First two-game women’s State of Origin has more on the line than ever

T hursday night kicks off a big year for women’s rugby league. For the first time, women’s State of Origin becomes more than a standalone game, before an expanded NRLW featuring 10 teams takes flight next month.

While the upgrade from one Origin game to two is an improvement on previous years, it has left plenty of players and onlookers unsatisfied. New South Wales prop Millie Boyle has been particularly outspoken about the decision, saying a two-game series “seems ridiculous” and “doesn’t really feel fair”.

With NSW as the reigning champions, it appeared they could have held an early advantage if the Bledisloe Cup or Ashes model of the incumbent winners retaining the trophy in case of a draw was used. However, instead the model favoured by netball’s Constellation Cup, with aggregate scores used to calculate the winner in the case of a drawn series, will be used. It is a fairer way to do things – to provide a clean slate at the start of the series – but still does not quite hold the prestige of a three-game Origin series.

The move to two games does present the opportunity to have a home and away match for the first time. The standalone match in 2022 was held in Canberra – technically a neutral venue, but in reality a Sky Blues stronghold. NSW will get the first opportunity to play at home, with the opening match at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium, before warmer climes beckon for the second game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Scheduling provides an extra point of interest. NSW will be earmarking a win in game one to leverage their home ground advantage and stamp their authority on the series. But if there are two things a Queensland team loves, it is a home game and underdog status. This should make the