Hype surrounding inaugural women’s State of Origin clash won’t hinder Blues women
THE Blues have a quiet confidence. Not because they know they’re better than Queensland, but because they’ve done everything right this week.
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THE Blues have a quiet confidence. Not because they know they’re better than Queensland, but because they’ve done everything right this week.
Having gone into camp in Wollongong on Sunday, the New South Wales players are aware of the big moment that awaits them on Friday night at North Sydney Oval.
A standalone fixture, the first under the State of Origin banner, live on free-to-air television.
It’s a big moment for women’s rugby league, but really nothing new for players who have been representing at this level and higher for a number of years.
They are ready to rip in without a thought to who may be watching.
“It’s come across our minds in some sense but it’s not our main focus,” Blues prop Simaima Taufa said.
“We’ve focused on our footy and what we bring to the table and the processes that Crossy [NSW coach Ben Cross] has in place for us to go out there and hopefully get that victory.
“We’re embracing everything that’s happening at the moment. We’re being mindful about it all.
“It’s such a good team here and culture in the girls. When we’re in camp it’s all laughs and banter here and there, but we’re all ready to put our body on the line for each other.”
That willingness to put in for the player next to them is emphasised by everyone being prepared to take that much-anticipated first State of Origin hit up.
Taufa, the 2017 Dally M player of the year and recent Roosters recruit, said if it comes her way, she’s more than willing to truck it up.
But the whole team will run straight into the line and they expect Queensland to come at them hard.
“If it comes my way, I’ll be willing to step up, but everyone on that field is ready to take that first hit,” she said.
“We’re all prepared for whatever happens on the field, regardless of whether they’re backs or forwards, we know that they’re strong all around.
“We’ll take whatever they throw at us and we’re prepared to throw back the same.
“We have a strong forward pack and good backline, they can all hold their own.”
Cross said his team was excited more than nervous heading into the match that will open the NRL’s representative weekend.
The NSW team boasts plenty of experience at Origin and international level and they have taken the week’s preparation in their stride.
Cross echoed Taufa’s sentiments that they will match the Maroons upfront and he believes his team has the skilled, quick backs to finish them off.
“I think they’ll try to play that very in your face physical game, that’s the players they’ve selected,” Cross said.
“I would definitely back our players through the middle, our forward pack and we can match them in physicality. Then we’ll try to play to our strengths as much as possible as well.
“I’m confident in my coaching and confident in these girls’ ability, so yeah (we’ve got them covered).”