AAP Rugby

NSW's Penitani ruled out of women's Origin opener

By AAP Newswire

Jun 1, 2023

NSW winger Tiana Penitani in 2022 State of Origin action. — NSW's Tiana Penitani (left) will miss the State of Origin opener with a hamstring injury. -AAP Image

NSW winger Tiana Penitani will miss the women's State of Origin series opener with a hamstring strain, forcing the Sky Blues into an eleventh-hour reshuffling of their team.

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The Cronulla recruit suffered the injury during NSW's preparation camp. She was unable to complete the captain's run on Wednesday and ruled out on Thursday morning.

The match will be the first Origin fixture Penitani has missed since making her debut in 2019.

NSW coach Kylie Hilder will announce Penitani's replacement an hour before kick-off of Thursday's night's clash at Sydney's CommBank Stadium.

Either Teagan Berry or Quincy Dodd, both named in the extended squad, will come into the side.Â

Berry plays on the wing for St George Illawarra and scored two tries for Country in the City vs Country match earlier this year. She would be making her Origin debut if called up to the starting side.

Cronulla recruit Dodd is a utility player but would not slot onto the wing if picked, rather forcing a reshuffle in the backline.

The women's Origin series concludes with a second game in Townsville on June 22.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press