Strange's stunning debut to inspire NSW Women's tilt at Origin history

NSW Women’s State of Origin coach John Strange sent a message to his son Ethan before Wednesday’s Origin series opener telling him how much he looked up to the 21-year-old Blues debutant.

As he prepared to return to the Gold Coast after watching Ethan help the Blues complete a record comeback at Accor Stadium, John said his performance would inspire his own shot at history as NSW aim to become the first Women’s team to win a series cleansweep.

“I messaged Ethan before he went out there to tell him I am not just proud of him, I actually look up to him as a person and for what he does,” Strange said.

“I really mean that, he inspires me to be the best I can be so I can't wait for our game.

"We've got a job to do to help create history for the women's NSW team no, and I'm certainly inspired by that result, and I'm also inspired by my son.”

After being called up to start at five-eighth when Mitchell Moses was ruled out with a hamstring injury on Tuesday, Strange produced one of the best Origin debuts for NSW since Brad Fittler in 1990.

He scored a try to start NSW’s comeback from 20-6 down to win 22-20, had another disallowed and produced a tackle that prevented Queensland from scoring, while also producing two line break assists in 15 runs with the ball, which yielded 135m.

“To see him run out there in the NSW jersey at such a young age was really emotional for, I was tearing up,” John said.

“Then to see him try and change momentum with his defence, when they didn't have the footy to then getting the footy and then just trying his best to create points … he kept going right to the end, and I am really proud of him as a father.

“It was amazing, I thought he was he was brilliant. He was a bit unlucky to have that try taken off him but it doesn't matter to him, he just keeps trying to come up with points for any team he's playing for. He’s so competitive and he just loves playing footy.

“For him to debut and be a big part in the biggest comeback in Origin history was awesome, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Despite his heroics, it remains to be seen whether Strange retains his starting spot as NSW seek to wrap up the series in Origin II at the MCG on June 17, with Moses hoping to be available.

However, Strange has no issue if asked to make way for Moses, saying: ‘Mitch is an outstanding football player with such a good footy brain. I learned a lot off him, and Moey has proved himself so many times at this level”.

Strange is just happy to have received his chance to play alongside Nathan Cleary as he orchestrated the stunning comeback against a 12-man Maroons side following Kalyn Ponga’s 57th minute send off.

“The way he controls the game is unbelievable. I knew he’d control the team and let me just run, and that’s exactly what he did,” Strange said.

“He’s so good in those big moments. When he kicked that 40/20, it was unbelievable. He’s just ridiculously good.

“I love this jersey and I always have. Growing up watching it, I didn’t know if this moment was ever going to happen, but I knew I was always going to try as hard as I could.

“It was a mad feeling, especially here in Sydney with all the Blues fans. It was awesome.”