Vice-captain brutally axed in Maroons reshuffle

Maroons halfback and vice-captain Zehara Temara has been dropped to the reserves for Thursday night's do-or-die second Women's State of Origin clash.

Off the back of a shock loss in front of a home crowd at Suncorp Stadium in the series-opener last month, coach Tahnee Norris has overhauled Queensland's right edge.

Temara will be 18th player on Thursday night, while winger Emily Bass has been axed altogether.

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Temara's spot in the halves will be filled by veteran Ali Brigginshaw, who played lock in game one. She will be replaced by Sienna Lofipo, who will make her debut.

Zahara Temara runs out for Queensland during the Women's State of Origin series-opener at Suncorp Stadium.

Evania Pelite played in the centres in game one, but has been moved out onto Bass' vacant wing. Lauren Brown has been elevated into the starting side and will line up inside her.

Speaking to media on Thursday morning, Maroons assistant coach Nathan Cross said fullback Tamika Upton would be the vice-captain on the field, Temora would remain in a vice-captain role on the bench.

"Zahara rolls out of the 17, and let's be honest, as 18th player tonight, she's still our vice captain (and) a very important member of the team," he said.

Brigginshaw has played much of her career at halfback, and Cross said her experience was what the Maroons were missing at times in game one.

Ali Brigginshaw in action for Queensland during Women's State of Origin game one at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

"She's a very selfless person, I don't think she gets enough credit for that. Last year played at 13 and really that was for the team, and again in game one," he said.

"We felt with a few things we didn't execute (where) we probably needed Ali's experience on that right edge.

"So she goes back there, she's an old hand, knows exactly what she needs to do, and she'll get us around the park well.

"It's those little moments, Ali knows better than anyone what Origin's about. She'll be really important for us tonight."

Watch the 2024 Women's State of Origin series on Nine and 9Now.

2024 Women’s State of Origin Highlights: QLD v NSW - Game I

Cross said Temara had been "playing a role to replicate what NSW might do" during Maroons training sessions.

"In the 17 years I've been coaching, it's almost the best I've ever seen someone do that," he said.

"It's a hard role – emotionally it's difficult for a player to come in and do that. So she's still our vice captain, but on the field tonight, Tamika is going to be our vice captain.

"Tamika is one who leads by her actions, but also she's one of the smartest players I've ever been associated with. She knows what to do and when to do it, and she's a really good voice and a good support for Ali (Brigginshaw)."

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