Country 'cowgirl' opens up on long road to Blues debut

The NSW Blues will have a self-described cowgirl in their ranks when they try to rope in Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. Ellie Johnston, from the tiny bush town of Coomba Park near Foster, has been riding horses all her life and competes in events such as rodeos and showjumping in the off season. "I'm a bush girl - a cowgirl - and love my horses almost as much as I love my footy," the Cronulla Sharks prop told Wide World of Sports. "We live on a farm so my parents look after my horses when I'm not around, which is lucky for me." The 24-year-old forward has had a long and frustrating wait for her Blues debut at Suncorp. She was named on the extended bench four times in 2023 and 2024 before being cut before the game, so is desperate to run out onto the field with her teammates. "I've had to be patient and I'm a little nervous - it will be the biggest game I have ever played," she said. "But I have been in two grand finals in the NRLW so I kind of know what to expect. "Being in the middle is a real tussle - I like to call it the washing machine." The strongly-built 109kg prop has a part-time job as a support worker and combines that with her football at the Sharks. Johnston is cagey about what her role will be in the big game. "(Coach) John Strange has picked me for a reason," she said. "Obviously I have to make the hard yards and do my tackles first of all but after that, you never know what to expect."

Edwards Keeps Teddy At Bay

Dylan Edwards rose to the challenge of James Tedesco to ensure he will be the Blues fullback for Origin I next month. With the Panthers struggling since Las Vegas and needing to make a statement over the Roosters, Edwards was superb. He won his battle against Tedesco - the form fullback of the early rounds - and that paved the way for the return to form by the four-time champions. Edwards ran for 238 metres - exactly double his rival's 119 - and was the sharper of the two around the rucks.

Calls for Laurie Daley to axe NSW State of Origin player after poor start to NRL season

The Sydney Roosters' lukewarm start to the NRL season could have consequences for a number of State of Origin players, with many slamming Spencer Leniu for his display against the Titans on Friday night. Leniu was a revelation for NSW in 2024, providing spark off the bench with short bursts of power and speed through the middle. However he's struggled to find the same form in 2025 and hasn't been nearly as effective as a starting player. Leniu missed the first two games of the NRL season after getting himself suspended for a high tackle in the pre-season. He performed well against the Warriors in Round 3, running for 117 metres and breaking six tackles in 53 minutes. However he crashed back to earth against the Titans in Round 4, running for just 69 metres in 42 minutes of action. He also missed four tackles and didn't break any with ball in hand. The former Panthers player completely lost his head in a game-changing moment in the second half with the game in the balance at 12-12. Jayden Campbell had just scored an intercept try to level the score when it appeared the Roosters were certain to score. In the very next set, Leniu tried to fire up his team by putting a big shot on David Fifita, but he went way over the top and gave away a penalty for a second effort in the ruck. Not long after the Titans scored again, and went on to win 30-12. Roosters fans were critical of Leniu's moment with Fifita, labelling it "embarrassing" and "costly". Some even went as far as to suggest NSW coach Laurie Daley can't afford to pick Leniu in Origin this year due to his habit of hot-headed brain snaps.

Craig Bellamy bombshell as Daley confirmed as NSW Origin coach

Laurie Daley has been unveiled as the new Blues State of Origin coach, with the NSW Rugby League board also handing Craig Bellamy a special advisory role. NSWRL announced Daley as Michael Maguire’s successor on Monday, but the news has divided fans, with many feeling as if they are repeating mistakes of the past. The former coach has previously been held back from the role due to his involvement with TAB. But Daley has given up those commitments to lead the Blues in 2025 as NSW look to land back-to-back series wins over Queensland. But despite the monumental series win, his reign in charge of NSW is not one looked back on fondly. Daley won just one of five series in charge of the Blues and was sacked at the end of 2017 after the likes of Andrew Johns slammed the coach for his lack of tactical prowess and his inability to adapt as the Blues let a 1-0 lead slip. And following news of his appointment on Monday, many Blues fans felt as if NSWRL haven't learnt from the mistakes of the past.

