Here’s tonight’s match report from Jack Snape:

Now we hear from the winning captain Ali Brigginshaw.

“To the NRL for allowing us and giving us a three-game series. We’ve wanted this for a lot of years and finally we’ve been able to achieve it, so thank you. To Kylie, Iz and Kez, to be part of these two teams, it’s so special, it’s always a privilege and a moment to play against each other. So hold your heads up, NSW Blues. To my team, what an effort! It’s been so many years where we haven’t quite started well and, tonight, we finally got the jump on the start. Super proud of every single one of you. And to Townsville, once again, you showed up, you got us home. Thank you!”

NSW co-captains Isabelle Kelly and Kezie Apps are on the stage now, they still look very emotional, but Kelly speaks with eloquence and heart.

“I want to thank the Queensland Maroons, you guys deserved that tonight, you played with a lot of heart and I just have to say it was all yours. To my Sky Blues, win or lose, no matter what, I’m so proud of every single individual and I love to be part of this group. I bleed blue for you guys and I know you do for me. Our staff, our coaches, I’m so proud of every single person who’s part of that crew. Lastly, I want to thank the crowd for continually showing up these last three games. What we do wouldn’t be possible without you guys. So thank you so much for putting your support into women’s rugby league.”

And let’s not forget that flying 90m intercept try from Jaime Chapman

While we’re waiting for the Shield presentation, why not reflect on that last try from Rapana?

Tarryn Aiken is full of emotion as well – she can’t believe they have pulled it off.

“It was so hard out there, it was the hardest game I’ve ever played. That second half, I was just trying to hang on. We made a big point during the week to work on cutting down our defensive errors. It got us there in the end.”

Plenty of emotion from the Blues’ only try scorer Jaime Chapman, you can see how much this means to her.

“I’m so proud of our girls. We had such a good series and I think we left a lot out on that field. We’re going to come back bigger, stronger and better next year. Good work, Queensland. You know, you gave it to us and you were better today.”

66 mins: More great intent from NSW to start their set – they look like a completely different team. They’re putting up some good kicks, but Paki is fielding them with ease over on the left wing. Johnston steals the ball in a one-on-one tackle, but then she knocks it on.

64 mins: A line break from NSW looks like it might spark some magic, but Pearson decides to run herself rather than kick and loses the ball in the process. Queensland are on the march again and the Queenslander (aka Free the Pug) chant goes up around the ground.

62 mins: NSW looked buoyed by those points and start their set with much more confidence than we’ve seen from them so far this game. Apps makes some great post-contact metres and it’s a completed set from them, which has been rare in this game. Queensland still have determination to score, they don’t want to just defend this total and they play a good attacking set and chase the kick, but Tonegato is under it safely.

60 mins: The Blues have had to do so much defending tonight and it’s not getting any easier for them. They go close to scoring, but Tonegato strips the ball out – the referee rules it was not in the act of scoring, so it’s penalty to Queensland. We then get Chapman’s intercept and NSW score against the run of play.

57 mins: Pelite starts Queensland’s set with a great run and then Brown has an incredible line break, making plenty of metres before eventually being pulled down, but it puts the Maroons in great position once again.

55 mins: A Queensland hand on the pass sets off an incredible series of events and NSW goes achingly close to scoring a number of times, but Queensland’s defence will not rest for a second and the Maroons get the scrum feed.

53 mins: Chapman makes a really good run at the line, but incredible defence from Queensland forces her to the line and she knocks on as she tries desperately to get the ball down in the corner. Queensland motor back down the field looking for more points and NSW is running out of time to put up some fight in this game. Johnston gets a great charge down at the end of the set, Aiken knocks on and NSW get the ball back, but time is ticking away.

51 mins: More good field position for Queensland – what can they do with it? They look to score through Chelsea Lenarduzzi, but she loses the ball before she gets it down and it’s a let off for NSW. They move down the field, but they’re looking flat footed and Queensland are relentless in defence. A penalty for a second effort in the tackle gives NSW a chance at the line.

