NSW thought they had won the game when they kicked the ball out when clinging to a 13-10 lead on the stroke of full-time,  but under Super W rules there was injury time to be played.

The referee decided four more minutes needed to go on the clock, which gave Queensland, coached by former Shoals captain/coach Michael Hayes, one more chance to steal victory.

They kicked a penalty to level scores at 13-13 but were unable to edge ahead after 84 minutes, so the game went to extra time.

Hewson made a crucial try-saving tackle in the corner to keep scores even going into extra time and it was only fitting that she finished the job.

After nearly 92 minutes of pulsating play, Hewson was given the task of kicking a penalty to give her side victory.

There was complete silence at Allianz Stadium as the former Wallaroos captain lined up her kick.

She hit it perfectly from about 15 metres out and almost in front and was immediately hoisted up on her teammates’ shoulders,

It was the perfect celebration for one of Australia’s greatest-ever players.

"I feel absolutely exhausted and emotionally drained but definitely it was one of the tougher matches I've played," Hewson said.

"The belief in our team – we knew we'd get over the line eventually.

"I block everything out.

“It's always silent when I take my kicks, especially under that kind of pressure.

“As soon as the whistle blew I walked away and took a deep breath and knew it was going to come to that.

“Since the age of probably five or six I've been practising that moment in my backyard and at football fields down the South Coast.

“It finally paid off."

When the sides last met in round one, NSW were comprehensive winners by 18 points to nil.

Queensland were stung by that result and upped their game to take it to the competition favourites on their home turf.

One complaint about Super W has been its one-sided nature at times.

The average winning margin from the 10 regular season matches was 33.5 points.

NSW conceded only two tries in their four round matches.

Over time they will come back to the pack but from a pure entertainment point of view, fans want to see closer contests more regularly.

On this occasion, however, it couldn’t have been any closer.

"This whole competition has been unbelievable and gone from strength to strength," Hewson said.

"That game ... I'm so glad it was like that. It was a real testament to what this competition is about."

Being able to monetise such a competition is tricky for Rugby Australia, but they will be pleased with the first instalment and a memorable final.

The issue of Super W athletes not being paid has been a contentious one but, on the evidence from the inaugural tournament, one gets the sense that won’t be the case for long.

A decent crowd was present at Allianz Stadium for the match, and it was clever organising to make sure the game was played before the Waratahs’ Super Rugby fixture against the Lions.

Hewson kicked a penalty in the 12th minute to get things under way for the home team.

But it was NSW who trailed early, for the first time this season, after Queensland No.7 Lavinia Gould grabbed a terrific intercept before sprinting 60 metres to score a try.

Shortly after, another Hewson penalty helped NSW creep back in the lead and go to half-time up 6-5.

Queensland hit back after the break courtesy of Nareta Masters, who palmed off Hewson with  disdain before running away and scoring her team’s second long-range try.

Leading 10-6, Queensland then found themselves scrapping on their own line. Gould was shown a yellow card for an infringement and NSW made them pay as replacement Melissa Fatu crashed over in the 66th minute.