Blues lose star forward to injury as debutant named

Sydney Roosters prop Rima Butler has been named for her NSW Blues debut after Tiana Penitani Gray was ruled out with a knee injury.

Penitani Gray played the whole match in Origin I but coach John Strange had flagged a knee issue post-game.

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“Tiana injured her knee about 25 minutes into the game,” he said.

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“She didn’t want to come off. We’re going to have to get her scanned.”

Kezie Apps will move to the starting side from the bench while Hannah Southwell will join her sister Jesse in the squad, and is part of the extended squad.

Hannah Southwell hasn’t played for NSW since 2022 when the side won 20-14.

Isabelle Kelly also injured her ankle during Origin I, after a tackle from Shenae Ciesiolka which Strange had said “looked like a hip-drop”.

Kelly had her ankle heavily taped over her boot but said it “should be sweet” post-game.

The NSW Blues women won the first match 11-6 against Queensland at McDonald Jones Stadium and will now travel to enemy territory attempting to retain the shield.

Game two is at Suncorp Stadium while Origin III will be at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Watch the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.

The Blues won last year’s series 2-1, losing the final match and missing out on a clean sweep.

NSW Blues Women’s squad

1. Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels) 2. Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans) 3. Jess Sergis (Sydney Roosters) 4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters) 5. Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters) 6. Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters) 7. Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos) 8. Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters) 9. Keeley Nizza (Sydney Roosters) 10. Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) 11. Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers) 12. Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights) 13. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters) 14. Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights) 15. Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels) 16. Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters) 17. Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons) 18. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters) 19. Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) 20. Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra Dragons) Coach: John Strange