Rugby League

Star prop back for Blues as Maroons reveal debutantes

Apr 22, 2026

The NSW Women's Origin squad were a picture of style ahead of their title defence. -AAP Image

Star prop Millie Elliott will be back in NSW sky blue for Women's State of Origin game one after missing the entire 2025 NRLW season following the birth of daughter Gigi.

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Meanwhile, Queensland will debut Chantay Kiria-Ratu in the halves after the retirement of legend Ali Brigginshaw at the end of last year's series.

Kiria-Ratu is one of three Maroons debutantes named on Wednesday along with Phoenix-Raine Hippi and Otesa Pule, while fellow newcomers Ivana Lolesio and Destiny Mino-Sinapati are on the extended bench.

Coach Nathan Cross is also on debut as the St George Illawarra NRLW head coach takes the Queensland reins for the first time.

The Sky Blues will unleash 'Flash' Teagan Berry from the bench for her debut, while Rima Butler is another would-be debutante in the extended squad.

Game one is at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium on April 30.

NSW will be out to retain the shield after winning the opening two games last year, although they were unable to clinch a series whitewash when Queensland won the final game in Newcastle.

This year the Maroons are buoyed by having two home game to end the series, first in Brisbane and then on the Gold Coast.

NSW squad. 1. Abbi Church, 2. Jaime Chapman, 3. Jess Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly, 5. Jayme Fressard, 6. Jocelyn Kelleher, 7. Jesse Southwell, 8. Millie Elliott, 9. Keeley Nizza, 10. Ellie Johnston, 11. Tiana Penitani Gray, 12. Yasmin Meakes, 13. Olivia Kernick, 14. Olivia Higgins, 15. Kennedy Cherrington, 16. Kezie Apps, 17. Teagan Berry, 18. Corban Baxter, 19. Rima Butler, 20. Qunicy Dodd. Coach: John Strange.

Queensland squad: 1. Tamika Upton, 2. Julia Robinson, 3. Rory Owen, 4. Shenae Ciesiolka, 5. Phoenix-Raine Hippi, 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu, 7. Lauren Brown, 8. Makenzie Weale, 9. Jada Ferguson, 10. Jessika Elliston, 11. Sienna Lofipo, 12. Romy Teitzel, 13. Keilee Joseph, 14. Emma Manzelmann, 15. Otesa Pule, 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 17.Brianna Clark, 18. Ivana Lolesio, 19. Destiny Brill, 20. Destiny Mino-Sinapati. Coach: Nathan Cross.