Queensland will turn to inspirational new captain Tamika Upton to find the extra gear needed to upset favourites New South Wales in the second Women’s State of Origin showdown.
The Blues will take an unassailable 2-0 series lead with victory at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
The Maroons were gallant in an 11-6 loss in Newcastle in game one, but errors and poor discipline let them down at key moments.
Upton has taken on a huge role after the retirement of Queensland legend and former skipper Ali Brigginshaw.
The dazzling fullback has embraced the responsibility, and assistant coach Clay Harris was full of praise for a player regarded as the best in the world.
“She’s unbelievable,” Harris said.
“It’s the first time I’ve worked with her, and her leadership is second to none.
“With a few debutantes, they’ve just been feeding on it.
The Maroons struggled with a lack of discipline during the Game 1 loss to the Blues.
“We’re a group, and we’re learning off each other as staff, but also learning off Tamika.”
Bench hooker Emma Manzelmann said Upton had taken a personal interest in improving each player in the side.
“She’s a really good leader, and I think she knows how to get around to each individual and how to help them get the best out of themselves,” Manzelmann said.
“Hopefully, we can repay her with a win on Thursday night.”
The two states are four-all in State of Origin “series” results, with the Blues having the chance to go ahead on Queensland soil.
The women’s interstate series was rebranded as State of Origin in 2018, with NSW winning that year in what was a one-off match.
The first two-game series was played in 2023 with the Maroons winning the trophy on for and against after winning once each.
Queensland triumphed 2-1 in the first three-match series in 2024, with NSW reversing the result last year.
“We are ready. We are not really feeling the pressure,” Manzelmann said.
New South Wales is looking to seal consecutive State of Origin series wins. (Getty Images: Scott Gardiner)
“I think we’re just concentrating on ourselves and on what we can do, and how to better ourselves.
“We let ourselves down in a few detail areas and probably crucial parts of the game (in Newcastle).
“We are just making sure that we get our discipline right.”
NSW skipper Isabelle Kelly said her side was raring to step up their intensity in defence, despite only conceding one try in game one.
“Defensively, there were a few areas that were a bit uncharacteristic from us, but we have honed in on what we need to be better at,” she said.
“Come tomorrow night, we are going to be good to go.”
AAP
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