The Mole's Origin II player ratings: The alarming Rachael Pearson stat in dramatic NSW defeat
Updated . First published at
Queensland have sent the Women's State of Origin series to a historic decider, with a late field goal from Lauren Brown sealing a dramatic victory on Thursday night.
Less than 24 hours after their male counterparts dominated NSW, it was the Maroons who again came out on top, with Brown's one-pointer enough for the 11-10 win.
Taryn Aiken's late try and some rampaging runs from Shannon Mato proved to be the difference when the game was on the line, setting up a tie-breaker in Townsville.
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Despite the best efforts of Jess Sergis and Kezie Apps, the late surge from the visitors at McDonald Jones Stadium was too much for the Sky Blues to handle.
Kezie Apps runs the ball in State of Origin. Getty
As usual, Wide World of Sports' The Mole pulls no punches in breaking down the performances of all 34 players who took the field in an epic Origin encounter.
NSW SKY BLUES
1. Emma Tonegato
On a tough night for fullbacks, ran for 150 metres and was safe under pressure.
Rating: 7
2. Jaime Chapman
The talk of the league after game one, got few chances in the soggy conditions but was always a threat with her pace.
Rating: 6.5
3. Jessica Sergis
Despite carrying a leg injury for more than half the game, made two line breaks and was among the Blues' real danger women.
Rating: 7
4. Isabelle Kelly
Made more run metres than any player on the field (173) but came up with a bad read in defence that gifted QLD the late try that tied the scores.
Rating: 7.5
5. Tiana Penitani
Ran for over 100 metres and nailed the only real chance she got with a determined try in the corner.
Rating: 7
6. Corban Baxter
Came up with one of the plays of the night with a great pass for Penitani's try and also managed some big effort plays.
Rating: 8
7. Rachael Pearson
Kicked the ball well but didn't run enough for a halfback - one attempt for a mere seven metres.
Rating: 5.5
8. Millie Elliott
Held up the middle well and came up with 35 bruising tackles in defence.
Rating: 6
Millie Elliott battled hard for the Blues. Getty
9. Olivia Higgins
A quiet game as hooker, doing little to get her team going forward and making only three darts out of dummy-half.
Rating: 5
10. Caitlan Johnston
The hometown girl who was such a handful in game one was handled better by the Maroons defence and kept relatively quiet.
Rating: 5
11. Kezie Apps
Constantly tested the Maroons defence out wide but was unable to show her full power running game in the wet conditions.
Rating: 7
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
Made more tackles than anyone on the field and also ran for over 100 metres - the best of the Blues.
Rating: 7.5
15. Olivia Kernick
Justified her late inclusion in the starting side with 150 run metres, playing almost the full 70 minutes.
Rating: 7.5
13. Keeley Davis
Came off the bench to score the game's first try from dummyhalf and almost grabbed another in the second half.
Rating: 6.5
14. Taliah Fuimaono
Got just eight minutes of game time and didn't make a run.
Rating: 2
16. Grace Kemp
Didn't get many chances to show her class in her 31 minutes off the bench.
Rating: 5
17. Sarah Togatuki
The best of the Blues' bench, adding energy with her runs and offloads.
Rating: 6.5
Watch the 2024 Women's State of Origin series on Nine and 9Now.
QUEENSLAND MAROONS
1. Tamika Upton
Kept bringing the ball back well from deep inside her own territory in the awful conditions, running for over 130 metres.
Rating: 7.5
Tamika Upton in action for the Maroons. Getty
2. Julia Robinson
With the Maroons struggling for ball and field position for much of the game, had few chances but still made 118 metres.
Rating: 6.5
3. Shenae Ciesiolka
One of Queensland's comeback heroes, scoring the try that started the late fightback with a determined burst.
Rating: 7
5. Evania Pelite
Proved a real handful for the Blues defence, making nearly 150 metres and coming close to scoring twice, denied by last ditch defence.
Rating: 7.5
17. Emmanita Paki
On a bad night for wingers, barely saw the ball, making just four runs for 20 metres.
Rating: 4
6. Tarryn Aiken
Made some errors early but made amends with a great solo try with a show and go that tied up the scores.
Rating: 7
7. Ali Brigginshaw
After a poor showing in the forwards in game one, shone back at halfback, laying on a try and kicking intelligently.
Rating: 8
8. Shannon Mato
A deserved winner of player of the match, leading the Maroons in running metres and playing a key role in the fightback.
Rating: 8.5
4. Lauren Brown
Did a good job at hooker and came up with the clutch play of the game with her late field goal that separated the teams.
Rating: 7.5
Lauren Brown took her chance and sealed the moment with ease. Getty
10. Jessika Elliston
Did her job up front, holding the powerful Blues pack and coming up with over 100 run metres through the middle.
Rating: 6.5
11. Tazmin Rapana
Has a great motor and showed it on the heavy track, playing the whole game and running for 100 metres.
Rating: 7.5
12. Romy Teitzel
Last year's player of the series played the full game but was carefully marked by the Blues defence, making little headway.
Rating: 6
13. Sienna Lofipo
The 19-year-old played the full game in the middle and was well contained, but will learn from the experience.
Rating: 6.5
9. Destiny Brill
Didn't enjoy her late benching, making just three runs when she got on the field for 26 metres.
Rating: 4
14. Emma Manzelmann
Never managed to make an impression when she got her chance, having just one run for seven metres.
Rating: 2
15. Makenzie Weale
Got 26 minutes off the bench and made the most of it, running strongly and adding spice to the defence.
Rating: 5.5
19. Keilee Joseph
A dangerous player with the ball, showed some good footwork but like most of the players, would have enjoyed a drier track.
Rating: 5.5
