A relentless and united Westpac NSW Blues team is set to turn a platform of grit and resilience into magical rugby league as they look to seal the Origin series at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
The Blues expect to take their game to a new level in Brisbane not just for the spectacle in kicking off Magic Round, but in anticipation of the Maroons doing the same on the back of a tough, defensive-minded series opener.
While coach John Strange said there were not necessarily "magic tricks" in store, players will be looking for the opportunity to run more attacking shapes and reward the fans who make the pilgrimage to Suncorp.
"I think it's exciting for both teams. I thought it was a great game there at Newcastle by all the girls that played from both sides, so the fact that that was their first game and we've both had a couple of weeks since then, I think the standard will keep going which is a bit scary," Strange said.
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Blues are looking inward as they bracing for more from the likes of Tamika Upton, Chantay Kiria-Ratu and the rest of the Queensland spine, confident the physicality and systems that dampened their threat as Game One went on would hold the team in good stead.
"That's the way we defend, you know, I guess the more the game goes on, the more competitive our girls get, but that's who they are as characters," he said.
"It's probably being a little bit relentless there and that's probably what you noticed but not certainly looking to take anyone out."
Inside camp: Rima Butler
Blues debutant Rima Butler fits that mould perfectly, and captain Isabelle Kelly agreed she was "made for the Origin arena" was confident she would add to the resolve shown in the series opener.
"You want to go out there be relentless, work hard for your teammates, but sometimes you know things just don't happen the way you want it to, but I thought Game One we were extraordinary at that and we never gave up until the final whistle," Kelly said.
Kelly said the squad had worked intensively to solve defensive execution and handling errors that plagued the series opener, which would pave the way for their best footy.
"I think we didn't really get to put out there what we can do (in Game I) and showcase what we want to do and that only comes off the back of hard work and defensively making sure that we're aiming up," she said.
"We want to go out there and win the series, but to be honest we've really focused on game by game, we haven't really talked too much about wrapping the series up, it's just been about executing and doing the best that we can when we step onto that field.
Inside camp: Abbi Church
"There's a lot of work that's going to have to go into (Thursday) night, a lot of execution and a lot of grind, especially with those girls who are very experienced as well, so I'm just really proud to be honest and really excited to get out there.
"We love playing at Suncorp. I think especially leading into Magic Round, it's a great atmosphere.
"People are loving to come watch us and I guess watch the Origin that we produce in our own unique way and yeah I've absolutely loved having that at Suncorp and I think it's just going to make it a greater game too."
The relentlessness is offset by the calmness in the heat of battle, perhaps a symptom of the chilled, connected vibes emanating from the group in Blues camp.
As the team rolled into captain's run on Wednesday under dreary Brisbane skies, it was DJ Olivia Kernick in charge of the boom box blasting the 1980s Cold Chisel classic Flame Trees.
And if they can add another State of Origin series win to the history books, one famous lyric will ring true when they get a chance to reflect.
"Do you remember, nothing stopped us on the field, in our day."
- Get your tickets HERE!
Tickets available from $20 for Adults, $10 for kids and $40 for families.
