LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
NRL fans are rallying behind Allana Ferguson's support for Greg Inglis to take over as the coach of the Queensland women's State of Origin team. Following the decision of long-time mentor Tahnee Norris not to renew her contract, the Maroons are in search of a new women's coach.
Norris, who has coached Queensland for five successful years, led the team to its first-ever three-match series win in 2024, along with securing the women's shield in 2021 and 2023, despite setbacks in 2022 and 2025. This year's series ended with NSW taking victory 2-1, but Norris's overall record included winning three out of five series as coach.
Her recent resignation was described as an "absolute privilege" to coach the team. The Queensland Rugby League may consider promoting from within, with assistant coaches Dave Elliott and Meg Ward recognized as strong candidates for the role. Inglis also stands out as a potential choice, having served on Norris's coaching staff for the past two years. As a veteran of 32 Origin matches, he has shifted toward coaching within women's rugby.
The 38-year-old has experience as an assistant under Norris in 2024 and has taken on a role with the Wests Tigers as a mentor for the NRLW team's outside backs in 2025.
During a Channel 9 appearance on Saturday, Ferguson expressed her support for Inglis as the ideal candidate to succeed Norris. The former NSW and Jillaroos player stated she would "love to see" Inglis as the Maroons coach. She emphasized, "There are some exciting names that have been thrown into the mix. He is a legend of the game, but also what I truly believe is so important in the women's game is someone who genuinely cares. Greg Inglis is someone who has cared about the women's game for a very long time, before it was front and centre and had this media attraction. I think it would be a great appointment and a strong candidate for Queensland."