Maroons coach Nathan Cross has staunchly defended his decision to pick young NRLW players, despite his side losing the first two women's State of Origin games.
Queensland went down 14-10 in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday night, with winger Jasmine Peters denied scoring twice in the second half after incredible try-saving tackles from Jesse Southwell and Teagan Berry in the corner.
Despite a gallant effort, it was the experience of the big-name Blues stars such as Jess Sergis, Olivia Kernick and Isabelle Kelly that helped secure the series when it mattered.
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However, when asked about the influx of younger talent into his squad and whether he would stick with them for game three, Cross gave a defiant response.
"I think as a coach, I think I've shown that with my time at the Dragons and now in Origin that I'm not afraid of people's ages," the first-year Origin coach said.
"I'm prepared to back young players if I feel like they're the best people to wear the jersey and I firmly believe that the teams that we've been picking have earned it.
"I'll continue to do that and I know I've got the support of Meeks [captain Tamika Upton] around that. I'm really proud of how the young girls have come along and look, the series (is) done now but they'll be so much better for the experience."
Watch the 2026 Women's State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Cross was forced to look towards the next generation for the 2026 series after an ACL injury to five-eighth Tarryn Aiken and retirement of long-time skipper Ali Brigginshaw.
Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Ivana Lolesio made their debut in the series opener, while young centre Rory Owen is already repaying the faith after getting a taste of Origin last year.
Upton echoed her coach's sentiment, shielding the squad's newcomers from the weight of the defeat at Suncorp Stadium.
"Obviously it's been two tight matches, which we haven't been able to seal, and to be honest that's my job as a leader so I'll wear that," she said.
"Speaking about the young girls that we have, they're honestly incredible and none of them should have their head down in that room over there.
"They're outstanding on this stage to be in some of the first games of the year and come out and do what they did against a pretty established side.
"So, it's on us as leaders to wear the final result but I just want those young girls in our team to have all the confidence in the world."
While backing his personnel, Cross was blunt about the issues that cost Queensland.
"Errors killed us tonight," he said.
"We were 16 errors, 57 per cent, completion. You just can't win games of footy like that."
Queensland will look to avoid a series whitewash when they head to the Gold Coast for State of Origin III on May 28.
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