All eyes will be on halfback Jesse Southwell in the women’s State of Origin opener as the “biggest concern” facing NSW becomes clear.
The young gun was overlooked for last year’s series, but has earned a recall under new coach John Strange as he shakes things up after the Blues suffered a 2-1 loss in the historic three-game series against Queensland.
Southwell will partner vice captain Tiana Penitani-Gray in the halves, with the Sharks superstar leaving her usual position in the outside backs to wear the No.6 jumper.
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Penitani-Gray’s positional switch has allowed both Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis to start in the centres, giving Strange a host of attacking weapons in the backline.
However, while speaking on Nine’s NRLW Wrap ahead of the first game at Suncorp Stadium, former playmaker Allana Ferguson admitted the side needed “more answers” when it comes to the general-play kicking outside of young gun Southwell.
Jesse Southwell and Tiana Penitani-Gray will pair up in the halves. Getty
“Looking at face value when the two teams were announced, that was probably the part that stood out to me,” she said.
“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 just the lack of kicking options in that starting side. It looks like all that responsibility of getting out of trouble in particular 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 probably my biggest concern in terms of NSW – I hope we’ve got more answers.”
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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.
Tamika Upton during last year’s series. Getty
Ferguson admits the key playmakers from the Maroons have her worried.
“It’s the class of their spine, without a doubt – I think that’s their biggest asset,” she said.
“We can’t have players like Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken getting that fast ball. Lauren Brown is a weapon, Ali Brigginshaw has been steering the ship for a very 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.”
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