Key events
Kick-off!
The women’s State of Origin finale is under way…
A much more traditional rendition of the national anthem than we heard last night precedes both teams crouching into tight huddles for the final rev ups.
The crowd looks to be the most modest of the series so far, unsurprising considering the weather and the absence of competitive jeopardy.
Out jog the visitors in their sky and navy blue uniforms, led by the impressive Isabelle Kelly. And they’re soon joined by the Maroons with the host broadcaster soon training their attention on debutant fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati.
Conditions are not ideal, with southern Queensland seeing plenty of wind and rain today, and thunderstorms a possibility throughout the night.
Belinda Sharpe will referee her eighth Origin fixture in a row. She must be praying she avoids the drama that befell her male counterpart Ashley Klein last night in Sydney.
Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is jonathan.howcroft.casual@guardian.co.uk.
NSW XIII
The Blues have the luxury of naming an unchanged team. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
1. Abbi Church, 2. Jaime Chapman, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly ©, 5. Jayme Fressard, 6. Jocelyn Kelleher, 7. Jesse Southwell, 8. Millie Elliott, 9. Olivia Higgins, 10. Ellie Johnston, 11. Kezie Apps, 12. Yasmin Meakes, 13. Olivia Kernick
Interchange: 14. Keeley Nizza, 15. Kennedy Cherrington, 16. Rima Butler, 17. Teagan Berry
Queensland XIII
The Maroons have been rocked by injuries to IRL Golden Boot holder Julia Robinson, living legend Tamika Upton, and starting forward Makenzie Weale. Destiny Mino-Sinapati will debut at fullback with Lillian Yarrow coming onto the interchange.
1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati, 2. Shenae Ciesiolka, 3. Rory Owen, 4. Ivana Lolesio, 5. Jasmine Peters, 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu, 7. Lauren Brown, 8. Otesa Pule, 9. Destiny Brill, 10. Jessika Elliston, 11. Sienna Lofipo, 12. Romy Teitzel, 13. Keilee Joseph
Interchange: 14. Emma Manzelmann, 15. Brianna Clark, 16. Lillian Yarrow. 17. Jada Ferguson.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Women’s State of Origin Game 3. Kick-off between Queensland and New South Wales at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium is scheduled for 7.45pm AEST.
There is only state pride at stake this evening as the Blues arrive with an unassailable 2-0 series lead following narrow victories in Newcastle and Brisbane. But before NSW receive the Origin shield in enemy territory Queensland will be desperate to avoid being the first team to be handed a bagel in the short history of the multi-game women’s Origin format.
“No one wants to be part of a clean sweep,” asserted Queensland coach Nathan Cross earlier this week, “and if I look at the first two games – and I’ve said it on record – game one, we missed a chance, but with 30 seconds to go, we were still a fighting chance, down by a point. Game two, 30 seconds to go, we nearly score in the corner and snatch it late. So, history will show we’re down 2-0, but it’s a struck match between both teams in both games, and we feel like we let ourselves down in game two. I feel like we beat ourselves.”
The unchanged Blues will be tough to beat however, with the Maroons looking to the incoming Destiny Mino-Sinapati to provide some spark from fullback. The debutant has the daunting task of replacing injured superstar Tamika Upton.