Queensland has claimed back-to-back women's State of Origin wins over NSW, snatching an 8-6 result with a last-minute penalty at a rain-drenched Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night.
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Maroons centre Lauren Brown stepped up to slot the match-winning kick with just 20 seconds left on the clock after Sky Blues reserve Filomina Hanisi was penalised right in front of the posts.
NSW, headlined by South Coast pair Kezie Apps and Millie Boyle, were left shattered when Hanisi was called for a leg pull as Maroons prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi tried to play the ball.
Brown kicked truly to ensure the Maroons backed up last year's 24-18 win, squaring the Origin ledger at 2-2.
Queensland had dominated the women's interstate challenge when it began in 1999 - at one stage winning 16 straight games - but NSW had claimed the first two clashes after the contest was rebranded Women's State of Origin in 2018.
The stage was set for a nail-biting finish when scores were locked at 6-6 after recalled NSW halfback Maddie Studdon potted over a 53rd-minute penalty when Lenarduzzi was placed on report for a dangerous tackle.
Queensland looked to have snatched the lead when fullback Tamika Upton crashed over in the 64th minute, only for the try to be disallowed with Julia Robinson was deemed to have obstructed Corban Baxter in the lead-up.
The Maroons led 6-4 at half-time lead after overcoming a strong start by NSW.
Studdon and Jillaroos fullback Bo Vette-Welsh combined before star Sky Blues centre Isabelle Kelly muscled through four defenders to score in just the fifth minute.
But they were left to rue missed chances in the wet with winger Tiana Penitani (12th minute), Jess Sergis (30th) and prop Millie Boyle (50th) spilling the ball with the line beckoning.
Superstar centre Sergis looked to have capped a try of the year contender but dropped the ball with the line at her mercy, botching a chance to cap a remarkable backline movement that included two kicks.
Maroons rookie hooker Destiny Brill made the most of her chances in the wet after being held up in the ninth minute, burrowing through three players from dummy-half to score in the 23rd minute as the hosts edged ahead 6-4.
While Queensland had 14 players returning from last year's win, 18-year-old Brill was a standout as one of three Maroons debutantes.
NSW's code-hopper Hannah Southwell was impressive after the lock overcame an ankle complaint that forced the former W-League and Australian rugby sevens player from the field in the 12th minute to provide starch to the visitors' defence.
In other injury news, NSW winger Tiana Penitani (ankle) left the field in the 57th minute.
Meanwhile, Maroons back-rower Tazmin Gray was placed on report (fourth minute) while inspirational Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw may be in trouble after Kennedy Cherrington complained of having her hair pulled in a tackle late in the first half.
NSW prop Simaima Taufa was reported in the 20th minute for a crusher tackle on Brigginshaw.
