Maroons denied twice in dying stages as Jesse Southwell, Teagan Berry heroics clinch series for NSW

Queensland's desperate, last-gasp attempt to force a women's State of Origin decider fell agonisingly short as Teagan Berry and Jesse Southwell produced dramatic try-saving tackles in the second half to help the NSW Blues clinch the series.

In a game defined by goal-line defence, things reached fever pitch in the final minute when Jasmine Peters dove over in the corner and was awarded a try.

However, replays revealed Berry had forced Peters' foot into touch just before the ball was grounded and the Bunker overruled the on-field decision.

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"That is pure devastation on the faces on Queensland right now," Allana Ferguson said on Nine as lead caller Peter Psaltis labelled it a "game of millimetres".

"I must admit, watching it live, I thought she (Peters) might have touched the sideline," Maroons coach Nathan Cross admitted in the press conference after the game.

"I felt like there was a moment like that coming, such a great group and I knew we'd have a late rally in us but as I said, millimetres."

"To be honest, when it was going up, I thought it might have been out (Peters' try). Just like Crossy (Nathan Cross), didn't get my hopes up. I was looking at the clock, thinking 'we still have time, we still have time,' trying to rally the troupes, but credit to NSW," said captain Tamika Upton.

Berry wasn't the only one who produced an epic try-saver on Peters either.

With 15 minutes remaining, Blues halfback Jesse Southwell collapsed clutching at her neck and chest, sparking immediate fears of a serious injury.

Southwell was attended to by NSW medical staff, who performed the necessary testing before allowing her to stay on the field.

Just a couple of minutes later, Southwell was back in the thick of things and bundled Peters over the sideline with a desperation tackle.

Watch the 2026 Women's State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.

"She was just down with a neck injury - they were about to get the medicab two minutes ago," Phil Gould said on commentary.

"She's not only saved the try, but maybe the game. That's an incredible effort."

NSW took an early 8-0 lead after tries for Jaime Chapman and Keeley Nizza, but the hosts managed to wrangle back some momentum before half time through Rory Owen.

Jada Ferguson put the Maroons ahead just after the break, but the lead was short-lived after an error from Brianna Clark handed the visitors possession.

Jess Sergis put the Blues back ahead, scoring in the corner before Southwell nailed a brilliant sideline conversion which ended up being enough.

With NSW already wrapping up the series, they head into game three on May 28 on the Gold Coast to attempt a clean sweep of the 2026 series.