NSW Origin shock as star snubbed

Teenage sisters Jesse and Hannah Southwell can at least talk through their pain together after both were axed by NSW coach Kylie Hilder for game one of the 2024 State of Origin series.

Star Newcastle halfback Jesse, who made her Origin debut last year before claiming the NRLW premiership trophy with the Knights, was “obviously disappointed” according to Hilder who said she could find her way back through the series.

The 19-year-old’s sister, Hannah, was part of the Sky Blues’ 21-player squad in 2023 but has also been dropped from the 2024 group that is chock full of experience.

Hilder has named Parramatta halfback Rachael Pearson to play alongside Roosters star Corban Baxter as the playmaking duo, with two debutants also included in a 20-player squad for game one against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, May 16.

“Just like all the other players, (Southwell) is obviously disappointed, but it is a three-game series. She is young so there’s plenty of time,“ Hilder said on Wednesday.

“We’re just really excited about the halves we’ve got ready to go. That’s what we’re focusing on.

“We’ve gone with Rachael and Corban, who complement each other perfectly in the halves.

“Rachael is a great half in that she controls the game, has a great kicking game. We lacked that last year.

“She is really fit, she’s ready to go and she just fits the way we want to play and still want to play, and as I said, Corban just complements her with that.‘’

Eight NRLW clubs are represented in the squad, with the Sydney Roosters having the most with six players.

Newcastle hooker Olivia Higgins, and Canberra Raiders prop Grace Kemp will make their debuts, with the extended squad also including uncapped Jakiya Whitfeld and Ellie Johnston as well as Kirra Dibb, who represented the Sky Blues in 2019 and 2022.

The opening match kicks off a historic year for women’s Origin, which moves to a three-game series for the first time.

Queensland won last year’s two-match series on aggregate points after each team won a match.

Game two will be played in Newcastle on Thursday, June 6, and game three in Townsville on Thursday, June 27.

NSW SKY BLUES

Game One, Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, Thursday, May 16

1. Emma Tonegato (Cronulla)

2. Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans)

3. Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters)

4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)

5. Tiana Penitani (Cronulla)

6. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters)

7. Rachael Pearson (Parramatta Eels)

8. Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)

9. Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights)

10. Caitlan Johnston (Newcastle Knights)

11. Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights)

12. Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers)

13. Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters)

14. Taliah Fuimaono (Gold Coast Titans)

15. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters)

16. Grace Kemp (Canberra Raiders)

17. Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers)

18. Jakiya Whitfeld (North Queensland Cowboys)

19. Kirra Dibb (North Queensland Cowboys)

20. Ellie Johnston (Cronulla)