First two-game women’s State of Origin has more on the line than ever | Megan Maurice

NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons hard to separate ahead of upgraded Origin which sets the scene for expanded NRLW

Thursday night kicks off a big year for women’s rugby league. For the first time, women’s State of Origin becomes more than a standalone game, before an expanded NRLW featuring 10 teams takes flight next month.

While the upgrade from one Origin game to two is an improvement on previous years, it has left plenty of players and onlookers unsatisfied. New South Wales prop Millie Boyle has been particularly outspoken about the decision, saying a two-game series “seems ridiculous” and “doesn’t really feel fair”.

Follow the 2023 Women’s State of Origin series opener in Parramatta with Guardian Australia’s minute-by-minute live blog. Kick-off on Thursday night is 7.45pm AEST