Behind every State of Origin Hero: Meet the glamorous wives and girlfriends of Queensland and New South Wales stars

As the clock ticks down until the first State of Origin explodes at Accor Stadium on Wednesday, Daily Mail Australia has taken a closer look at the inspiring wives and girlfriends supporting the Queensland and NSW players from the sidelines. 

from the loudest, boldest weddings and engagement rings to the couples that enjoy staying out of the limelight, these are the love stories of the Blues and Maroons.

New South Wales

Dylan Edwards – Nadine Haggart

Dylan Edwards and Nadine Haggart became engaged in February 2023 and share two daughters together. The couple’s bond was highlighted at the time of their engagement when the Penrith Panthers’ three-time premiership-winning fullback Dylan posted: “Forever with my best friend”. 

Brian To’o – Sala-Moesha Crichton

The wedding of Brian To’o and Sala Moesha was one of the NRL moments of the year in 2022, outside of the Penrith Panthers first premiership in the threepeat. It was complete with a cringe speech from teammate and best man Jarome Luia but the couple stole the show by dancing the entire way into their reception hall.

Stephen Crichton – Leone Seumanu Lauafia

Crichton became engaged to his beau in 2023, posting: ‘My highschool sweetheart who’s now my Fiancé. My forever love , it’s always been us and now we can share forever together’. She replied: ‘My heart is so full. Said YES to forever w my Fiancé. I love you @crittaaa_. This was definitely all in Gods timing’. 

Joseph Aukuso-Su’ali’i – Single

The Roosters star was snapped at Bondi Beach with a brunette companion in November, 2023, but remains part of the bachelors club in the Blues ranks. 

Zac Lomax – Single

In 2022, it was confirmed that Lomax has a new partner, Tahlia Thornton, who is a swimmer for the Australian Swim Team. Thornton had been spotted at Dragons matches and the couple holidayed together in Hawaii for some time together after the season. However, Lomax is reportedly single again after also being previously linked with NRLW star Jessica Sergis. 

Jarome Luai – Bailey Parist

Jarome Luai officially locked in his off-field future by proposing to longtime partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa in December last year. It comes after the couple bought a $1.55million house in Sydney’s South Penrith in June, 2023 while the couple have three children together, Izzy, Akira and Halo. 

Nicholas Hynes – Single

Hynes previously had to sett the record straight after an Instagram post prompted fans to think he had come out as gay. He has been listed as a bachelor as recently as 2023, but has been linked with beauty entrepreneur Morgan Belier and television presenter and author Marlee Silva. The only women that Hynes is showing off in his life, though, are his mother and his niece Bobbie. 

Jack Trbojevic – Alix Waddell

The Manly Sea Eagles star and partner Alix Waddell announced their engagement on social media in February this year. Alix is an accomplished physiotherapist, also works with the New South Wales touch football team and is accredited as a sports physio. 

Reece Robson  – Ellie Carmichael

North Queensland Cowboys’ hooker Reece Robson welcomed his first child into the world with partner Ellie Carmichael in January this year. The couple have been together since about mid-2021 and recently ungraded to a family home in Townsville. 

Payne Haas – Leilani Mohenoa

Haas and girlfriend Leilani Mohenoa announced they were expecting a baby girl in 2020 before he popped the question in 2023. Mohenoa has been by his side for the past few years, with the pair falling pregnant within months of Haas losing his brother, Chace, in 2020 while the Broncos star’s parents are also facing separate legal challenges. 

Liam Martin – Chelsea Leary

The powerful New South Wales forward has been dating glamour physical education teacher Chelsea Leary for more than five years. They both come from the country town of Temora.

Angus Crichton – Chloe Esegbona

Crichton split from his glamorous Olympian girlfriend Morgan Mitchell in 2022 before facing mental health challenges in 2023 that meant a long spell away from footy. He has recently shared off-season photos of his global travels including Chloe Esegbona, but whether they are in a relationship or just friends is not clear. 

Cameron McInnes – Rachel Mahe

Cameron McInnes and Rachel Mahe share two children but maintain a private life, as seen with Rachel’s private Instagram account and the lack of photos of them together on Cam’s account. On Mother’s Day, Cam posted a heartfelt message thanking Rachel for everything and expressing their children’s luck in having her. In April, Cam shared about their son’s autism diagnosis, describing the journey as enlightening and urging people to treat others with kindness and patience. 

Isaah Yeo – Ashleigh Camenzuli

NRL star Isaah Yeo and his fiancée Ashleigh Camenzuli are anticipating the arrival of their third child in August. The couple, who became engaged in late 2022, welcomed their first child, Haven Autumn Yeo, on November 23, 2021, after announcing the pregnancy six months prior. 

Haumole Olakau’atu – Ana Ilavalu

Haumole and his partner, Ana Ilavalu, have been together for six years after meeting through church. On their relationship, she said: ‘Haumole has always been a mature guy. He is pretty much straight forward, is humble, and very caring. He respects his parents and loves kids. He is a very good Dad.’ 

