As the game grows Friday’s encounter in Canberra between the Blues and Maroons has taken on greater significance
A win in this match has also increased in importance since the announcement that next year’s series will jump from one game to two. This means that in the fairly likely event of a tied series, the shield will be awarded to the previous year’s winner, providing a significant grasp on the balance of power to the winner of this year’s standalone match.
This series also sees the Origin debuts of two Olympic gold medalists in Evania Pelite and Emma Tonegato . Tonegato was a revelation for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRLW season, with speed, timing and determination that redefined the fullback position.
Hilder herself has only recently retired from an on-field role – last turning out for the Blues in the 2020 loss to Queensland at the age of 44. She picked up the coaching reins the following year and has again secured the job for 2022, with unfinished business to attend to after a heartbreaking finish last year.Photograph: Darren England/AAP
It has been a landmark year for women’s rugby league. After a 491-day hiatus between the third and fourth seasons of the NRLW, this year will see the fifth season kick off in August – just four months after the players last hung up their boots.
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