LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Gold Coast's Sienna Lofipo, along with Lauren Brown and Jess Elliston, has been named to represent Queensland in the upcoming State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Lofipo, who made her debut last year, is looking to make a strong comeback after being sidelined with a knee injury.
Despite the setback, she managed to impress in Game II of the 2024 series with a solid 35-minute performance at lock.
Joining Lofipo in the Maroons camp are Brown and Elliston, who have both previously represented Queensland.
Elliston, a seasoned player with seven appearances for her state, will be participating in her fifth series.
Brown, on the other hand, will be playing in her seventh Queensland clash and is remembered for kicking a crucial one-pointer in last year's Game II, which helped secure a victory for the Maroons.
The trio will be stepping up to fill the void left by Evania Isa'ako and Shannon Mato, who have been ruled out of the series due to their pregnancies.
Despite the absence of these experienced players, the Queensland team is optimistic about their chances in the upcoming series.
The State of Origin games for women will be played in May, with a two-week gap between each match.
The first game is scheduled to take place at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, May 1, followed by Game II at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday, May 15.
The return of young talents like Lofipo, along with the experience of players like Brown and Elliston, gives Queensland a strong lineup for the series opener.
With a mix of veterans and newcomers, the Maroons are gearing up for an intense battle against New South Wales in what promises to be an exciting State of Origin series for women's rugby league.