The New South Wales Blues have officially cemented their place in the history books after pulling off a gritty 12-4 victory against the Queensland Maroons at Robina on the Gold Coast. This result wraps up the 2026 series with a 3-0 scoreline, marking the first time in the history of the women's competition that one side has walked away with a perfect clean sweep. The result marks a tough, physical encounter that tested the limits of both teams on Thursday night, and the Blues managed to hang on when it mattered most.
Blues captain Isabelle Kelly was visibly emotional after the match, describing herself as "speechless" at the feat her team had achieved. For those who haven't followed the rise of the women's game, the State of Origin is arguably the most intense rivalry in Australian rugby league. Winning three games on the bounce isn't just about skill; it's about having the lungs, the grit, and the collective focus to stay standing when the opposition is throwing everything at you.
" We didn't make it easy for ourselves, but we got the job done," Jasmin Meakes, the Blues second-rower, said. "I knew this year there was something special about our whole wider squad."
Jasmin Meakes, who was the Blues standout performer across the series, took home the prestigious Katrina Fanning Medal. Her work rate, paired with the sheer power provided by prop Ellie Johnston and lock Olivia Kernick, created a platform that the Maroons simply couldn't find a way to dismantle. Meakes was described by her coaches as a relentless competitor who never stopped running, making her a huge factor in the team's success.
The Maroons faced a mountain of trouble before the first whistle even blew; Queensland coach Nathan Cross was forced to make do without captain Tamika Upton, star winger Julia Robinson, and the hard-hitting forward Makenzie Weale due to injuries. Despite being severely undermanned, the Queenslanders didn't roll over. They threw everything they had into the contest, relying on grit to stay within striking distance for most of the night.
A bright spot for the Maroons was the performance of Destiny Mino-Sinapati, a local Gold Coast product who stepped into the pressure-cooker environment of an Origin debut to fill in for the missing Upton. Her ability to weave through traffic and distribute the ball kept the Blues on their toes throughout the second half. Coach Cross couldn't hide his admiration for her, declaring her a "10 out of 10 human being" who truly earned her spot in the lineup.
While the Blues are celebrating their win, the loss has forced the Queensland team to do some soul-searching - simple errors cost them momentum at key moments, allowing the Blues to maintain their lead. Coach Cross remains optimistic about the future, acknowledging that his younger players gained invaluable experience during this series. The gap between the two states appears tighter than the final score suggests.
The series has been a massive showcase of the progress made in the women's game. The level of tactical play and the intensity of the tackles have reached new heights. The women's game is no longer just a side show, but a force to be reckoned with in Australian rugby league. Supporters in Sydney are already talking about the Blues as a dynasty in the making, while those in Brisbane are looking forward to next season as a chance to rebuild and make their mark. The result is a significant milestone for the sport as it continues to build its own unique history in the Australian sporting landscape.