LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
NSW Blues coach John Strange has announced his 20-player squad for the upcoming women's State of Origin match against Queensland, including four debutants and a new captain.
Isabelle Kelly will lead the team, which features eight players who were not part of last year's series.
The new faces in the squad are Parramatta's Kennedy Cherrington, Titans' Shaylee Bent, Knights' Jesse Southwell, and Cowboys' Kirra Dibb.
Dibb, a playmaker for the Cowboys, last appeared in the Origin Shield in 2022.
The team will be led by Isabelle Kelly at Suncorp Stadium on May 1, with Kelly likely to succeed Blues great Kezie Apps as the next Jillaroos skipper.
Apps, a key player in the squad, is expected to start at prop in the absence of Millie Elliott and Caitlin Johnston-Green, who are both out of the series due to pregnancy.
The inclusion of new players like Abbi Church, Ellie Johnston, Jayme Fressard, and Jocelyn Kelleher adds fresh talent and depth to the Blues squad.
With a mix of experience and youth, coach John Strange is confident in his team's ability to take on Queensland in Game I.
Strange praised his squad's dedication and determination, stating, "The quartet of Origin rookies are joined Parramatta captain Kennedy Cherrington, Titans forward Shaylee Bent, Knights halfback Jesse Southwell, and Cowboys playmaker Kirra Dibb as the new faces in the squad." The addition of these new players reflects the coach's confidence in their skills and potential impact on the team.
With a strong mix of seasoned players and rising stars, the NSW Blues are gearing up for a competitive showdown against Queensland in the opening match of the women's State of Origin.
Despite missing key players due to pregnancy, the team is confident in their ability to secure a victory with the leadership of captain Isabelle Kelly and the talent of the new additions to the squad.