Westpac Sky Blues centre Jess Sergis has a simple wish for Game One of the Ampol Women’s State of Origin series this Thursday night – give Jaime Chapman some more space.
The 22 year-old winger has scored 16 tries in her 23 NRLW games.
Chapman scored a try on debut for NSW in Game One last year, after scoring a hat-trick for the Jillaroos against France in the 2022 World Cup and a double for the Indigenous All Stars on debut that same year.
She will again patrol the right wing for the Westpac Sky Blues with Sergis as her inside woman at centre.
“Chappo is great. She’s a little superstar in the making – a shining star,” Sergis told nswrl.com.au
“We’ve already seen snippets of that last year.
“She’s loud and she’s confident and that just boosts our edge that bit more.
“Hopefully we can see her in some more space to see how fast she really is.”
Sergis is no slouch herself with a try, two line breaks and 15 tackle-busts from the two Origin games in 2023.
Along with fullback Emma Tonegato and left-side centre-winger Isabelle Kelly and Tiana Penitani, the back-five is unchanged in 2024.
“We all know each other quite well and we know each other’s playing style,” Sergis said.
“Being together for a second year is exciting. We’ve watched a lot of video of last year’s games so we know what we want to be better at.
“There’s been a few changes elsewhere but the back five has remained so we will do what the team needs. We’ve been doing that at training the past eight weeks so hopefully we do that again on Thursday night.”
Sergis will be played her eighth game for NSW on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.
“An Origin is up there with one of the fastest, hardest games I’ve ever played.
“We all know that Origin is a battle and I know how much we want to win, especially getting the head start in Game One.
“We’ve got a really great bunch of girls and a wider squad now of 35 to pick from. It’s great to see those younger girls coming through now.
“It’s a three-game series so we may need them. But we’ve got a great 20 heading to Brisbane and we know we can get the job done.”
