Rachael Pearson is tipped to don the sky blues' no.7 jersey after being named in NSW's initial squad for this year's State of Origin series.
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Parramatta's Maddie Studdon - who captained the Blues to a series win in 2018 - was a surprise omission from the 24-player squad named on Tuesday, paving the way for the Dragons halfback to make her women's Origin debut. It is understood that coach Kyle Hilder is keen to have an all-Dragons starting spine, with Emma Tonegato at fullback, Pearson and Taliah Fuimaono in the halves, and Keeley Davis at hooker.
"That would be very cool. I've obviously played the last seven weeks of footy with those girls in the spine so we've obviously made connections. And it would be good to take that to the next level that is State of Origin," Pearson said.
"But it hasn't been discussed yet, I'll just wait and see what happens. We haven't got together as a squad yet but I'm sure there will be conversations about it. But I'm just looking forward to getting together as a team."
Pearson was among 12 Red V talents talented to be named in NSW's extended squad for the one-off Origin clash at GIO Stadium in June, alongside Tonegato, Pearson, Fuimaono, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Teagan Berry, Jaime Chapman, Quincy Dodd, Talei Holmes, Renee Targett and Holli Wheeler.
The selections are just reward for the dozen after an impressive NRLW campaign, where St George Illawarra finished runners-up.
"It's amazing. We worked really hard and that obviously that shows in nearly half the squad selected being Dragons, it's really good for the club," Pearson said.
"I got the call this week from Kylie and it was very overwhelming and exciting, and I'm really looking forward to it. It still doesn't feel real though. I think it will finally sink in once we get together as a team.
"Coming off playing in the NRLW, I think everyone's still on a high and buzzing from the footy we played. Hopefully we can take that into our Origin camps and it should be a good game."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
