RAYMOND Terrace rugby league icon Olivia Higgins is eyeing off a rare Women’s Origin clean sweep with the triumphant NSW Sky Blues team.
The international hooker forward played another prominent role in the Sky Blues’ thrilling 14-10 victory over Queensland last week as they retained the Origin Shield by clinching the series at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Higgins showed her guile around the rucks as NSW gained a distinct advantage with their passing game and resilient defence, in an entertaining start to the NRL Magic Round.
John Strange’s Sky Blues can claim a unique clean sweep with another victory in the third women’s Origin clash next Thursday 28 May, at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The crafty Higgins provided slick service to skilful NSW halves Jesse Southwell and Jocelyn Kelleher and shared the hooking duties with Keeley Nizza, who started the match on the bench.
Nizza made an immediate impact when she entered the contest before the break – darting over for a crucial try to give the Sky Blues a vital 8-0 lead.
Southwell, 21, a Kotara Bears junior product, turned in a Player of the Match performance in the number seven jumper to enhance her reputation as one of the game’s leading playmakers.
After missing the Blues’ Origin-winning campaign last season, the capable Higgins has proved an asset on her return – shifting the momentum in both matches with her powerful surges from dummy half and tightening up the middle with her no-nonsense defence.
It has been a series to savour for the Newcastle Knights number nine, who revealed she was “stoked to be in the 17” and would do whatever the team needed to play her part in achieving Origin success.
By Chris KARAS
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