After earning a convincing first-up win on enemy soil, New South Wales have the chance to secure a series victory this Thursday in front of their home fans in Newcastle.
The Sky Blues made a roaring start in Game One from which the Maroons simply couldn't recover and by full-time NSW had made six line breaks to Queensland's one.
While the backline got plenty of praise for their exhilarating display, coach Kylie Hilder's side were led by brilliant displays from several forwards, with Olivia Kernick topping the yardage count with 171 metres and powerhouse prop Caitlan Johnston and player of the match Yasmin Clydsdale starring.
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In a bid to try and keep the three-game series alive, Queensland coach Tahnee Norris has made a key change to her spine, which will see captain Ali Brigginshaw move back into the No.7 jersey from lock.
While the Maroons got up for a win last year at CommBank Stadium, that's the only time they've had success in the four interstate games played in NSW since 2016.
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Team News
New South Wales: Olivia Kernick will start at lock and Keeley Davis goes to the bench in a late shift an hour before kick-off. Corban Baxter and Rachael Pearson are again the halves after orchestrating the Game One win while Jaime Chapman starts on the wing after her heroics in Brisbane. Kirra Dibb is 18th player.
Queensland: No game day changes after powerhouse forward Keilee Joseph joined the bench when the squad was updated on Wednesday night, bumping Sophie Holyman out of the 17. Joseph returns for her third Origin game after missing the series opener through injury. Lauren Brown moves to hooker after initially being named at centre, with debutante Emmanita Paki now starting in a reshuffled backline and Destiny Brill moving back to the bench. Captain Ali Brigginshaw will start at halfback in place of Zahara Temara, with Sienna Lofipo the new lock. Temara is the Maroons' 18th player.
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Stat Attack
- The Sky Blues have won five of the eight State of Origin games played since 2018, including three of the past four.
- Maroons fullback Tamika Upton has scored two tries in her past three games, while New South Wales winger Tiana Penitani has scored two in her last two games.
- The Maroons have won only one of four Origin games played in New South Wales.
- Sky Blues halfback Rachael Pearson has scored most points in women’s Origin (18).
- Ali Brigginshaw and Tazmin Rapana have played all eight Origin games for the Maroons.
- Kezie Apps and Isabelle Kelly have played all eight Origin games for the Sky Blues.