BLUES SEAL SERIES
TOM SMITH Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Thursday
NEW SOUTH WALES 26
QUEENSLAND 6
OLIVIA KERNICK powered New South Wales to a series-sealing win over Queensland at a rain-soaked Allianz Stadium.
In sodden conditions that placed a premium on ball control, Kernick grabbed a try in each half, set up another and registered a whopping 236 running metres in a display that underlined why she’s the reigning Dally M Medallist.
The Blues now hold the shield for the first time since women’s Origin expanded to a three-game series.
The Maroons lost star fullback Tamika Upton to a hamstring complaint in the second half, while Blues centre Jessica Sergis succumbed to a neck injury at half-time.
Upton scored the first try in the opening exchanges, but that was as much joy as the northerners had all evening in front of a dedicated Sydney crowd braving the downpour.