Rookie sensation Jesse Southwell is set to become the youngest player to play for NSW after she was named to the Blues’ squad for the first leg of Women’s Origin on June 1.
Should she appear in Game 1, she would eclipse Brad Fittler, who was aged just 18 years and 114 days when he made his Blues bow in 1990. Southwell will be 18 and 109 days old.
The Newcastle halfback is the standout among six rookies in the Blues squad, with other young guns such as winger Teagan Berry, a star of under-19s Origin, and new Sharks signings Brooke Anderson and Ellie Johnston also in the mix.
Tahliah Fuimiano and Jaime Chapman, both of whom won the World Cup late last year, have been named for the first time at Origin level as part of a 11 who featured in the victorious Jillaroos team.
Plenty of big hitters from that team will return, including Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, Kezie Apps, Kennedy Cherrington, Olivia Kernick and Emma Tonegato.
Millie Boyle, who missed the World Cup, is back for Origin, though her Knights teammate Caitlan Johnston tops the list of injured players who will miss out. Hollie Wheeler and Hannah Southwell, Jesse’s sister, are also long-term injured.
Kirra Dibb, one of last year’s standouts, has been overlooked and Sam Bremner, who starred at the World Cup, has retired from rep football.
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