JILLAROOS rugby league hooker Olivia Higgins has spent time in camp with the NSW Women’s Origin squad.
The Raymond Terrace golden girl was named in the 20-player Sky Blues squad that began their first week-long camp at Sydney Olympic Park last week, before travelling to Brisbane for the series opener against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
However Higgins, who helped the Jillaroos thump the England Lionesses by a record 90-4 in their historic Test match in Las Vegas earlier this year, will sit out the game one clash against the Maroons.
Selectors opted to hand the number nine jumper to premiership-winning Sydney Roosters forward Keeley Davis.
Despite being overlooked for the opener, the Newcastle Knights star remains a key figure for new Blues’ women’s coach John Strange, with game two to be played at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Thursday 15 May and game three in Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday 29 May.
The Sky Blues have named a powerful squad in their quest to regain the series trophy.
Since the Interstate Challenge was given Origin status in 2018, the Maroons hold the honours 4-3 after lifting the Shield in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.
NSW were triumphant in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Higgins made her international debut for the Jillaroos during last year’s Pacific Championships series where she performed strongly in victories over the Kiwi Ferns and Papua New Guinea Orchids.
She also was a stand out during the Knight’s 2024 NRLW campaign after earlier making her Origin debut with the NSW Sky Blues.
The 32-year-old turned in non-stop performances to help the Knights reach the semi finals and is set for another big season on the club and representative scene.
By Chris KARAS
