2025 Women’s State of Origin: Complete Series Recap
The 2025 Women’s State of Origin series delivered a decisive shift in rugby league’s premier state competition, with New South Wales reclaiming the shield after Queensland’s 2024 triumph. The best-of-three series, held entirely in May 2025, showcased the evolving standard of women’s league football across three closely contested matches spanning Brisbane, Sydney, and Newcastle.
New South Wales claimed the series 2-1, securing their fourth official series victory in what marked the eighth edition of the competition and the second under the three-game format introduced the previous year. The result ended Queensland’s reign as holders while demonstrating the growing depth and competitiveness of women’s State of Origin football.
The 2025 iteration built on significant structural changes from 2024, which expanded the series from two to three matches and established a rotation system for host venues. All three games kicked off at 7:45 pm AEST, with attendance figures exceeding 16,000 in both Sydney and Brisbane venues.
What was the Women’s State of Origin 2025 schedule?
The 2025 series maintained its established May scheduling, positioning the matches as a standalone event preceding the NRLW season by approximately one month. Each fixture received dedicated match scheduling rather than being incorporated into regular NRL rounds, reflecting the special status of the interstate series.
Best-of-three between NSW Blues and QLD Maroons
New South Wales Blues (2-1)
42,048 across three matches
Nine Network / 9Now coverage
- New South Wales secured their fourth official series victory, breaking Queensland’s consecutive hold on the shield since 2022
- Game 1 attracted the highest attendance of the series at 26,022, reflecting Queensland’s strong home support at Suncorp Stadium
- Olivia Kernick earned Player of the Match honours in Game 2 at Allianz Stadium, establishing herself as a key figure in the Blues’ campaign
- The three-game format, second edition in 2025, appears to be establishing itself as the standard series structure going forward
- Referee Belinda Sharpe officiated the opening two matches, maintaining consistency in the early stages of the series
- Game 3 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle represented a regional venue expansion for the women’s series
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Edition | Eighth official Women’s State of Origin series |
| Series Result | New South Wales Blues 2–1 Queensland Maroons |
| Games Played | Three (best-of-three format) |
| Game 1 Score | Queensland 12–32 New South Wales |
| Game 2 Score | New South Wales 26–6 Queensland |
| Game 3 Result | Won by New South Wales (decider) |
| Series Duration | May 1–29, 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 7:45 pm AEST (all matches) |
Who were in the Women’s State of Origin 2025 teams?
Queensland Maroons squad composition
The Queensland Maroons entered the 2025 series as defending champions, having secured the 2024 shield through a 2-1 series victory. The squad featured a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, with several players returning from prior series appearances and some notable changes from the 2024 lineup.
Lauren Brown commanded the fullback position throughout the series, also contributing valuable goal-kicking with a 2/2 conversion rate in Game 1. The halves and forwards featured established Queensland representatives including Jessika Elliston, Sienna Lofipo, Romy Teitzel, and Destiny Brill, who collectively formed the spine of the Maroons’ forward pack.
The interchange and bench positions included Jada Ferguson, Sophie Holyman, Makenzie Weale, and Tavarna Papalii, with Georgia Hannaway named as 18th player. The squad experienced some movement during preparation, with Chelsea Lenarduzzi dropped and Hayley Maddick ruled out through injury prior to the series commencing. Full squad details are available through League Unlimited’s team list reporting.
New South Wales Blues key performers
The New South Wales Blues squad featured several players who had previously demonstrated their Origin-class abilities. While full team listings were released progressively by NSW Rugby League, key contributors emerged clearly through match performance throughout the three-game series.
Isabelle Kelly distinguished herself immediately, earning Player of the Match honours in the series opener with tries at the 14-minute mark. Jessica Sergis opened the scoring in Game 1 with a try inside the opening minutes, demonstrating the Blues’ attacking intent from the outset. Jesse Southwell assumed goalkicking responsibilities, converting four from seven attempts in the opening match.
Olivia Kernick’s Player of the Match performance in Game 2 at Allianz Stadium signalled her emergence as a central figure in the Blues’ forward structure. Jayme Fressard, Ellie Johnston, and Abbi Church contributed tries across the series, providing the balanced scoring threat that ultimately proved decisive.
Match officials
Belinda Sharpe continued her role as lead referee, overseeing Games 1 and 2 before other officials took control of the decider. Daniel Luttringer and Kieren Irons served as sideline referees throughout the series, while Adam Gee functioned as video referee for match reviews and contentious decisions.
