Maroons defy the odds and the wind to beat the Blues

NSW had eight seconds left on the clock for a final play, but they allowed the ball to bounce and then the wind sent it straight into touch and the game was over. A closer score in the end than it looked like it would end up late in the game, but a well-deserved win for the Maroons.

A determined finish from NSW as they refuse to say die and Vette-Welsh makes a brilliant break. The conversion is again unsuccessful.

Hilder desperately tries to make something happen with a play at the line, but Upton fields the kick and sends it over the dead ball line, just playing down the clock. A drop out gives NSW another chance and Hanisi makes a strong run at the line and Dodd can’t add the two points – nothing is going right for NSW tonight.

66 mins: A sensational tackle from Peters on the last tackle of NSW’s set really summarises QLD’s intent in this game. NSW had the numbers to overrun them and score, but a huge tackle ends the set and puts QLD back into attack. They play a safe set and kick the ball as deep as they can.

64 mins: NSW can feel this game slipping away from them, Brigginshaw is controlling the pace nicely and keeping QLD’s heads up and the fight in the game. A penalty to NSW gives them some hope, but they need to work very quickly.

62 mins: Only eight minutes left in this clash, what can NSW do? They have the big advantage of the wind at their backs, but that hasn’t translated into many points for them as yet. Apps and Howard look to be the two players who can bring some fire to this line and close the gap, but they don’t have long to get the job done. A forward pass at the end of their set doesn’t help their cause.

Some nice quick decisions from the bunker tonight, very decisive from Shayne Hayne. Very fast feet from Penitani, along with brilliant ball control, led to that try. Howard can’t add the extra two points though.

60 mins: QLD let the ball bounce off the kick off and hand NSW an opportunity right on their line. A big head clash between Boyle and Gray results in a little stoppage to clean up some blood and gives NSW a chance to regroup before making a play for the line. Penitani looks to have crashed over, but we’re heading to the bunker.

Both Upton and Aiken have a great crack at the line before Hancock throws a sensational dummy and goes herself, crashing over the line for a classic prop try. Brown has a much easier kick this time and she nails it.

56 mins: Again Brigginshaw throws everything at this attacking effort, starting the set off with a big run. QLD are in great position once again.

54 mins: This game is QLD’s to lose now, they have all the momentum and the desire. NSW are hanging on desperately at the end of another great QLD set and get a penalty out of it.

A reckless penalty from NSW with a late hit on Brigginshaw after the kick sets up a brilliant opportunity for QLD. Again NSW were forced to defend on their own line. They looked like they had the numbers to cover it, but Aiken had them all deceived. Then it was finished off with a truly incredible kick from Brown to convert that looked like it was going nowhere near the posts and swung at the last second.

50 mins: An incredible kick into the wind from QLD inspired a great defensive effort, a good kick from NSW looked like it might get another set, but a knock on and an unsuccessful captain’s challenge put an end to that.

48 mins: Now it’s NSW who are looking a bit more tentative. They were really up and about at the start of this half, but that QLD try has really taken the wind out of yheir sails. A nice play late in the set looks like it may yield some points, but Howard’s kick is a touch too big and it goes straight to the Maroons.

46 mins: It might have been against the run of play, but it all counts and now QLD are looking even sharper. Brigginshaw gave her team a big rev up after that try, she’s not content to hold out, she wants more points on the board. A slick little set from QLD before the ball goes into touch and NSW gets possession back.

Well it was NSW with all the dominance and field position, but no surprise it’s Upton again who has the speed to make it to the try line, taking a lovely ball from Aiken and beating the defence to score under the posts. It’s an easy conversion for Brown and they’re up by six.

43 mins: Another mistake from QLD early in the set and NSW get some great field position with the ball in hand. They’re absolutely raring to go, playing a fast, hard brand of football as they surge towards QLD’s line. It’s exciting stuff, but some great QLD defence holds them out.

41 mins: Brigginshaw is determined to spark QLD back into action, a great little half break provides some spark at the end of their set and serves as a good reminder that we’re still all tied up here. Boyle is looking consistently strong for NSW, QLD are having a hard time containing her. But the wind plays its role again sending NSW’s kick over the dead ball line and handing QLD a seven tackle set from the 20m line.

39 mins: If anything that wind has got stronger, you can see the ball swirling in the air as QLD try to kick into it. NSW look like they’re loving having it behind them, playing with a renewed energy in this half. But they will want to turn that into points very soon. Another great kick from Howard at the end of their set pins QLD down in the corner and sets up some great field position for NSW.

37 mins: Great run from the 44-year-old Kylie Hilder at the start of the second half gets NSW into good position. A nice little kick from Howard ends the set but the bounce isn’t favourable and it goes into touch. NSW get straight back into defence and they’re not willing to give an inch.

And we’re underway in the second half! A little bit of rain falling now and QLD kick off to NSW who now have the breeze at their backs.

QLD were the favourites coming into this game, but NSW will be happy with their efforts in that half. Tamika Upton will be the real wildcard for QLD, she has the ability to break this game open if she gets the ball in hand in the right position. With three playmakers, Queensland should be able to make that happen, but the wind might have something to say about that.

Another talking point is the 35 minute halves – the NRLW only plays 30 minute halves. NSW looked very comfortable with the extra five minutes, but QLD looked tired late in the half and like they were trying to wind the clock down. It will be interesting to see how they recover after the half-time break.

