LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Westpac NSW Blues Women's coach John Strange has announced his squad for the upcoming State of Origin match against Queensland, with four debutants and a new captain leading the team.
Isabelle Kelly, who plays for the Sydney Roosters, will captain the Blues, with eight new players joining the squad compared to last year.
The four Origin rookies include Abbi Church, Ellie Johnston, Jayme Fressard, and Jocelyn Kelleher, while Kennedy Cherrington, Shaylee Bent, Jesse Southwell, and Kirra Dibb round out the new faces in the team.
Kelly, who is also Strange's captain at the Roosters, is expected to take over as the next Jillaroos skipper from Blues great Kezie Apps.
Apps, who remains in the squad, is likely to start at prop in the absence of Millie Elliott and Caitlin Johnston-Green, who are both out due to pregnancy.
The squad also includes experienced players like Apps, who has previously helped NSW win the Origin Shield, providing a mix of new talent and seasoned campaigners.
The team will face off against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on May 1 in what promises to be an exciting match.
Apps' leadership and experience will be crucial for the Blues, especially with the absence of key players due to pregnancy.
The addition of talented newcomers like Church, Johnston, Fressard, and Kelleher adds depth to the squad and highlights the ongoing growth of women's rugby league.
Overall, the blend of new and experienced players in the squad bodes well for the Blues as they aim to secure victory in the State of Origin match against Queensland.
With Kelly at the helm and Apps providing support and guidance, the team looks set to put up a strong fight in what is sure to be a fiercely contested game.