Overview
- The Blues won 11-6 at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night in front of 20,179 fans.
- A 20-metre field goal by 21-year-old Jesse Southwell with about seven minutes left broke a 6-6 tie, and Jess Sergis scored at the siren.
- Queensland lost Makenzie Weale in the first minute and Keilee Joseph late to head-injury assessments, which triggered the 18th-player activation for Destiny Brill.
- Otesa Pule, eligible under updated rules, came on early and scored the opening try before NSW prop Ellie Johnston leveled the match after halftime.
- NSW leads the three-game series 1-0 and can clinch it in Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium on May 14, ending a two-match Origin skid in Newcastle.