Broncos confirm Madge signing after quitting Blues

Brisbane has confirmed the appointment of Michael Maguire as coach on a three-year contract. The Broncos announced the news on Tuesday morning, almost 24 hours after reports first broke that Maguire had left his NSW Rugby League job to pursue the Red Hill gig. The Blues on Tuesday confirmed Maguire had been released from the second year of his State of Origin contract, having coached the Blues to a series victory in his one and only campaign. Maguire takes the reins of the Broncos after they sacked Kevin Walters last week. "Michael brings a wealth of experience across more than two decades of coaching and he has tasted success at club, state and international level," Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy said. Maguire won an NRL premiership with South Sydney in 2014 and has since coached the Wests Tigers, as well as the New Zealand men's team which stunned Australia in last year's Pacific Championships final. "The Broncos are one of rugby league's great clubs and it will be an honour to step into the role of head coach," Maguire said in a statement. "The Broncos organisation has a high expectation on everything it does. "It's built a great history and shown the strength of what a club can be and what it can mean to fans. "Playing my part in the great vision of what the Broncos stand for is the exciting part for me." Maguire submitted a presentation to the NSWRL board on Friday but made no mention of his interest in the Broncos role, according to reports. The hunt for Maguire's replacement will not start until NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden, who is on a three-week overseas holiday, returns. Former coaches including Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler could be in line for a recall into the position. Other contenders include Paul McGregor, John Cartwright, Trent Barrett, Michael Ennis, Brad Arthur and Nathan Brown.

'Menace' making it 'impossible' for Maguire to snub

Haumole Olakau'atu is fast getting to the stage where NSW coach Michael Maguire will find it impossible not to give him a State of Origin jumper. Olakau'atu was outstanding in Manly's come-from-behind win over the Eels, breaking the line several times and getting away some smart offloads. Had it not been for a couple of touches of class from the giant back-rower, it could have been a different story after Parra got off to a good start. The 25-year-old Olakau'atu is enjoying his best start to a season in the NRL and Anthony Seibold has brought a new consistency to his game. Maguire is looking for fresh blood and the Manly menace certainly fits the bill on current form.

Calls for Maguire to be axed amid NSW talk

Kiwi league legend Tony Kemp has demanded the New Zealand Rugby League sack Michael Maguire as national coach immediately if he gets the Blues State of Origin job.The highly respected Maguire is the hot favourite to replace Brad Fittler as NSW coach but says he is committed to continuing with the Kiwis and helping them through to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.Maguire's stance has infuriated the outspoken Kemp, who went as far as saying the NZRL should never appoint an Australian coach again."We should never have an Australian coaching the Kiwis and then allowed to take an Aussie job such as Origin," Kemp told Wide World of Sports."The Kiwis is the pinnacle, not a stepping stone for the Australian pathway system."Kemp is also angry at the way the 16 Aussie-based NRL clubs continue to pillage New Zealand for players."Australia are so concerned about their own pathways that State of Origin has now become Country of Origin," he said."The NRL know how important Kiwi players are to its competition and that's the reason it allows the clubs to waltz into New Zealand and do a hit-and-run mission on kids."We aren't even in the fight to retain 'Kiwi' hearts in our game or our 'Kiwi' way that has been built since 1907."I can see a time when New Zealand becomes a second-tier nation because the island nations are winning the hearts and minds battle over NZ and Aussie."The NRL needs to grow some balls and take over our game in NZ for the sake of the grassroots game."We are a tournament-based competition that promotes scouting and also a pathway for sacked NRL coaches to get back into the game."

Left-field answer to almighty Fittler headache

If the Blues pick their team on form next week, then Kotoni Staggs will have to come close to getting a centre spot.Staggs - who played one game for New South Wales last year - was outstanding in the Broncos' 20-12 win at Shark Park.The strongly built centre scored a try, had a hand in another and ran for nearly 200 metres, winning his battle with another former Blue, Siosifa Talakai.Staggs has been strong all season in the new-look Broncos and has the toughness and 'whatever it takes' attitude necessary to be a success at Origin football.With the Blues struggling for go-forward and penetration in game one, they could go a lot worse than giving Staggs a recall for game two in Brisbane.

Tedesco, Addo-Carr bounce back from Origin flop

Two under-pressure Blues bounced back to cement their spots for Origin two in Sunday's thriller in Gosford.Roosters fullback James Tedesco has been copping it from all quarters after a below-par game in Adelaide but bounced back to his best with a two-try effort against the Bulldogs.Winger Josh Addo-Carr, who got few chances in Origin I, showed how devastating he can be when given room to move, emulating Tedesco's feat with two tries.The Blues HAVE to make changes for game two - but these two blokes ensured they won't be on the chopping block with five-star performances in Gosford.

