The Queensland Maroons are entering an unprecedented new chapter of women’s State of Origin rugby league, headlined by the selection of five first-time contenders for next week’s opening series clash in Newcastle. The major squad shake-up comes as the side adapts to life without Ali Brigginshaw, the legendary playmaker who defined a generation of Maroons football and retired from the Origin circuit this offseason, compounded by a season-ending knee injury to star half Tarryn Aiken that forced new head coach Nathan Cross to make sweeping, high-stakes selection calls.
Stepping into the critical playmaking roles left vacant by Brigginshaw are experienced utility Lauren Brown and exciting young rookie Chantay Kiria-Ratu, tasked with steering Queensland’s charge to reclaim the State of Origin shield. Brown, who stepped into the halfback role for the third and final match of last year’s series, retains the number seven jersey – a position she has already delivered iconic results in, slotting a match-winning field goal in wet, challenging conditions during 2024 to secure a critical victory for the Maroons. Her veteran leadership will be paired with Kiria-Ratu, who turned heads with a standout 2024 NRLW season for the Cronulla Sharks and now faces the biggest test of her fledgling professional career on rugby league’s biggest women’s state stage.
Cross’ appointment itself marks a break from the Maroons’ recent past, taking over from long-serving coach Tahnee Norris after Queensland surrendered the series title to New South Wales last year. Along with the new-look playmaking duo, four other new faces will get their chance to shine: winger Phoenix-Raine Hippi is named in the starting 17 for her Origin debut, while forward Otesa Pule will make her first Queensland appearance from the interchange bench. Young talents Ivana Lolesio and Destiny Mino-Sinapati round out the five rookies, earning spots in the 20-person extended squad as the side chases an upset to end NSW’s growing dynastic ambitions.
Star power remains at the core of the Maroons’ lineup, with Brisbane Broncos standouts Tamika Upton and Julia Robinson named in the starting side, forming a dangerous attacking edge that looms as the primary threat to NSW’s hopes of back-to-back series titles. The full Queensland squad will assemble for pre-match camp this Thursday, as Cross and his group look to prove that a youth-focused rebuild can deliver immediate results on the Origin stage. The full 20-person squad for game one is: 1. Tamika Upton, 2. Julia Robinson, 3. Rory Owen, 4. Shenae Ciesiolka, 5. Phoenix-Raine Hippi, 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu, 7. Lauren Brown, 8. Makenzie Weale, 9. Jada Ferguson, 10. Jessika Elliston, 11. Sienna Lofipo, 12. Romy Teitzel, 13. Keilee Joseph, 14. Emma Manzelmann, 15. Otesa Pule, 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 17. Brianna Clark, 18. Ivana Lolesio, 19. Destiny Brill, 20. Destiny Mino-Sinapati.