Sharks stars Tiana Penitani Gray, Emma Verran and Ellie Johnston have been chosen in the NSW Sky Blues squad for the opening women's State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium on May 1.
Verran (née Tonegato) and Penitani Gray are State of Origin veterans who played all three games in the NSW backline last year, with the Sky Blues going down to Queensland 2-1 after winning Game One convincingly.
Penitani Gray has been named vice-captain, supporting skipper Isabelle Kelly.
Consistent prop Johnston could finally earn her maiden Origin cap after being included in the extended squad for the past two seasons.
The trio's selection comes on the back of a standout NRLW campaign in which the Sharks reached the grand final against the John Strange-coached Roosters. Strange will take charge of the Sky Blues this season.
"Having the six-week training block was a great opportunity to get to know all the players and see how they combined and worked together," Strange said.
"All 30 players were outstanding over this period making it a very difficult decision to cut the squad down to 20.
"The players who are selected for Game One certainly have earned their position and I can't wait for them to take the field on 1 May."
Cronulla's Sky Blues representatives could come up against club teammate Georgia Hannaway, who is in the mix to make her Origin debut after being named in Queensland's 20-player squad announced last week.
The NSW squad was announced today at a special function for the players and their families at the Sydney Opera House. They will begin their week-long Game One camp tomorrow at Sydney Olympic Park.
2025 WESTPAC NSW BLUES WOMEN'S SQUAD (in alphabetical order)
Game One, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Thursday 1 May
Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Shaylee Bent (Gold Coast Titans), Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans), Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels), Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels), Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights), Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters), Kirra Dibb (North Queensland Cowboys), Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters), Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters), Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights), Simaima Taufa (Canberra Raiders), Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers), Emma Verran (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks). Coach: John Strange.