Complete New South Wales Blues squad listings were published progressively by NSW Rugby League. The Queensland Maroons lineup featured above represents the confirmed roster as reported by League Unlimited, with adjustments noted prior to series commencement.
What were the Women’s State of Origin 2025 scores?
Game 1: Brisbane (May 1)
The series commenced at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, May 1, with Queensland hosting under their traditional home venue arrangements. New South Wales dominated the opening encounter, recording a 32–12 victory that immediately shifted momentum toward the Blues.
The scoring began inside the first ten minutes, with Jessica Sergis crossing for New South Wales in the fourth minute. Isabelle Kelly extended the lead at the 14-minute mark before Jayme Fressard scored twice, at 19 and 40 minutes, the latter arriving just before halftime. Ellie Johnston added a try at 50 minutes and Abbi Church at 64 minutes to complete the Blues’ scoring.
Queensland responded through Sienna Lofipo at seven minutes and Rory Owen at 24 minutes, with Lauren Brown converting both attempts. The 26,022 attendance at Suncorp Stadium represented strong public interest in the series opener, though Queensland’s deficit after Game 1 left them requiring wins in both remaining fixtures.
Game 2: Sydney (May 15)
Allianz Stadium in Sydney hosted Game 2 on May 15, with New South Wales again emerging victorious by a 26–6 margin. The result gave the Blues a seemingly insurmountable 2-0 lead in the series, though Queensland remained mathematically alive with one match remaining.
The 16,026 attendance reflected continued public engagement despite the series appearing decided after Game 2. Olivia Kernick’s Player of the Match performance provided a focal point for New South Wales’ dominance, though specific try scorers for this fixture were not detailed in the available match reports.
Game 3: Newcastle (May 29)
The decisive third match took place at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on May 29, marking the first time the venue had hosted a Women’s State of Origin fixture. New South Wales claimed the match and the series 2-1, though the specific scoreline for this encounter was not detailed in the available sources.
The McDonald Jones Stadium event represented an intentional geographic expansion of the women’s series, testing regional market appetite for Origin football. The venue’s selection indicated the NRL’s interest in developing women’s rugby league audiences beyond traditional metropolitan centres.
Detailed Game 3 statistics, including full scorelines and player appearances, are available through the official NRL match centre. Full try-scoring details for Games 2 and 3 were not fully reported across available sources.
Who won the Women’s State of Origin 2025?
New South Wales secured the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series with a 2-1 victory across the three-match format, claiming their fourth official series title. The Blues’ triumph ended Queensland’s two-year reign as holders, with the Maroons having won the 2023, 2024, and 2022 series under the previous shield arrangements.
The victory represented a significant achievement for New South Wales women’s rugby league, validating the investment in player development and team preparation that had produced strong performances without series success in recent years. The 2-1 margin concealed the Blues’ general dominance across the series, with their two victories arriving by margins of 20 and 20 points respectively.
Queensland’s sole win arrived in the series decider, though without the specific score available for confirmation. The Maroons’ ability to win at least one match maintained their competitive standing while highlighting the narrow margins that separate victory from defeat in elite women’s league football.
Series significance
The 2025 result placed New South Wales four victories ahead in the all-time series record, accounting for all official editions since the competition’s inception. Queensland entered the series as defending champions and concluded it having surrendered the shield after three consecutive series wins.
The three-game format proved its worth through the series narrative, with both teams winning games ensuring genuine competition through the full series duration. Had the previous two-game format remained in place, New South Wales would have clinched after Game 2, denying Queensland the opportunity to compete in a decider.
How did the 2025 series unfold?
The 2025 Women’s State of Origin series followed a structured timeline spanning May, with fixtures spaced at approximately two-week intervals to allow for player recovery and team preparation. The scheduling reflected Rugby League’s broader calendar integration for women’s competitions.
- December 2024: Series schedule officially released, confirming May dates and venues including McDonald Jones Stadium
- April 2025: Team selections announced progressively, with Queensland Maroons lineup confirmed ahead of Game 1
- May 1, 2025: Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane — New South Wales 32–12 Queensland
- May 15, 2025: Game 2 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney — New South Wales 26–6 Queensland
- May 29, 2025: Game 3 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle — New South Wales wins decider
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the 2025 series?
| Established Information | Unverified or Unavailable Details |
|---|---|
| Series result: NSW 2–1 (Blues winners) | Game 3 specific score and scorers |
| Game 1 final score: 32–12 NSW over Queensland | Complete NSW Blues team list for all three games |
| Game 2 final score: 26–6 NSW over Queensland | Game 2 and 3 try scorer details |
| Game 1 try scorers for both teams | Attendance figure for Game 3 |
| All three matches kicked off at 7:45 pm AEST | Official broadcast ratings or viewership data |
| Belinda Sharpe refereed Games 1 and 2 | Ticket sales figures for individual matches |
| McDonald Jones Stadium hosted Game 3 | 2026 series scheduling confirmation |
| Queensland won 2024 series 2–1 | Player injury updates following the series |
What does this result mean in the broader context?
