Despite representing New Zealand for over a decade Rona Peters says playing for Queensland is one of the most exciting parts of the rugby league calendar.
The experienced lock, now in her 30s, moved to Australia, settling down of the beautiful Gold Coast almost three years ago.
While Peters may not be a born and bred Queenslander, she still feels at home in her adopted state.
"It's really exciting, there are more opportunities to be excited about with the NRL coming up soon but this is [State of Origin] one of the most exciting parts of the year," Peters said.
"Knowing we get our game at one big stadium is even more exciting," she said.
Under the previous Women's Interstate Challenge, squads played under resident eligibility rules, which is based on where the player lived and played their footy unless otherwise exempt.
She is just one of three current or former Kiwi players part of the inaugural Women's State of Origin with teammate Maitua Feterika and NSW player Nita Maynard having represented New Zealand during the 2017 World Cup.
Peters grew up in New Zealand, playing for Papakura as a junior, before debuting for the Manurewa Marlins Women's team in Auckland.
She made her debut for the Kiwi Ferns during the 2003 World Cup but had to wait until she turned 16 before making her debut.
Peters played alongside her two sisters; Kahurangi and Hilda while playing for the Kiwi Ferns but with minimal opportunities for women rugby league players, she made the decision to move to Australia.
While not easy to make the move across the ditch, Peters said it could not have come soon enough and admitted she had moved sooner.
"There is not much of an opportunity over there [New Zealand] then what we get here," she said.
"I wish I had moved earlier," Peters said.
Now one of the top 40 Australian marquee players, it is a surreal moment for her.
"It's so surreal at the moment because we will get the opportunity to play NRL just like the men," Peters said.
The Women's State of Origin is on this Friday at 7:30pm LIVE on Channel 9 and FoxSports 2.
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