The NSW Women’s State of Origin side is intent on sealing a series win and reclaiming the crowd record when they play Game Two on Thursday night at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

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A fortnight ago, 26,022 fans flocked to Suncorp Stadium to see the Blues score a 20-point win in Game One – though the Queenslanders broke the series crowd record set in a rained-soaked Newcastle (25,782) last year.

“I think it would be amazing to break the record at Allianz Stadium, I love the ground, it’s honestly the best stadium,” said Blues star Olivia Kernick, who plays at the 45,500-capacity ground with the Sydney Roosters.

Kernick and Blues veteran Kezie Apps spoke with foxsports.com.au on some hot topics in the lead-up to Origin II, with the series booming in quality and popularity despite ongoing challenges.

THE SCHEDULING ISSUE

Barring a Jillaroos game in Las Vegas on March 2nd, there was no football for the players leading into Origin I; only a six-week training block to preparation.

State league football was pushed back to be played in line with the NRLW competition, and Apps is hoping that the expansion of the NRLW fixture means football will again be played before Origin in future.

The NRLW, with 11 home-and-away rounds this season after the Bulldogs and Warriors were added, doesn’t start until July 3.

“It’s definitely very hard, I think the quality of the game was still good considering it was the first game of the year and it’s always the toughest game in the calendar for us,” Kernick said.

“We did a great six-week training camp, so we were trying to imitate that game intensity, but I still think the quality was really good.”

Apps agreed and said: “There were definitely nerves for Game One” and “We definitely do need to play and be in club land earlier leading into Origin, because being in that professional environment and being able to get that regular training at that high standard to prepare for Origin would better our game.”

“Our competition isn’t as long and it is difficult in that regard, but you know in the next couple of years it’s getting longer and longer and we are starting a lot earlier, so it’ll definitely overlap in the next couple of years to do a bit of pre-season in the NRLW before the Origin stuff as well,” Apps said.

Kernick and Apps both recall where the fixtures were previously – the NRLW began as a tiny competition in 2018, while the interstate game was only rebranded as Origin that year before becoming a three-game series in 2024 – and they are grateful for the small progress within women’s league.

“In 2018 there were only four teams, and we played for four weeks,” Apps said of the inaugural NRLW.

“It was wild in itself, we had a three-week pre-season before we played our Round 1, and if you didn’t go well in Round 1 you were screwed, you didn’t even make finals.”

Apps, now with Wests Tigers, pointed out the hidden benefits that are also growing with the increased professionalism in women’s rugby league. In particular, support in dealing with the highs and lows of the game and planning for future employment.

“To have that support and for the Tigers to back me that way and just want me around the club is just great,” Apps said.

“They are helping me trial different departments and areas that I could potentially go in post footy.”

“People are also now employed by the club just for the women’s space now, which is massive because the more full-time staff you have the more access you’ve got to train or be seen more regularly, not just in our short NRLW season which is wild.”

“It’s paying off, it’s obviously a slow burn but the more investment and the more support we have, and the more that we are full-time, the better our product is going to be.”

“We are not even full-time athletes yet, so can you just imagine what our game could get to if we were able to do it full-time like the men’s program.”

THE REPRESENTATIVE RECALL

Kernick was the 2024 Dally M Medallist after an outstanding season for the premiership-winning Roosters yet was controversially axed from the Jillaroos squad last year under former coach Brad Donald.

She was recalled for the Vegas game under interim Australian coach Jess Skinner, and a starting pick for Blues boss John Strange; who is also her coach at the Roosters.

“When you miss out on a selection it definitely builds character, but yeah I’ve never taken a jersey for granted,” she said.

“I’m so grateful and happy to be back in a Blues jersey.”

Both Kernick and Apps suffered injuries during Game One but refused to be sidelined.

“Kezie sort of twisted her elbow but managed to go back on and finish the game,” Strange said.

“(Kernick) fell on the knees of one of the Queenslanders and definitely took the wind out of her, I think she is nursing some sore ribs.”

“Spoke to her at about half-time to give her some spell, I’ve coached her for five years and she’s played every minute of every game I’ve coached her in.”

“Even though in certain times other players would come off the field, she is just incredibly hard to get off the field especially in this arena, State of Origin was going to be really hard for me to get her off. She would’ve given me a mouthful after the game if I did.”

THE GAME ONE CONTROVERSY

With a big accusation from NSW hooker Keeley Davis about a possible Queenslander eye gouge created headlines in Origin I. Davis stood by the claim post-match without naming the offender or pursuing further action.

Keen to put the uproar to bed, Kernick said the Blues had moved on and that Queenslander Romy Teitzel, given blame by some commentators, was not at fault for the alleged incident.

“There’s not much talk about it obviously – you know, different situations on the field, you never know if things are intentional in the sport we play,” Kernick said.

“There’s definitely nothing coming from it, so I think everyone just sort of needs to put it to rest.”

“No hard feelings towards the Queensland girls at all, especially Romy Teitzel who has really copped the brunt of it because of you know people just accusing her straight away and she wasn’t even involved.”

“It’s been put to rest at the Blues and hasn’t really even been spoken about much.”

GAME TWO KEY INFORMATION

Thursday, May 15, 7:45pm at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

(Game 3: Thursday, May 29, 7:45pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)

Origin II squads

NSW: 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. Bench: 14. Jocelyn Kelleher 15. Kennedy Cherrington 16. Sarah Togatuki 17. Emma Verran. Reserves: 18. Shaylee Bent 19. Olivia Higgins 20. Brydie Parker.

QLD: 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. Bench: 14. Jada Ferguson 15. Sophie Holyman 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 17. Tavarna Papalii. Reserves: 18. Georgia Hannaway 19. Destiny Brill 20. Hayley Maddick.