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Origin sees Brigginshaw lift second trophy

3 minute read

Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw has added the State of Origin trophy to her haul after already steering Brisbane to the NRLW title.

Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw toasted her team's State of Origin success with an orange juice rather than champagne after suffering a head knock late in the 24-18 victory over NSW.

Brigginshaw got to hold aloft her second trophy of the year after also steering Brisbane to the NRLW title with a grand final win over the Sydney Roosters.

She was again one of her team's stars as the Maroons ended a four-year dominance by the Blues in the Origin arena to the cheers of "Queenslander" ringing out around Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Broncos fullback Tamika Upton scored a double and player of the match, five-eighth Tarryn Aiken, crossed for a key second half try on their Origin debuts.

Brigginshaw wasn't carrying any obvious post-match scars but said she had failed a HIA test late in the game.

It came when the Blues were clawing their way back into the match, closing in on Queensland's 24-6 lead to set up a thrilling finale.

"I was in HIA telling the doctor to speed it up a little bit, trying to remember my words.

"It was disappointing not to be there for that final siren but I could hear the roar in the sheds so it was great to have the Queensland crowd there.

"I failed my HIA so that might interrupt the party - I'll have an orange juice.

"I'm buggered but that's what we said to the girls, don't be able to walk off the field, you want to leave everything out there and I think we did that."

Brigginshaw felt the breakthrough win could be a turning point for the Maroons.

"I think this is the start of something," the 30-year-old said.

"We want to keep this team together - nine debutants and a couple in their first year and one being only their third game so I think this team needs to stay together and build from this.

"We will come together next year and we're a great team and we have a long future ahead of us."

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