November 8, 2024

Kelly stars as Sky Blues clinch Origin thriller

Isabelle Kelly #IsabelleKelly

New South Wales have clinched the 2022 Ampol Women’s State of Origin with a late try to Isabelle Kelly sealing a 20-14 win for Kyle Hilder’s side in front of a record crowd at GIO Stadium.

In an enthralling contest, it was the Maroons looked to have produced a stunning comeback with a try inside the final minutes — only for Julia Robinson to be denied by Adam Gee in the bunker after she was offside from Ali Brigginshaw’s kick.

Instead, it would be the Nellie Doherty Medalist Kelly who had the final say, breaking her 10th tackle of the night to cross over late and ensure the Origin shield would be heading back to New South Wales following back-to-back wins in previous years from the Maroons.

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Isabelle Kelly gets a well deserved try

In front of a record women’s Origin crowd of 11,321, it was the Queensland who opened the scoring in the eighth minute when powerhouse lock Destiny Brill crashed over the line off the back of an inside pass from hooker Brittany Breayley-Nati.

The Blues were quick to respond, however, with Origin rookie Emma Tonegato planting the ball down in the air from a perfectly weighted kick from Keely Davis.

Three minutes later it was five-eighth Kira Dibb capitalising on the Sky-Blues new momentum to make it 12-4 with Rachael Pearson’s conversion.

Tarryn Aiken scoring a try for Queensland at GIO Stadium on Friday night Tarryn Aiken scoring a try for Queensland at GIO Stadium on Friday night ©Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos

The Maroons looked to regain the lead when Tarryn Aiken used her pace to cross over for the Maroons, with the conversion bringing the scoreboard back to a two point margin.

The second half saw NSW take the two-points again when rake Keeley Davis stripped of possession in a multiple-defender tackle, extending the lead 16-10.

Although suffering a blow with veteran prop Steph Hancock failing her HIA, the Maroons hit back with star centre Evania Pelite crossing in the 56th minute, blowing the game wide open with 10 minutes to go.

A late try denied Blues winger Tiana Penitani the match-winning moment, before Kelly put the icing on the cake to seal a six-point victory for the Blues. 

Match Snapshot

  • After falling behind early, New South Wales hit back with two tries in two minutes through fullback Emma Tonegato and five-eighth Kira Dibb
  • The Blues took two penalty shots which provided decisive in the end, keeping them in front by two points following Evania Pelite’s late try
  • Ali Brigginshaw’s kicking game was superb for the Maroons, forcing two errors from the Blues backs which led to points for her side
  • New South Wales started the first half with 11 from 12 completions while the Maroons had 25 missed tackles from the opening half
  • The half-time lead was the first time the Blues had been in front in Origin history, which was also the highest scoring first half in women’s Origin history
  • Veteran Maroons forward Steph Hancock failed her head injury assessment and only played limited minutes in the game.
  • Isabelle Kelly starred from the opening whistle, finishing the night with a try and a game high 186 metres to go with her 10 tackle breaks. She was named the Nellie Doherty medalist for her game-changing effort. 
  • Origin debutant Tonegato was also impressive, chalking up 163 metres and three linebreaks to go with her try.
  • GIO Stadium drew a crowd of 11,321 — the highest for a women’s Origin game
  • Play of the Game

    Keeley Davis sparked an opportunity for NSW when she stabbed in a kick behind the line. From there, it was all Emma Tonegato, who raced through to win the race to the ball against Upton — planting the ball down just before the dead-ball line.

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    How did she get this down?

    What They Said Up Next

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    NRL Press Conference: 2022 Ampol Women’s State Of Origin Game 1

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