Queensland force women's Origin decider with late win

2024 Women's State of Origin: Game two

New South Wales (6): 10

Tries: Davis, Penitani Goals: Pearson

Queensland (0): 11

Tries: Ciesiolka, Aiken Goals: Brown Drop-goal: Brown

Lauren Brown's late field goal kept Queensland's Women's State of Origin hopes alive as they took the series to the final game.

Brown scored with two minutes to go as Queensland beat New South Wales in front of a record crowd of 25,782 in Newcastle.

Queensland trailed 6-0 at half-time after Sky Blues hooker Keely Davis put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute and Rachel Pearson converted, but the Maroons fought back to snatch victory.

Shenae Ciesiolka reduced the hosts' lead to 6-4, but NSW swiftly hit back when Penitani slammed down in the left corner only for Pearson to miss her kick.

The visitors then drew the scores level with nine minutes as Tarryn Aiken went over and Brown successfully converted.

This is the first year that the women's Origin has matched the men's and taken the form of a three-game series. It will be decided in Townsville, Queensland, on 27 June.

New South Wales: Tonegato, Chapman, Sergis, Kelly (capt), Penitani, Baxter, Pearson, Elliott, Higgins, Johnston, Apps, Clydsdale, Kernick.

Interchanges: Davis, Fuimaono, Kemp, Togatuki.

Queensland: Upton, Robinson, Ciesiolka, Pelite, Paki, Aiken, Brigginshaw (capt), Mato, Brown, Elliston, Rapana, Teitzel, Lofipo.

Interchanges: Brill, Manzelmann, Weale, Joseph.