Dominant Kernick guides NSW to claim State of Origin series in game two

Jarred Cross Published May 15, 2025 at 11.00pm (AWST)

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Olivia Kernick of the Blues (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during Women's State of Origin game two. Image: Dan Himbrechts (AAP).

Reigning Dally M medallist Olivia Kernick has steered NSW to State of Origin series triumph with a 26-6 win in game two at Sydney on Thursday night.

The duel Indigenous and Māori All Star crossed over twice and dominated play in the middle of the ground to help her side claim the shield from Queensland.

Kernick, who returned to representative football for the Indigenous All Stars and her fourth Origin series in 2025 after controversially going overlooked for the Jillaroos earlier this year, lodged game highs with 242 running metres, and 99 post-contact at lock.

The 24-year-old also led the Blues for tackles with 35 across the 70 minutes.

NSW claimed bragging rights with game three in Newcastle in a fortnight's time to spare, notching their first three-match series after Queensland ran over their rivals 22-6 in last year's decider at Townsville.

The Blues went one-nil up with a 32-12 win in game one at Suncorp.

The Maroons got on the board early when 2023 Dally Medallist and Indigenous All Star Tamika Upton's origin no try decision was overturned after grounding the ball when Kernick couldn't force a line drop out in the fifth minute.

It was all Blues from that point on.

Gamilaroi winger Jaime Chapman went close to squaring the ledger before Simaima Taufa broke the line to tie things up mid-way through the first half.

Kernick gave put her side's noses in front with a superb individual effort just before the break.

JAIME CHAPMAN ðŸ"¥#Origin pic.twitter.com/ooEHH4IB8H
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) May 15, 2025

By the 10th minute of the second half, Kernick had 50 more metres gained (147 at this point) with ball in hand than the next best on the park.

Game one debutante Jayme Fressard helped take the margin past double digits diving into the left corner, before Chapman showed her pace and footwork for the Blues' fourth on the opposite side with 25 minutes on the clock.

JAIME CHAPMAN ðŸ"¥#Origin pic.twitter.com/ooEHH4IB8H

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) May 15, 2025.

Kernick wasn't done, steaming past three Maroons defenders close to the line to seal the result.

"I'm so stoked and so proud of the girls out there. We've worked so hard and we definitely deserve it," Kernick told Nine's coverage shortly after the siren.

The dead rubber moves to Newcastle on May 29.