Spencer Leniu – Alexia Loizou

Alexia is the partner of prop Spencer Leniu. The couple have been together for more than eight years. ‘Thank you for always holding it down for us, I pray that God blesses us with many more. Gotchu to the grave! I love you,” he wrote on Instagram on their anniversary. 

Hudson Young – Kelsea Peck

Kelsea is the girlfriend of backrower Hudson Young. The couple have been together for three years. Young originally missed the phone call from former coach Brad Fittler saying he would make his debut in 2023, but after calling him back, the first person he called was Kelsea. 

Queensland

Reece Walsh -Freda Puru

Walsh split from his longtime girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Freda Puru, last year, but the couple continue to co-parent their daughter. The Broncos star also recently purchased a $1.8million sprawling Gold Coast estate for his young family. 

Xavier Coates – no gf

 The young Melbourne Storm winger was pictured with a young lady from his high school in his early NRL days, but appears to be single now

Valentine Holmes – Natalia Holmes

The like to keep it tight in Townsville – very tight. You see, Valentine Holmes’ wife Natalia Holmes nee O’Toole is the sister of Brianna Morgan nee O’Toole – the wife of former North Queensland Cowboys captain Michael Morgan.

That makes Valentine Holmes the brother-in-law of his high school best mate and Cowboys, Maroons and Kangaroos teammate Michael Morgan, while his wife is his sister-in-law. She is also the direct sister of Michael Morgan’s wife Brianna, who is the sister-in-law of Holmes. 

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – no gf

Good news ladies, The Hammer is single and ready to mingle. 

Murray Taulagi – Claudia Schroder

Since 2017, Claudia Schroder, an occupational therapy assistant in Townsville, and Murray have formed a strong partnership. They share glimpses of their life, including their pets Ryder and Rocky, on TikTok.

Tom Dearden – Tahlia Church

High school sweethearts Tom Dearden and Tahlia Church have been together since their days at Palm Beach Currumbin State High, where Dearden graduated in 2018. Tahlia has consistently supported Tom, cheering him on as he made his Queensland Maroons debut in the final match of the 2022 State of Origin.

Daly Cherry-Evans – Vessa Rockliff

Manly Sea Eagles skipper Dale Cherry-Evans and partner Vessa Rockliff met in 2008 and have three daughters, Tilly, Navi and and Harvie. Cherry-Evans has credited his three children for his incredible form in the twilight years of his rugby league career. 

Reuben Cotter – Mackenzie Falco

Cotter officially tied the knot with long-term partner Mackenzie Falco at the glamorous Ville Resort and and Casino in Townsville in 2023. However the North Queensland Cowboys star had to cancel his bucks party in the lead up to the big day, as it clashed with him playing for the Australian Kangaroos. 

Ben Hunt – Bridget Hunt

Hunt’s wide Bridget is a nutritionist and dietitian and the couple have two children, Brady and Bowie. Hunt married Bridget in a lavish ceremony on the NSW north coast in 2017. 

Lindsay Collins – Kaylah Collins

Kaylah Collins, 26, married Sydney Roosters NRL player Lindsay Collins in 2022, forming a dynamic power couple. Working in PR, Kaylah met Lindsay in high school, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. She’s experienced life as a WAG throughout their entire relationship. 

Jaydn Su’A – unknown

A very private person, it remains unknown whether Su’A has a partner or not. 

Jeremiah Nanai – Jordii-Rae Mahendrarajah

It has been a whirlwind rise to the top for the Cowboys star who became a millionaire days before his 20th birthday. His childhood sweetheart, who he took to his high school formal at Kirwan State High School in Townsville in 2020, helps keep him grounded.

Patrick Carrigan – unknown

After his split from Nine News sport presenter Bronte Gildea, Carrigan is back on the market and rated on the top NRL bachelors 

Harry Grant – Brooke Loiero

Harry Grant tends to keep his relationship with Brooke Loiero, sister of his Melbourne Storm teammate Trent Loiero, relatively private. However, the pair have been seen together at several high-profile events. They first appeared publicly at the 2022 Storm Player of the Year Award and were also photographed together at the 2023 Dally M Awards.

Moeaki Fotuaika – Vanessa Fotuaika

Maroons prop Moe Fotuaika revealed how he had to cut short a ‘babymoon’ with partner Vanessa Cox in Byron Bay after being recalled for Origin II at Suncorp Stadium in 2023. The couple, who welcomed their son Malakai in September, had to re-arrange their plans and leave Byron early so Fotuaika could join the Maroons camp to begin preparing for Origin.

J’maine Hopgood – Erin Munn

Erin Munn, the girlfriend of J’maine Hopgood, welcomed their daughter Iyla Lorraine in 2023. Since their relationship began in 2017, it has grown alongside J’maine’s career. The couple have been together for six years

Selwyn Cobbo – Ruby Peyroux

Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo and his partner, Ruby Peyroux, prefer to keep their relationship mostly private but are often seen together at Brisbane events. Since appearing at the Brisbane Broncos awards night in 2022, they have become a well-known couple on the local social scene. They were also seen vacationing in Bali with teammates, highlighting their close ties within the NRL community.