Raiders NRLW duo Sophie Holyman and Zahara Temara named in Maroons squad

Two top Canberra Raiders NRLW recruits have been named in the Maroons squad for the upcoming Women's State of Origin next month. Sophie Holyman and Zahara Temara are set to feature in the Raiders' inaugural NRLW season kicking off in July, but first the duo will play for Queensland in the opener of the two-game Origin series against NSW Blues on June 1. Fresh off winning the QRL Women's Premiership with Burleigh Bears on Sunday, Holyman and Temara were selected Monday as one of six players that starred in the grand final. Jordan Rapana's sister Tazmin Gray also played with the Bears and has made the Maroons squad. Queensland head coach Tahnee Norris has coached both Holyman and Temara before and was excited to see what they can bring to this Origin series. With Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw now 33, Norris noted Temara's Origin leadership potential in the future after what she's achieved at club level at the Roosters. "Zahara provides leadership for us, and I forget sometimes she's still only 25 because she's been around for such a long time," Norris said of the Jillaroo. "She has a strong kicking game, goes into the line and is also strong defensively as a halfback. "She's been in really good form as captain for Burleigh, and it's a fantastic pick-up for the Raiders to get Zahara and her younger sister Chante." Norris was glowing in her review of Holyman's rise, comparing her fitness and speed up the middle to that of NRLW superstar Millie Boyle. "Fitness is crucial...and she's an extremely fit athlete," Norris said. "Sophie hasn't been around the game for very long from a rugby sevens background, but has showed her skills in the NRLW. "She adjusted to rugby league so well and she's really quite quick for a front-rower. "She doesn't mind the tough stuff through the middle, so I'm really looking forward to her debuting." The Maroons enter camp on May 26 before game one of the series at Parramatta Stadium on June 1, followed by game two in Townsville on June 22. Queensland will be vying to win back the Origin shield after NSW won the series last year. "Queenslanders are ridiculously passionate about Origin and the girls know that or they don't get a jersey," Norris said. "It's about understanding the journey or the men and the women's game and what it takes." Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick is finalising preparations for the club's "tough" seven-week pre-season starting in a few weeks, before their NRLW season opener on July 23. Game 1: NSW Blues vs Queensland Maroons at Parramatta Stadium, June 1, 7.45pm Game 2: Queensland Maroons vs NSW Blues at Townsville Stadium, June 22, 7.45pm Queensland Maroons Women's Origin squad: Tarryn Aiken (Sydney Roosters), Emily Bass (Gold Coast Titans), Ali Brigginshaw (c) (Brisbane Broncos), Destiny Brill (Brisbane Broncos), Shenae Ciesiolka (Brisbane Broncos), Jessika Elliston (Gold Coast Titans), Tazmin Gray (Brisbane Broncos), Sophie Holyman (Canberra Raiders), Keilee Joseph (Sydney Roosters), Emma Manzelmann (North Queensland Cowboys), Shannon Mato (Gold Coast Titans), Evania Pelite (Gold Coast Titans), China Polata (North Queensland Cowboys), Shaniah Power (North Queensland Cowboys), Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos), Romy Teitzel (Brisbane Broncos), Zahara Temara (Canberra Raiders), Tamika Upton (Newcastle Knights). Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: