Blues nice explains ‘worry’ about main halves gamble

All eyes shall be on halfback Jesse Southwell within the girls’s State of Origin opener because the “biggest concern” going through NSW turns into transparent.

The younger gun used to be overpassed for final 12 months’s sequence, however has earned a recall below new trainer John Strange as he shakes issues up after the Blues suffered a 2-1 loss within the ancient three-game sequence in opposition to Queensland.

Southwell will spouse vice captain Tiana Penitani-Gray within the halves, with the Sharks famous person leaving her standard place within the outdoor backs to put on the No.6 jumper.

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Penitani-Gray’s positional transfer has allowed each Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis to start out within the centres, giving Strange a bunch of attacking guns within the backline.

However, whilst talking on Nine’s NRLW Wrap forward of the primary recreation at Suncorp Stadium, former playmaker Allana Ferguson admitted the aspect wanted “more answers” with regards to the general-play kicking outdoor of younger gun Southwell.

“Looking at face value when the two teams were announced, that was probably the part that stood out to me,” she stated.

“I’ve always thought that Jesse Southwell has those Origin footy qualities and I’m stoked that she gets the shot, she well and truly deserves it.

“It’s simply the loss of kicking choices in that beginning aspect. It seems like all that accountability of having out of hassle specifically is all on Jesse’s shoulders.

“Queensland are gonna look at Jesse Southwell and target her. I’m unsure how they will navigate their way around that. I hope that we’ve got a back-up plan.

“That’s most certainly my greatest worry in relation to NSW – I’m hoping we have were given extra solutions.”

Watch the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Southwell has experience at Origin level, but will now be tasked with steering the ship for the Blues alongside an out-of-position halves partner.

On the flip side, Queensland boast a spine that has plenty of kicking options, including gun fullback Tamika Upton and dummy-half Lauren Brown.

Ferguson admits the key playmakers from the Maroons have her worried.

“It’s the category in their backbone, undoubtedly – I feel that is their greatest asset,” she said.

“We can not have gamers like Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken getting that speedy ball. Lauren Brown is a weapon, Ali Brigginshaw has been steerage the send for a long time now.

“They are a force to be reckoned with and the leadership in that spine is what scares me the most from a Blues perspective.”