HOLLI Wheeler from Old Bar has been named in the Australian Jillaroos rugby league side following the second Women's State of Origin match played at North Sydney Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wheeler was a member of the winning NSW side. This was the second successive year she has been in the NSW team.
A back rower playing off the bench, Wheeler was one of NSW's best in the gripping 14-4 win over the Queenslanders.
The Blues dominated the second half after Queensland led 4-0 at the break. The game attracted a crowd of 10,500.
Jillaroos coach Brad Donald said the Origin was one of the best matches he had witnessed since starting as Jillaroos coach in 2016.
"The skill level of our elite female athletes continues to get better and better and I was so proud of the efforts of every player competing for their respective states," he said.
NRL general manager of the Women's Elite Program, Tiffany Slater said the women's Origin match had attracted a significant increase in fan attendance and TV audience year on year.
"More than 10,500 fans witnessed a rivalry without rival last Friday night at North Sydney Oval, with a million people tuning in," Ms Slater said.
Related:
The merit side is: 1 Corban McGregor, 2 Jess Sergis, 3 Amber Pilley, 4 Isabelle Kelly, 5 Steph Mooka, 6 Kirra Dibb, 7 Maddie Studdon, 8 Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 9 Brittany Breayley, 10 Simaima Taufa, 11 Holli Wheeler, 12 Annette Brander, 13 Hannah Southwell, 14 Ali Brigginshaw, 15 Millie Boyle, 16 Steph Hancock, 17 Botille Vette-Welsh.
Wheeler, who now lives in Newcastle, plays for CRL Newcastle in the NSW Women's Premiership. She will turn out for St George in the NRL Women's Premiership later this year.