Olivia Kernick capped a stunning 12 months of success by helping the Westpac NSW Blues to win the State of Origin Shield and the star forward is hungry for more.
Kernick added the Origin II player-of-the-match award in Thursday night's 26-6 triumph at Allianz Stadium to her 2024 NRLW premiership, Dally M medal and Jillaroos jersey from the March 1 Test against England in Las Vegas.
However, the Blues lock is adamant that the job isn’t finished yet as she looks to help NSW complete the first women's Origin series whitewash in Game 3 at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium on May 29.
Kernick's player of the match performance
“It's our first three game series win, and to wrap it up after Game 2, it's actually unreal," Kernick said. "It just makes me really proud of the girls because these are our first couple of games of the year, and the quality is so good.
“I'm obviously over the moon and so stoked with the girls and our performance, but we still have a job to do, and we definitely want to go out in Newy and win that game as well."
The only disappointment for Kernick in the past 12 months was missing out on Jillaroos selection for the Pacific Championships at the end of last season, but she has refused to dwell on the setback.
After being recalled for the Vegas Test, Kernick is doing everything necessary to cement her place in the representative arena and she scored two tries, had a hand in another, ran 236m with the ball and produced 10 tackle breaks in Thursday night's player-of-the-match performance.
“I feel like I just have a job to do, and I just want to always put my best foot forward, so no matter the occasion that's my goal," Kernick said.
"I've just been setting little goals for myself since last season and just working hard, training hard and focusing on what’s next, and the next game.”
Player of the match Olivia Kernick
Blues skipper Isabelle Kelly was in awe of Kernick’s performance in the NSW jersey, and said she was an integral member of the team’s leadership.
“When ‘Liv’ talks everyone listens, and I think she is a really great leader within our Blues, and obviously back at the Roosters with me as well," Kelly said.
"She really understands footy, she's really smart, she loves to learn, she asks a lot of questions and is well respected within our group."
Despite playing primarily on the right edge for Sydney Roosters in last year's NRLW premiership win, Kernick has returned to the middle at Origin level.
“I played lock [for NSW] last year, it’s definitely a shift I really enjoy, and I love new challenges," she said.
"I’m just happy to do what's best for the team, whether it's in the middle or an edge, or whatever it is."
Match: Blues Women v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues Women
away Team
Maroons
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
