Thursday’s forecast of Brisbane’s clear skies has made players and officials optimistic that the women’s rugby league will be a new era in the first game of women’s country of origin this year.
Last year’s series played three games for the first time, with unprecedented TV ratings and record crowds, but each conflict was affected by bad weather, hoping for greater attendance in 2025.
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Maroons forward Jess Elliston said that while the heavy rains showed fans now working on the women’s game, an example of a near-automatic crowd in the second game at Newcastle last year.
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"Even if we were booed like all shit, it was the craziest atmosphere I've ever been to, you can't hear anyone," she said. "My chest rattles on the boo, it's so cool."
Last year’s Suncorp Stadium opener attracted just over 25,000, setting a record for a series that lasted only three weeks. It was a memorable second match when 17.6mm of rain was poured into McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
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Elliston said it was frustrating when players saw predictions for each game in the series, but the consistent appearance rate confirmed the ex-work of her ex-Titans the Titans, former Jillaroo Karyn Murphy.
"Again, the rain (expected), I tell you, (I think) 'oh, this rain needs to be missed'," Elliston said. "It got there, but it was just because people were trying to achieve that."
Channel 9's three broadcasts have an average audience of more than 1 million, up 67.8% in the previous year. For comparison, there are no men's NRL games on Channel 9, so this year has reached the same number, and even the Las Vegas opener has attracted only 715,000 viewers.
Channel 9 is streaming a documentary about the rise of women’s country of origin on Wednesday night, including a profile of NSW winger Jaime Chapman – whose runaway attempt was the highlight of a match last year – and fireman Lauren Brown, who kicked the ball to score a Queensland victory in the second match.
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Australian Rugby League Committee Chairman Peter V'landys will begin negotiations on a new broadcast agreement this year. "I'm proud of what they do in the community, I'm proud of the work, family and playing they juggle. I think they are inspiring and we want to use them as much as possible to inspire the future."
The program also was interviewed by NSW player Corban Baxter, who was unavailable after knee surgery in July. Last year, she was left out by half her partner, Rachael Pearson, giving Bruce – no longer “sky blue” due to trademark complaints from A-League club Sydney Football Club – a brand new look led by new coach John John Strange.
Tiana Penitani Gray is primarily an external defender who was named No. 6 along with Newcastle's 20-year-old central defender Jesse Southwell. Abbi Church in Parramatta is expected to make its debut at the defender.
Another eighth of Kirra Dibb, utility Jocelyn Kelleher and last year's defender Emma Verran (Nee Tonegato) were all named on the 20-player team, which sparked interest in the team's game. The last 18 will be confirmed one hour before the kickoff.
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Forward Kezie Apps said the Blues drew some momentum from last year’s pain when they were winning the series with a second game-leading lead. But with a new coach among strangers and four debutants, she is convinced that they won't live in the past.
"It's still painful for some of us. But, honestly, it's a new feeling, it's a new feeling, it's a new feeling, we have some new girls on the team," she said. "The spine has been blending well together, and we have Abbi as the defender, and she made her debut and I'm so excited for her."
Apps, 34, signed a new four-year contract with Wests Tigers this week, in more than a decade her state debut. She said she has witnessed the game’s accelerated progress over the past few years, but the opening game at Suncorp Stadium last year has still had a significant impact on her.
"It was a very special moment to see that stadium was packed with people and they were there to support women, which was so special," she said. "I've been walking for a long time and I've seen progress, I've seen people's perspectives change and people's perceptions of women's rugby league. It's definitely a "pinch me moment."