NSW Blues clinched a scrappy victory in their Women’s State of Origin opener against Queensland Maroons, with Yasmin Meakes and Abbi Church serving as the heroes by producing incredible late try-saving tackles.
With the score level at 6-6 heading into the final 13 minutes of the game, Maroons star Keilee Joseph collected the ball less than 10 metres from the line and looked set to go over to give her side the lead in Newcastle.
Watch the incredible try-saving tackles in the player above
But at the final moment, Meakes reached out and hauled Joseph off balance, before Church brought her down and knocked the ball out of her hands in the process.
It was a truly sensational passage of play from the Blues duo — and commentator Peter Psaltis could not believe what he had witnessed.
He said: “Oh, what a tackle! Abbi Church, take a bow. One of the best Origin try-savers you’ll see.”
It proved to be a crucial moment in the match as NSW went on to seal an 11-6 victory thanks to Jesse Southwell’s field goal and a Jess Sergis try.
And things went from bad to worse for The Maroons’ Joseph.
Moments after the Parramatta Eels lock had been tackled just short of the line, she was forced off with a nasty-looking injury.
Tiana Penitani Gray hit the ball up and Joseph had her head placed in an unfortunate spot as she suffered what appeared to be an almighty collision.
As she took a medicab from the field, NRL expert Allana Ferguson said on Channel 9: “That is devastating for Queensland.”
The night couldn’t have started any worse for the Maroons with prop forward Makenzie Weale also ruled out of the contest after a heavy head knock from the opening play of the game.
Otesa Pule came on and was celebrating two minutes later when the Kiwis star barged over from close range after Church spilt a kick.
In the second half, when Joseph was taken off, The Maroons were able to activate their 18th woman as a result of the two category one head knocks, with Destiny Brill coming on and charging down an attempted field goal by Southwell.
Life looks a little different for the Maroons with a new coach and with legendary halfback Ali Brigginshaw no longer there, but it looked for 45 minutes like they were set to produce a typical Origin ambush away from home.
A pre-series camp worked wonders for the Maroons who looked a lot fitter on Thursday night, with a frenetic late set almost getting them over the line but for the brilliance of Meakes and Church.
And NSW made their bitter rivals pay to seal victory in the first of the three-match series.
