Sharks Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team members Tiana Penitani and Quincy Dodd step out tomorrow night in Canberra as a part of the NSW Sky Blues team intent on winning back the Women’s State of Origin shield.
Penitani, a hard running outside back, along with elusive dummy half Dodd, will both be integral to the Blues chances as they look to turn around the agonising two-point NSW loss from 12-months ago.
While Dodd will start the game from the interchange bench, Penitani is in the NSW run on side on the wing.
Sam Bremner, Talei Holmes, Teagan Berry and Corban Baxter, all from the Sharks HNWP team, were named in an extended Blues squad but other than for game day emergencies, won’t participate in the GIO Stadium clash.
The NSW Sky Blues have four debutants among the 17 players named by head coach Kylie Hilder, included amongst them the St George Illawarra Dragons NRLW pair of fullback Emma Tonegato and halfback Rachael Pearson, Sydney Roosters back-rower Olivia Kernick and Newcastle Knights prop Caitlan Johnston.
Eleven of the 22 players selected in the extended squad were in the 2021 Origin side, while Kirra Dibb (2019), Shaylee Bent (2020) and Bremner (2018) making their return to the Sky Blues.
The NSW team arrived in Canberra on Monday, before finalising preparations earlier today ahead of the fifth Women’s State of Origin game since the re-branding in 2018 of the former Interstate Challenge game between NSW and Queensland.
The match at GIO Stadium is scheduled for a 7.45pm kick off on Friday night.
NSW Sky Blues
1. Emma Tonegato
2. Yasmin Clydsdale
3. Jess Sergis
4. Isabelle Kelly
5. Tiana Penitani
6. Kirra Dibb
7. Rachael Pearson
8. Simaima Taufa
9. Keeley Davis
10. Millie Boyle
11. Kezie Apps (c)
12. Shaylee Bent
13. Hannah Southwell
Interchange
14. Quincy Dodd
15. Sarah Togatuki
16. Caitlan Johnston
17. Olivia Kernick
Non-playing reserves
18. Sam Bremner
19. Teagan Berry
20. Filomina Hanisi
21. Talei Holmes
22. Corban Baxter
