NRL fans lose it over insane Blues solo try in historic Women’s State of Origin drama

NSW winger Jaime Chapman is being hailed around the NRL world after scoring one of the all-time great State of Origin tries in historic scenes for the Blues on Thursday night. Playing in front of a parochial and record crowd at Queensland's Suncorp Stadium, the Blues silenced Maroons fans with a stunning 22-12 victory in Game I that puts them in the box seat to win the three-game Women's State of Origin series.

Blues playmaker Corban Baxter was at the centre of a contentious incident early on when she made contact with the legs of Maroons kicker Zahara Temara but wasn't penalised. However, it did little to dampen what was an outstanding win for the Blues as Chapman scored one of the best tries seen on the Origin arena in quite some time.

Chapman's earlier break had already laid the platform for NSW to take the lead in the fifth minute. Caitlin Johnson cut a hole through the Maroons' defence before finding Emma Tonegato in support as the Blues struck first blood. But that was just a sign of things to come as Chapman extended the visitors' lead in extraordinary circumstances.

The Blues winger received the ball on her own 15m line, before taking off downfield in a mazy run that left Maroons defenders stranded in her wake. Chapman weaved from one side to the other, scything her way through the Queensland defensive line before showing blistering pace to outrun the last few attempted tacklers and completing an epic solo try.

Jaime Chapman scores one of the great Origin tries

“What a sight in full flight, one of the great athletes in rugby league has scored one of the best individual tries we have seen in any Origin,” commentator Peter Psaltis enthused on Nine's commentary. Viewers agreed as social media was flooded with comments praising Chapman for a try that will likely go down in State of Origin folklore.

The incredible scenes saw the Blues race out to a 14-0 halftime lead that set them up for the crucial victory heading into Game II in Newcastle on June 6, where another win for NSW will see them clinch the series. "We've had a lot of people doubt our team so to prove all those people wrong and come away with a solid win, it's making game two very exciting," said Blues co-captain Isabelle Kelly.

Blues stun Maroons in front of record crowd

The decision from NSW to bring in veteran halfback Rachael Pearson for teen sensation Jesse Southwell paid dividends as the 30-year-old drilled a dropout to the sideline that signalled the beginning of NSW's first-half dominance. The win was even sweeter for the Blues as it came amid historic scenes, 25,492 fans turning out to set a Women's Origin attendance record.

Pearson kicked smartly throughout the contest and showed little signs of the calf injury that had hampered her this month. The halfback also made a try-saving one-on-one tackle on Tarryn Aiken in the second half as Queensland stormed back into the game. "I thought Rachael was outstanding," NSW coach Kylie Hilder said.

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The Maroons enjoyed plenty of footy in the second half and threatened to chase down the tiring Blues when reigning Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton crossed for the Maroons' first try. Emma Manzelmann then spilt the ball diving over for what could have been the Maroons' second, before Sky Blues prop Caitlan Johnston struck back for NSW.

Queensland were left to rue the missed chance as the NSW lead proved too great to chase down. "If Emma scores that try, it's 22-18 and it's a different ball game," said Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw. "We've got to learn from that, that's a kick in the butt to us."

with AAP