Hilder defends Origin selections after Whitfeld and Southwell left out for inaugural three-game series
NSW Blues coach Kylie Hilder has opened up on her team selections for Game I of the NRLW Origin series after some shock decisions.
Hilder opted not to select Dally M winger of the Year Jakiya Whitfeld, while halfback Jessie Southwell was also left out despite the young half leading the Newcastle Knights to back-to-back premierships, instead choosing the experienced pairing of Rachael Pearson and Corban Baxter.
Former Wallaroo Grace Kemp will play her first Origin after a breakout debut season in 2023, as will Roosters hooker Olivia Higgins, who has won three premierships in her first three seasons in the NRLW.
Hilder defended her selections, citing NSW’s quality of depth as the key reason Southwell and Whitfeld missed selection.
“The quality of depth that we have here at NSW is really good at the moment and obviously that’s shown with those girls missing out,” Hilder told SEN 1170's The Run Home.
“The outside backs we’ve got are the five from last year and they are outstanding… any other year Jakiya would’ve got herself a spot in our team.
“(Kemp) came from union last year, first year of rugby league playing with the Canberra Raiders, she was outstanding for them… I said to the girls from day one that all spots were open… and Grace… basically forced us to pick her.”
The NRLW Origin Series will also, for the first time, expand to a three-game series in 2024, after last season’s two-game series ended in a draw.
Hilder welcomed the expansion of the series saying the players deserved three games.
“It’s really good for the girls, they deserve to have a three-game series so we can have an outright winner without having to worry about points,” Hilder said.
“Probably worked out for the best that it was a draw because it did force the NRL to give us the three-game series so we can get an outright winner the right way.
“It was a very surreal feeling beating Queensland in Queensland but watching them celebrate.”
The NSW Blues will be looking for redemption after losing the 2023 series on cumulative points despite the series being tied 1-1.
The series kicks off on Thursday, May 16 at Suncorp Stadium to begin Magic Round.
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