NSW rocked after bombshell Latrell Mitchell news

New South Wales star Latrell Mitchell has sensationally been ruled out of State of Origin Game I after suffering a calf injury during training. Mitchell was one of the definite selections from Brad Fittler this year having been in remarkable form for the high-flying Rabbitohs to start the 2023 season.However, the Rabbitohs fullback has gone down with a calf injury during Blues training and has been ruled out of the game on Wednesday. There is no timeline on his return with NRL Physio Brien Seeney claimed a low grade calf injury will rule him out for 1-3 weeks, which could see him return for Game II.Penrith ace Stephen Cricthon will come into the centres for Mitchell and Bulldogs' Matt Burtton will enter the squad as 18th man. This followes Rabbitohs teammate Campbell Graham also pulling out of the squad.“Mitchell sustained the injury at training and scans later revealed a strain which would prevent him playing,” a statement from NSW Rugby League read. “Mitchell will be replaced by 18th man Stephen Crichton and did not travel with the team to Adelaide today.”Crichton moves into the centres having played all three games last year in the series loss. The NRL world was quick to react to the Blues' devastating blow as they lose one of their most in-form stars only a few days out from the clash.

Graham set for Blues call-up

Campbell Graham has given Blues coach Brad Fittler no choice - he must be the first centre picked for Origin One.The long-striding Souths star was outstanding in the Rabbitohs' 32-6 demolition of Brisbane, scoring three tries and setting up another.Graham now has eight tries in eight games this season and is playing the best football of his career in the red-hot Bunnies backline.No centre in the NRL has scored as many - and Graham has also been outstanding in defence, saving tries with last-ditch tackles.Graham played for Australia in the World Cup and looked very comfortable in the green and gold - now it's time to blood him in Origin football against the Maroons.

NSW Blues shredded by fans after unveiling new State of Origin jerseys

Rugby league fans have taken to social media to mock the new State of Origin jerseys unveiled by New South Wales this week. The Blues showed off their new-look strips on Wednesday after announcing a stunning $8 million naming rights sponsorship deal with banking giants, Westpac.It's understood the sponsorship agreement - which includes Westpac's iconic 'W' logo splashed across the front of the jerseys - is worth around $8 million, or $2 million per season for the NSWRL.Blues stars Tom Trbojevic and Emma Tonegato posed for photos in the men's and women's jerseys at a launch at NSWRL’s Centre of Excellence inside Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday, with the pair arriving in a Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.As part of the new deal which sees Brydens Lawyers replaced as the Blues' major sponsor, Westpac has also agreed to donate $5000 for every NSW try scored in both the men’s and women’s series, with proceeds going towards the rescue service.“Westpac and NSWRL are two organisations that are such huge parts of the lives of Australians across the state,” NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said at Wednesday's launch.

Tedesco looks to Cameron Smith for inspiration in Origin II

The man that terrorised NSW for years will now provide the Blues with much needed inspiration heading into game two. Cameron Smith was the linchpin to Queensland's dominance which saw the Maroons capture 11 out of 12 series wins from 2006-2017, and NSW captain James Tedesco concedes if his side is to level the series, he will need to emulate the Queensland great's penchant for "ref whispering" in order to keep the Blues on level footing with the match officials. Tedesco told The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW must create its own opportunities to get fast play-the-balls but communicating with the ref is also crucial in trying to swing the match their way. "I definitely didn't think about talking to the refs before I became a captain," Tedesco said. "Everyone knows Cam Smith was so good at it; he had a knack for picking the right time and talking to the refs in the right way. It did feel like he could influence the referee. "I think I might have to. [Klein] didn't give a penalty for 60 minutes [in Origin I]. He was just letting the game flow, but you can't just let them lay all over you.

Tariq Sims future still a mystery

Tariq Sims' future remains up in the air - but there is no shortage of interest in the NSW State of Origin back-rower.Four of the most successful clubs in the NRL in recent years - the Panthers, Storm, Roosters and Souths - are keeping a close eye on Sims' negotiation process.None can afford the big money Sims was on this year at the Dragons - but all realise the big fella brings plenty both on and off the field and if the price is right, they are looking at ways to fit him into their rosters.

Tense Maroons trounced by cool Blues

Players from the rival NSW and Queensland camps painted a vastly different picture of the build-up to Origin I once the dust settled. The Blues, despite being under massive weight of expectation as favourites and under-achievers last season, had a relaxed, enjoyable time, in keeping with their laid-back coach Brad Fittler. Queensland, on the other hand, felt tense and under pressure, with their coach Paul Green desperate to make a good impression in his Origin debut back at his old home in Townsville. You could see from the kick-off that the Blues were more on the pace, stress-free and ready to play - whether that was because of the contrasting lead-ups, we will never know. Now suddenly, it's the Maroons under all the pressure to perform in game two after their humiliating performance in game one, with the Blues knowing even a Queensland win has NSW still well-placed, with the decider set for Sydney.