'Pride on the line': Unchanged Blues aiming for cleansweep

Blues coach John Strange spoke to his players in the dressing sheds at Suncorp Stadium after they retained the Origin Shield about the lessons they learned last year for their bid to achieve an historic series cleansweep.

Strange has named an unchanged side for State of Origin III at Cbus Super Stadium on May 28 to the one which last week secured back-to-back series triumphs with a gripping 14-10 win in Brisbane.

However, he reminded the players how the Blues had been in the same position last year and fell short of becoming the first women's team to complete an Origin series whitewash. 

"We spoke about that after the game in the sheds and I felt like going into camp for Game 3 there was a lot of excitement from all the players - and so they should have been excited because they'd wrapped the series up - but we probably didn't go in with the same intensity in Game 3 that we did in Game 1 and Game 2," he said.

"There's a really good learning experience for all of us involved, that if we're in the position again, which luckily we are this year, we're going to go in with a different mindset and make sure that we know that Queensland are going to come out strong.

"They certainly don't want to get beaten 3-0, so we know that desperation they're going to have and we're going to make sure we match that desperation and also focus on playing good footy."

The Blues are aiming to become the first NSW team to win an Origin series 3-0 since 2000. It is a feat that has only been achieved seven times in State of Origin history - four times by Queensland and three times by NSW.

"You've seen it so many times over the years with the men, where one team will come out and play really good in Game 1 and then the opposition will have that desperation, you know, because it's obviously the best of three to come out and get that equaliser," Strange said.

"The fact that we got it done in two games, which we did last year, certainly doesn't make it any easier. People call them dead rubbers and whatnot, but they certainly aren't dead rubbers.

"There's a lot of pride on the line so it's incredibly hard, and we know through firsthand experience last year, how difficult that is.

"We were in a similar situation last year after two games and we went up to Game 3 in Newcastle, and didn't get the job done.

"Queensland were outstanding in that game and very desperate and wanted to make sure that they got a win, so we fully understand that's the attitude they're going to bring."

In the only change to the team named for Origin II, Olivia Higgins has been selected to start at hooker, with Keeley Nizza on the bench, after the pair swapped roles in a late change.

"I thought it was a really good balance," Strange said. "They are different players in that hooking position. Olivia's service is great, she's a really solid defender and I knew she'd get us off to a really good start in Origin, which you need.

"And then Keeley brings a different dynamic in her game. She's very quick out of dummy half, manipulates the markers really well, and I believed that when there was a bit of fatigue in the game, she'd be really good coming on, sort of after around 20 minutes.

"They both did their jobs and were very good in Game 2."

Blues utility Tiana Penitani remains unavailable after suffering a knee injury in the opening match of the series at McDonald Jones Stadium, won 11- by the Blues.

"I feel like the girls that we selected for both games have done an awesome job. We want to make sure that they get the opportunity to go up there and win the third game," Strange said.

"It's about respecting the players that have worn the jersey and deserve to wear the jersey, so there was no thought of changing this year."