49 mins: Kemp makes a great hit up and gets the offload away – a really good moment from her. Pearson puts in a decent grubber, but Upton is all over it and NSW again can’t find any points. Brigginshaw puts in another early kick, but Clydsdale hits her after the kick and Queensland get a penalty and Clydsdale is on report.

47 mins: Queensland are in great position and NSW look rattled, but the Maroons drop the slippery ball. The ref rules it a knock on and the Maroons challenge it – worth a shot even just to let them catch their breath before starting their defensive set. The bunker agrees that it’s a knock on and the Blues take the scrum feed. Baxter looks to lose the ball in the tackle, but it’s ruled a strip by Queensland and NSW get the penalty.

45 mins: Kemp gets herself in great position to break through the line, but she can’t hold on to the ball and it’s yet another dropped ball error from her – she was outstanding in Game 1, but hasn’t had the same impact tonight. Queensland push back down field and Robinson gets some very good post-contact metres to give the Maroons some momentum. Then Kemp gives away a penalty – it is not her night at all.

43 mins: NSW gets a penalty and they really need some points now, but the ball is slippery and every pass is risky. Kemp tries to spark something with a strong hit up and Kernick nearly finds some space with a big dummy and they get another penalty.

41 mins: The rain is relentless – there was barely a blip on the radar before the game, so it’s quite surprising. Queensland have gained even more momentum after that penalty goal and they’re putting huge amounts of pressure on in defence.

39 mins: For those who don’t know, it’s only a 40/30 required in the women’s game, but Brigginshaw got the 40/20 anyway! NSW immediately give away a penalty and the Maroons give them a pat on the back to rub it in – that would have been enough to get them a sin bin in last night’s match!

37 mins: We’re back for the second half, with NSW getting first use of the football. They complete their set, which is a huge improvement and get straight into defence. Queensland keep up their steady brand of football and again kick early – Brigginshaw picks up a 40/20!

What was your highlight from the first half? Aside from those two tries, I think mine was when the crowd started the Queenslander chant and my daughter asked if they were saying “Free the Pugs”. You can drop me a line via email or on X – the links are at the top of the page.

The second try was this opportunistic pounce from Robinson – it was poor from NSW and the Maroons made them pay.

Well, while you catch your breath at half-time, let’s relive those tries. First up we have this great effort from Evania Pelite in the very first minute of the game from an early kick.

34 mins: NSW give away another penalty and they look like they’re in trouble, but Manzelmann drops the ball to save them from more danger. They play with some good speed and ball work down the left wing, but Davis knocks the ball on in the play the ball and it’s yet another error.

32 mins: This has been a very forgettable half for NSW and will be hoping to get to half time without any further damage. They defend with plenty of heart after the try, but it’s their attack that has really been causing them problems.

28 mins: NSW lose the ball, but there’s a push in the tackle the referee doesn’t see. NSW uses their captain’s challenge and Rapana is penalised for the push and NSW get the ball back. The Maroons give away another penalty in the tackle straight away, but they put huge defence on Sergis on the first tackle and drag her into touch over the sideline.

26 mins: A penalty for Rapana being offside gives NSW the ball 10m out, but another error from Kemp with a drop on a simple pass gives the ball straight back to Queensland. They need to find some focus – the Maroons haven’t been down the Blues end in some time, but they look steadier and unbothered by the NSW possession. Aiken attempts a 40/30 but the ball stops dead next to the sideline.

24 mins: An offload from Kemp for the Blues sets up another good attacking set, but when Kemp gets the ball back she loses it in the tackle and the Maroons get the ball back. NSW have now managed to get a decent amount of possession and field position, but they need to capitalise and get points on the board. They force another error from Queensland – is this their opportunity?

