The 2026 edition of the Women’s State of Origin gets underway on Thursday night when current shield-holders New South Wales host arch rivals Queensland.

McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle serves as the battleground for Game 1. Despite being situated deep in New South Wales rugby league heartland, this venue holds a complex history for the home side.

The Blues will be desperate to break their Newcastle hoodoo. Queensland has managed to secure victories in both previous Origin clashes played at this stadium.

In terms of personnel, both squads feature a mix of seasoned veterans and exciting debutants.

NSW coach John Strange has named a relatively settled lineup for the opening game of the 2026 series. His squad features 14 players from the team that secured last year’s shield.

The biggest inclusion for the Blues is prop Millie Elliott who hasn’t played footy of any kind for 18 months, due to maternity leave after giving birth to her first child.

Across state lines, things are a lot less settled for the Maroons. Coach Nathan Cross has named five potential debutants in his maiden State of Origin squad. The team must navigate the retirement of Maroons legend Ali Brigginshaw and the absence of star halfback Tarryn Aiken due to an ACL injury.

To fill this void, Cross has selected a brand-new halves combination. Young gun Chantay Kiria-Ratu will partner with former Titans teammate Lauren Brown.

Can this changing of the guard for Queensland lead to a Game 1 upset? Or will the favourites New South Wales take the first step towards retaining the shield?

For all the latest team news, analysis and betting tips, check out our Women’s State of Origin 2026 Game 1 predictions below.

Women’s State of Origin Game 1 Team Lists

Queensland Women

1. Tamika Upton (Brisbane Broncos)

2. Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos)

3. Rory Owen (Parramatta Eels)

4. Shenae Ciesiolka (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

5. Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Gold Coast Titans)

6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Cronulla Sharks)

7. Lauren Brown (Gold Coast Titans)

8. Makenzie Weale (North Queensland Cowboys)

9. Jada Ferguson (Brisbane Broncos)

10. Jessika Elliston (Gold Coast Titans)

11. Sienna Lofipo (Gold Coast Titans)

12. Romy Teitzel (Brisbane Broncos)

13. Keilee Joseph (Parramatta Eels)

14. Emma Manzelmann (North Queensland Cowboys)

15. Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters)

16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Brisbane Broncos)

17. Brianna Clark (Brisbane Broncos)

18. Ivana Lolesio (Gold Coast Titans)

19. Destiny Brill (Brisbane Broncos)

20. Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Gold Coast Titans)

New South Wales Women

1. Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels)

2. Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)

3. Jess Sergis (Sydney Roosters)

4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)

5. Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters)

6. Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters)

7. Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos)

8. Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)

9. Keeley Nizza (Sydney Roosters)

10. Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

11. Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

12. Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights)

13. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)

14. Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights)

15. Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels)

16. Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers)

17. Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons)

18. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters)

19. Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters)

20. Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks).

Women’s State of Origin Game 1 Predictions and Betting Tips 2026

Head-to-Head Prediction

Naturally the H2H odds have defending champs NSW installed as comfortable favourites for Game 1.

The Blues are carrying the confidence of their dominant 2025 series win while also boasting a highly cohesive core group of players and home ground advantage.

Conversely, Queensland faces a transition period with their new-look spine. While Kiria-Ratu and Brown are immensely talented, orchestrating an Origin victory on debut as a halves pairing is a monumental task. 

The Maroons do hold a psychological edge in Newcastle, having won both previous encounters at McDonald Jones Stadium.

However, the continuity and established combinations of the NSW Blues give them a distinct advantage. 

Expect a fiercely contested first half as Queensland's new spine finds its footing. Ultimately, the Blues' experience and attacking firepower should overwhelm the new-look Maroons.

Betting tip: New South Wales Women.

First Try Scorer Prediction

There are a number of candidates for this market across both sides. For New South Wales, fullback Abbi Church and winger Jaime Chapman offer lethal finishing abilities on the edges. 

Chapman, in particular, has a knack for finding the try line in high-pressure situations.

For Queensland, Tamika Upton remains one of the most dangerous attacking weapons in the game.

If the Maroons secure early field position, Upton’s speed and support play make her a prime candidate to cross the stripe first.

However, given the Blues' attacking dominance last series and their tendency to strike early at home, backing a New South Wales outside back offers great value.

Jaime Chapman’s combination of speed, strength, and finishing awareness makes her our top pick to open the scoring.

Betting tip: Jamie Chapman.

Player of the Match Prediction

The Player of the Match honours in State of Origin usually goes to a player from the winning side. 

Yes, Queensland fullback Tamika Upton seemingly owns this arena, but with the halves matchups being a major talking point, attention naturally turns to the number seven and six jerseys.

If New South Wales are to win as predicted, their halfback Jesse Southwell fingerprints will undoubtedly be all over the result.

As the primary playmaker for the Blues, her kicking game and decision-making will dictate the flow of the match and her ability to organize the attack and force repeat sets has her in good stead to be the standout performer on the field come Thursday night.

Betting tip: Jesse Southwell.

Women’s State of Origin Game 1 Match Details 2026

Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Kick-off: 7:45pm AEST.

Location: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, New South Wales.