New South Wales will be looking to close out this year’s Women’s State of Origin series on Thursday night, when they take on Queensland at Allianz Stadium.
The Blues are up 1-0 heading into this hometown showdown, thanks to a dominant 32-12 triumph at Suncorp Stadium earlier this month.
After winning away so convincingly in Queensland, you’d be forgiven for thinking this one and the series are a wrap, as it’s being played south of the border.
However, the Sky Blues found themselves in this exact position 12 months ago, up 1-0 in the series, with Game 2 in New South Wales.
For those with short memories, it would be the Maroons who would go on to lift the shield, overturning the one match deficit, with a Lauren Brown field goal securing victory in Newcastle in Game 2, before they ran rampant in the decider in Townsville.
Will we see a repeat of this revival? Or have the Blues learnt their lesson from last year?
For all the latest team news, analysis and betting tips ahead of this interstate showdown, check out our Women’s State of Origin Game 2 predictions below.
Women’s State of Origin Game 2 Team Lists
Queensland Team List
1. Tamika Upton
2. Julia Robinson
3. Shenae Ciesiolka
4. Rory Owen
5. Jasmine Peters
6. Tarryn Aiken
7. Ali Brigginshaw
8. Makenzie Weale
9. Lauren Brown
10. Jessika Elliston
11. Sienna Lofipo
12. Romy Teitzel
13. Keilee Joseph
14. Jada Ferguson
15. Sophie Holyman
16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi
17. Tavarna Papalii
New South Wales Team List
1. Abbi Church
2. Jaime Chapman
3. Jessica Sergis
4. Isabelle Kelly
5. Jayme Fressard
6. Tiana Penitani
7. Jesse Southwell
8. Simaima Taufa
9. Keeley Davis
10. Ellie Johnston
11. Kezie Apps
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Olivia Kernick
14. Jocelyn Kelleher
15. Kennedy Cherrington
16. Sarah Togatuki
17. Emma Verran
Women’s State of Origin Game 2 Predictions and Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
There’s no teacher quite like history. The wounds of last year’s capitulation with no doubt still be fresh for John Strange and his NSW Sky Blues’ side, meaning they will surely be doing everything in their power to avoid a repeat performance.
The performance they do want to repeat is that from Game 1 this year. Their outside backs such as Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly and Jayme Fressard had a field day on that occasion and no doubt the plan here will be to get those three involved as much and as early as possible.
That responsibility will fall on the Blues halves pairing of Tiana Penitani and Jesse Southwell, who have the skill and football IQ to ensure their strike players are getting the ball at the right time.
Queensland have plenty of strike weapons and highly intelligent footballers of their own and we do not expect the likes of Tamika Upton, Rory Owen and Ali Brigginshaw to go quietly.
Still, with lessons learnt from last year, confidence flowing aplenty and home ground advantage, we’re backing the Blues to see out the series and reclaim the shield.
Betting tip: New South Wales Blues.
First Try Scorer Prediction
We’re backing Blues’ skipper Isabelle Kelly to lead by example right from the off in Game 2 of the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series.
In Game One it was he fellow centre Jess Sergis who got the party started after just four minutes and now we’re backing Kelly, who also scored in Game One, to be the first one over here.
Betting tip: Isabelle Kelly.
Player of the Match Prediction
To match our narrative of NSW winning Game Two and the shield, it makes the most sense to pick one of the girls in blue for the Player of the Match award.
Rarely given to a player on the losing side, we’re going with NSW’s dynamic No.6 Tiana Penitani here.
We expect her to be involved in everything positive in attack, maximising her ability to both run the footy and bring her teammates into play at the right time.
Betting tip: Tiana Penitani.
Women’s State of Origin Game 2 Match Details
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Kick-off: 7:45pm AEST.
Location: Allianz Stadium, Sydney.