then burned reigning Dally M medalist Tamika Upton to run 80 meters and score on a kick return.
Chapman could have had two more tries in the first half if he could have dealt with Pearson’s cross kicks.
The Maroons enjoyed plenty of football after the break and threatened to chase down the visitors, with Upton stepping up for the Maroons’ first try after being well contained up to that point.
Shortly after Emma Manzelmann lost the ball before what could have been her second goal, Johnston hit back for NSW.
As the NRL looks to clamp down on players who make illegal contact with the kicker’s legs, NSW five-eighth Corban Baxter was reported for a throw on Queensland’s Zehara Temara in the first half.