22 mins: Pearson finishes the set with a perfectly weighted and timed kick that dribbles out over the sideline. NSW sets up a strong defence and they force a mistake from Weale who drops the ball in the tackle.

20 mins: NSW can’t take advantage of that penalty however, but they drop the ball early in the set and it’s ruled a knock on. Queensland get the scrum feed and NSW will need to work hard to keep them down in their own territory. Elliston has a great hit up and the Maroons follow it up with yet another early kick, which NSW manage to pick up and power down the field.

18 mins: That was the best set NSW has had so far tonight. It looks like there should be a penalty for offside by Queensland but the ref doesn’t agree and NSW just gets the scrum feed for a Maroons knock on. It’s another good set from NSW and late in the tackle count, Rapana hits Apps high and NSW get a penalty.

16 mins: Another set for Queensland and they start very strongly. Aiken puts in a kick on the first tackle for Upton, who very nearly picks it up and scores, but Tonegato pounces on it and then forces a penalty to get NSW in better field position.

14 mins: It’s all been Queensland so far – they have some nice, quick ball movement, but shift it a little too quickly and the ball goes into touch over the sideline. NSW try to build some momentum as they power down the field. Clydsdale has a strong hit up and gets her arms free for the offload, which sets up a great looking set, but a forward pass stops them in their tracks.

12 mins: Queensland make another move to the line and there’s a great line break from Aiken, but NSW manage to shut her down. Johnston makes a huge tackle to stamp her authority on the set, before Aiken puts in a great grubber kick, which Chapman collects, but she can’t get out of the in goal and it’s another line drop out.

10 mins: NSW have not looked confident so far and they need to regroup very quickly if they’re going to have a shot in this match. Queensland appear to make things a bit easier by losing the ball in the tackle, but they challenge the decision and everything is coming up Queensland – it’s ruled that Apps has stripped the ball and knocked on.

8 mins: Now it’s the Maroons in good attacking position, this has been a real end-to-end game so far. Brigginshaw puts in a great kick at the end of the set and the chasers drag Penitani back into the in goal and force a line drop out. NSW compounds the repeat set by kicking it out on the full and Queensland get a penalty 10m out.

6 mins: Good field position for NSW and they look to capitalise straight away. A beautifully weighted kick from Baxter sits up in the in goal and Upton has to play it at and knock it into touch in goal, so NSW get the repeat set. But Tonegato throws a terrible pass that Queensland intercept and then NSW give away a penalty.

4 mins: Strong defence from NSW right off the bat and they dash right up Queensland. Brigginshaw takes an early kick and it pays off, as Tonegato looks very tentative on the pick up and then loses the slippery ball in the tackle, which leads to that Queensland try. Now Queensland lose the ball in a tackle and NSW have a chance to attack.

And we’re off! NSW have kicked off and the decider is underway.

The Welcome to Country and anthem have been completed and that rain is getting a little heavier – very much not a vibe. Kick off is imminent and let’s hope that scares the rain away.

The teams are entering the field – not a very warm reception for the Blues unsurprisingly, but Queensland’s entry almost blasts the (metaphorical) roof off. And I very much spoke too soon about the rain – it has started sprinkling, but hopefully that’s the extent of it!

The weather looks great up there – no signs of that awful rain from Game 2. It’s a delightful 23.7 degrees up in Townsville right now and it seems like it will stay dry throughout the game.

That parochial Queensland crowd is going to be LOUD tonight! There have been some seriously impressive women’s Origin crowds this year and it’s making very excited for what we can expect in the NRLW.

If you’re still feeling a little out of the loop and unsure what to expect tonight, the ever-reliable Jack Snape has got you covered. Grab a snack and get caught up with his preview of this historic decider.

Not too many changes in those team lists from Game 2 – Queensland have made two changes, bringing in Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Sophie Holyman on to the bench for Destiny Brill and Sienna Lofipo, who were both ruled out through injury. NSW have made only one change, with Jakiya Whitfield named as the reserve for Kirra Dibb.