After impressing in her State of Origin debut last year, Queensland front-rower Shannon Mato is poised to make an even bigger impact this time around.
The 23-year-old is primed for her second outing in Maroon, against New South Wales at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday.
The squad went into camp on June 15, and Mato was delighted to be selected after pressing her claims with North Sydney in the New South Wales competition, after previously being based in Brisbane.
She is the only player in this year’s Queensland squad who hails from a New South Wales club.
“It’s very special to be selected again,” she said.
“I was living in Sydney this year, so wasn’t part of the Brisbane comp.
“But playing in Sydney, I gave it my all and they (selectors) watched over the games on Hudl.
“It’s a massive honour to be named in the team again … knowing that your hard work pays off, wherever you play.”
She said the Queensland players were thrilled to get together last week and they’ve since bonded well.
“Coming into camp, everyone was excited. We got our gear and that’s the most exciting thing, trying it on.
“Everyone’s been getting to know each other because there are a few new girls who have come into the squad this year.”
Indeed, there are five debutants.
“It’s pretty cool to see the young ones come in,” Mato said, before suggesting the new-look Queensland squad was blessed with pace.
“The team’s a lot faster than last year,” she said.
Mato, who is 179cm and 86kg, came off the bench in a big way in her Queensland debut last year, amassing 124m and 17 tackles.
She said she was even more prepared to tear in this year, when she is set to start at prop.
“When I was named last year, it was very unexpected,” she said.
“I was like ‘wow’ and when I was given my opportunity to run on to the field it was a big achievement for me … it was the best feeling ever.
“This year I get to finally play next to (fellow starting prop) Chelsea (Lenarduzzi).
“When I first came into camp last year, she helped me out when I felt a bit lost.
“She helped me identify other players and let me know where I should be on the field and what should happen next, and just to be comfortable.
“So, I’m pretty happy to lead the middle forwards out there on Friday.
New Zealand-born Mato has played rugby union at the elite level, for Queensland in Super W, from 2018 to 2020, before winning an NRLW premiership with the Brisbane Broncos in 2020, when she missed just one tackle from 28 attempts.
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She played with West Brisbane in the Queensland competition, before linking with North Sydney this year.
Queensland has largely dominated their exchanges with New South Wales, since the Interstate Challenge started in 2009, followed by State of Origin from 2018.
They won from 1999 to 2014, with a draw in 2015. The Blues won from 2016 to 2019, before the Maroons struck back last year with a 24-18 win at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Ampol Women’s State of Origin
- Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina
- Gates open at 5pm.
- Women’s Under-19 QLD v NSW, 5:15pm
- Pre-game entertainment: 7.15pm
- Women’s State of Origin QLD v NSW : 7:45pm
- Tickets start from $5 per junior, $15 per adult and $35 per family, http://tickets.nrl.com/origin/womens-2021
