LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The NSW women's State of Origin team is undergoing significant changes for the upcoming series opener in Brisbane, with new coach John Strange making some bold decisions.
Roosters superstar Isabelle Kelly has been named captain as NSW seeks to avenge last year's disappointing series defeat.
Four debutants, including Abbi Church, Jayme Fressard, Ellie Johnston, and Jocelyn Kelleher, have been selected for the 20-player squad, while Kirra Dibb and Jesse Southwell are returning after missing the 2024 series.
Dibb and Southwell are expected to form a new halves pairing, with Rachael Pearson and Corban Baxter from last year's team not making the cut.
The team includes nine players from the Jillaroos squad that defeated England earlier this year.
Strange expressed his satisfaction with the team after a six-week training block, stating, "Having the six-week training block was a great opportunity to get to know all the players and see how they combined and worked together." The changes in the squad reflect NSW's determination to secure victory in this year's State of Origin series.