The 2025 Women’s State of Origin series represented another step in the continued maturation of women’s rugby league at the state level. The competition has evolved significantly since its formal establishment, moving from two-game formats to three-game series and expanding venue diversity through inclusions like McDonald Jones Stadium.
Eight official series have now been completed since the competition’s inception, with New South Wales claiming four victories compared to Queensland’s three. The current era reflects genuine parity between the states, with neither team able to establish sustained dominance over multiple years.
The timing of the series, positioned one month before the NRLW season commencement, allows representative players to transition directly into club competition following Origin commitments. This scheduling approach supports both the representative competition’s prestige and the competitive readiness of NRLW participants.
Attendance figures exceeding 26,000 for the Brisbane opener and 16,000 in Sydney demonstrate audience appetite for women’s State of Origin football. The regional venue selection for Game 3 further signals long-term growth ambitions for the competition beyond its traditional metropolitan markets.
What sources back this recap?
The following sources provided verified information for this series recap. Primary documentation comes from Wikipedia’s dedicated 2025 Women’s State of Origin article, which maintains detailed match records citing official NRL sources and on-ground reporting.
The 2025 Women’s State of Origin series was a best-of-three rugby league competition between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons, with the Blues winning 2-1 to claim the series. This marked the eighth official series, the second in a three-game format, and the fourth victory for New South Wales.
— Wikipedia, 2025 Women’s State of Origin
Queensland won the 2024 series 2-1, retaining the shield before this loss.
— Sporting News Australia, Women’s State of Origin 2025 coverage
Supporting documentation was drawn from Sporting News fixture schedules, League Unlimited team list reporting, and official NRL match centre records. The McDonald Jones Stadium event page confirmed venue selection rationale for the Game 3 fixture.
Key takeaways from the 2025 Women’s State of Origin
New South Wales emerged from the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series as worthy champions, claiming the shield through decisive victories in Games 1 and 2 before securing the decider in Newcastle. The Blues’ 2-1 series win marked their fourth official victory, ending Queensland’s two-year reign as holders while demonstrating the growing standard of women’s representative football.
The three-game format, now in its second edition, has proven its value in delivering genuinely competitive series that extend beyond a single deciding fixture. With attendance figures maintaining strong levels across three distinct venues, the competition appears well-positioned for continued growth. Fans seeking to understand how rugby league state competitions are structured may find the World Cup Winners – Complete List 1930-2022 resource useful for broader context on international football structures.
When were the 2025 Women’s State of Origin matches played?
The series ran throughout May 2025, with Game 1 on May 1, Game 2 on May 15, and Game 3 on May 29. All matches kicked off at 7:45 pm AEST.
Where were the 2025 Women’s State of Origin matches held?
Game 1 took place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Game 2 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, and Game 3 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
Who won the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series?
New South Wales Blues won the series 2-1 over Queensland Maroons, claiming their fourth official series victory and ending Queensland’s championship reign.
What were the Game 1 scores?
Game 1 ended New South Wales 32 defeated Queensland 12, with tries from Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Jayme Fressard (2), Ellie Johnston, and Abbi Church for the Blues.
How much were tickets for Women’s State of Origin 2025?
Tickets for Game 1 started at $19 through Ticketek. Pricing for Games 2 and 3 varied by venue and seating category.
How can I watch replays of the 2025 series?
The series was broadcast by the Nine Network, with replays available through 9Now. Match highlights and extended coverage are accessible through official NRL channels.
Who was referee for Women’s State of Origin 2025?
Belinda Sharpe officiated Games 1 and 2, maintaining consistency in the opening stages of the series. Adam Gee served as video referee for contentious decisions.
How many tries were scored in Game 1?
Game 1 featured eight tries total: Queensland scored two (Sienna Lofipo, Rory Owen) while New South Wales crossed for six through six different players.
Which player was named Player of the Match in Game 1?
Isabelle Kelly received Player of the Match honours for her performance at centre, including a try at the 14-minute mark.
Will there be a 2026 Women’s State of Origin series?
While official 2026 scheduling had not been confirmed at the time of this report, one source referenced future events at McDonald Jones Stadium. Further announcements are expected through official NRL channels.
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Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Coast Monitor.