Origin recall for Raymond Terrace league legend Olivia Higgins

WOMEN’S State of Origin fever has gripped the Port Stephens region with Raymond Terrace golden girl Olivia Higgins a key figure in the 2026 NSW Sky Blues rugby league squad.

The Newcastle Knights international hooker gets another opportunity to impress in the Origin arena after missing the 2025 series that was claimed by the Blues.

Origin-winning NSW coach John Strange has named a 20-player squad to take on Queensland this Thursday night in the opening clash at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

Higgins will play second fiddle to Sydney Roosters number nine Keeley Nizza but is tipped to make an impact off the interchange bench with her guile around the rucks and copybook defence.

She will be joined in the Blues squad by power running forward and Knights team mate Yasmin Meakes.

NSW selectors have named a well-balanced squad to tackle the Maroons that is more than capable of defending the prestigious Shield.

Game Two will be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, 14 May to kick-off the NRL’s Magic Round and Game Three at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium on Thursday May 28.

The NSW Blues Women’s squad is: Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels), Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans) ,Jess Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters) captain; Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters), Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters), Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters), Yasmin Meakes (Newcastle Knights), Tiana Penitani-Gray (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks), Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters), Keeley Nizza (Sydney Roosters), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights), Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels), Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons), Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters), Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters) and Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks).

By Chris KARAS