Women’s State of Origin Game 2 between Queensland Maroons and NSW Blues live coverage
Consensus Summary
The 2026 Women’s State of Origin Game 2 between Queensland Maroons and NSW Blues is taking place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 14, 2026, under wet conditions that complicate high-ball play. Both teams aim to secure the series, with the Blues holding a narrow 1-0 lead after winning Game 1 in Newcastle. Key changes include NSW’s Rima Butler making her Origin debut and Queensland’s Jasmine Peters replacing injured Phoenix-Rain Hippi. Early action saw Keeley Nizza score a try for the Blues, while Tamika Upton’s leadership and Queensland’s defensive pressure shaped the first half. The match features contentious refereeing calls, including knock-ons and penalties, and a passionate crowd at Lang Park. Both teams have adjusted their game plans for the challenging weather, with the Blues focusing on grinding play and Queensland targeting a home win to break their losing streak at Suncorp Stadium.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Game 2 of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series is being played at Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park) in Brisbane on 2026-05-14
- Queensland Maroons captain Tamika Upton is leading her team, which includes substitutes Destiny Brill and Olivia Higgins (swapped from starting nines)
- NSW Blues include Rima Butler in their starting lineup for her Origin debut, with Destiny Brill and Olivia Higgins also swapped from starting nines
- Queensland’s Jasmine Peters replaced injured Phoenix-Rain Hippi, while NSW’s Tiana Penitani was replaced by Rima Butler
- The Blues won Game 1 in Newcastle two weeks prior, ending a run of losses, but the match was not dominant
- Referee Belinda Sharpe is officiating the match, with multiple contentious calls (e.g., knock-ons, penalties) reported by both sources
- The match is part of Magic Round, with a festival of rugby league events happening in Brisbane over the weekend
- The Australian Girls’ Choir performed the national anthem, and a Welcome to Country ceremony was held before kickoff
- Wet conditions at Suncorp Stadium are making high-ball play challenging for both teams
- Keeley Nizza scored a try for the Blues early in the match (second try of the game) after a dummy-half sneak and evasion of Romy Teitzel
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Queensland’s Lauren Brown scored a conversion attempt that was not successful, leaving a two-point gap at one stage.
- Jaime Chapman was penalized for a high tackle, giving Queensland six tackles inside the 10.
- The Maroons have not won a State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium since the series began under the current banner.
- Ashley Ruska performed the Welcome to Country, and the Blues received a hostile welcome from the crowd.
- Maroons assistant coach Meg Ward was quoted as saying the team has a 'brand new game plan' for the wet conditions.
- The Blues warned Upton they would test her under the high ball with 'plenty of bombs' throughout the game.
- Jack Snape’s match report on Game 1 is referenced for context on the previous match’s outcome.
- Maroons’ Keeley Joseph and Tamika Upton held up Rima Butler in a dominant middle tackle.
- Jocelyn Kelleher’s bombs caused issues in Game 1, and Sienna Lofipo is eager to prevent similar problems.
- Ellie Johnston attracted half the Maroons’ defenders to the left wing, creating attacking opportunities.
- Blues’ Jess Sergis was described as 'too strong' in a tackle against Lauren Brown.
- Olivia Kernick’s pass was ruled a knock-on by referee Belinda Sharpe despite ABC’s reporter questioning the call.
- Ruan Sims (Blues assistant coach) described the game as an 'Origin-style, grinding game'.
- Chelsea Lenarduzzi dropped out of the Queensland squad, with Emma Manzelmann and Shenae Ciesiolka named as substitutes.
- The crowd’s reactions to both teams were visibly distinct, with a pro-Queensland atmosphere at Lang Park.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Queensland’s Lauren Brown 'slots it between the uprights' for a conversion, while ABC does not mention this specific play.
- ABC reports a 'shocking read' by Tamika Upton in defense, while the Guardian does not explicitly describe her defensive play as shocking.
- The Guardian mentions a 'huge cheer' for the Maroons running out, while ABC focuses more on the 'hostile welcome' for the Blues.
- ABC describes Keeley Nizza’s try as 'way too easy' for the Blues, while the Guardian frames it as a result of a 'quick play the ball and pass from Upton'.
- The Guardian notes a 'desperate Blues defensive effort' holding up Upton, while ABC emphasizes 'brilliant' tackling by Jess Sergis against her.
Source Articles
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