A very entertaining half of rugby league with play wildly swinging from one end to another. QLD were the first to draw blood with a brilliant solo effort from Upton, but NSW hit back and looked more dominant late in the half. That very strong breeze may well have a further role to play – NSW have seen now what it can do and will look to take advantage of it in their kicking game in the second half.

34 mins: Just before half time and NSW look like they want to make an impact before the break. A great run from McGregor brings some momentum, but some desperate defence from Brigginshaw shuts it down. QLD look more like they’re hanging on until half time than trying to score at the moment.

32 mins: Boyle takes things too far in defence, a driving tackle turns into a penalty when she fails to heed the referee’s ‘held’ call. QLD start the set well, but a mistake from Breayley brings them undone again and NSW are back on their way.

30 mins: A quick bunker decision rules no try and the Maroons are forced to try again. They try to move the ball quickly, but a miscommunication leads to a knock on and give NSW a get out of jail free card. NSW power up the field from the resulting scrum, but the QLD defence is suffocating and they can’t break the line.

28 mins: A brain fade from Sergis from the kick off gives QLD a line drop out and a chance to go ahead again. They’re throwing everything at NSW and a touch on the last tackle gives them a new set on their line. Headed to the bunker to see if Harden is held up over the line.

It all starts with a brilliant run from Hanisi, coming off the bench strongly. Howard put in a lovely little kick and the bounce was favourable for Apps who picked it up and powered for the line. A fantastic return from injury for the captain. Howard adds the conversion and it’s all tied up.

24 mins: NSW have had a hard task into the wind, you have to wonder if QLD will want another try or two to feel comfortable before half time. The defence has been good in the face of continued attacks on the Blues’ line.

22 mins: Again NSW can’t capitalise on their opportunities, Sergis being dragged into touch with only her hair ending up out of the field, but it’s enough. Upton looked like scoring again, but a pass slowed the momentum and allowed NSW to defend it. The Blues hang on long enough to force an error.

20 mins: Brigginshaw is controlling a lot of the QLD attack, taking on that third playmaker role that she does so well. A pinpoint kick from her forces Vette-Welsh into touch and gives QLD an opportunity right on NSW’s line. Hancock makes a brilliant play for the line but the defence holds and there’s another turnover.

18 mins: A forward pass from QLD gives NSW an opportunity, but QLD are looking stronger after that try. Just when NSW are starting to find some momentum, a knock on gives the ball back to QLD.

Upton has looked exciting every time she’s touched the ball tonight and this was an incredible try from distance. A beautiful step beats Vette-Welsh and she scores with ease.

12 mins: That set has really fired NSW up, the defence is looking much more dynamic now and QLD have to pull out some special moves to try to break through it. Vette-Welsh pulled off a perfect kick return to cut off any hopes of a QLD try at the end of the set.

10 mins: Boyle gets within millimetres of the line, but the QLD defence is too strong. NSW manage to force a touch from the opposition to get a repeat set and go sideline to sideline looking for a gap in the defence. They thought they found one, but the pass to Parker was ruled forward.

8 mins: Ali Brigginshaw is already asking plenty of questions of the NSW defence, she looks dangerous every time she touches the ball. A kick from outside the 40 went over the dead ball line, which is a good indication of how windy it is out there! NSW snare another penalty late in the tackle count to give them another shot at breaking the QLD line.

6 mins: Good defence from NSW and they were able to hold on and have to work the ball off their own line, before picking up a penalty to progress them a bit further down the field. After those nervous first few minutes, the women in blue are looking a lot more confident – until another knock on from Shanice Parker robs them of a chance.

4 mins: A disastrous scrum feed from NSW – they had to be reminded to put another players in the scrum and then a knock on gifted the ball back to QLD, before giving away an immediate penalty. NSW’s defence is being tested early, let’s see how they hold on.

2 mins: As is customary in State of Origin, there’s a big hit first up, this time it was Millie Boyle delivering the goods. A good first set from QLD was finished with an excellent kick that pinned NSW down in the corner. QLD have the wind at their backs for the first half, so will look to take advantage of that. A great kick from NSW to finish their first set forced a QLD mistake and they will get the scrum feed.

And we’re underway, NSW have kicked off and Queensland have the ball

The teams are on the field now for the national anthem, it’s pretty windy out there and no one looks particularly warm or comfortable but it appears the rain has at least stopped now. Kick off is only a few minutes away.

It was touch and go for NSW captain Kezie Apps to be fit for this match, but she’s looking good and ready to get into the action. She spoke to NRL.com about her relief to be able to play in this hugely important game.

“It’s a massive relief, when I first went down with the injury my first thoughts were the NRLW but then not being able to pull this Blues jersey,” she said.

“It was meant to be 4-6 weeks in a brace but we fast-tracked that a little bit. I’ve worked really hard and am just excited to just be able to run out.”

What sort of role will the weather play tonight? The coverage has just started and it doesn’t look particularly pleasant up in the Sunshine Coast. This will be the first time women’s state of origin has been played in Queensland and the Maroons are looking forward to having the home ground advantage for a change. However, how both teams deal with the wet conditions may well be the deciding factor in this match.

Plenty to like about those starting line ups for both teams. The big talking point is that Kylie Hilder comes into the starting line for NSW after Keeley Davis was ruled out with injury