One of the fresh faces in this year’s Maroons team that has coach Nathan Cross buoyed for Queensland’s future, Chantay Kiria-Ratu’s goal right now is to win.
Making her State of Origin debut at five-eighth, the Sharks playmaker has put her skills on display - highlighted by her kicking game - as Queensland has fallen just short in the opening two games.
With the strike of captain Tamika Upton and Julia Robinson missing in the final game, Kiria-Ratu will need to take another step up in her development if the Maroons are to upset a settled NSW outfit in Game Three.
“It's been pretty cool to learn off Crossy himself and then a few of the coaches Clay [Harris] and Tybo [Ty Williams]," Kiria-Ratu said.
“They've definitely challenged me to really come out of my shell and just always back myself and have confidence in myself.
“Big ups to those three, they've really pushed me this camp.
“I always want to build on my kicking game, I want to help my team and bring it each game.
“But there's always other things I want to look forward to (as well).
“My kicking game is definitely one of my strengths and I try and use it wherever I can.”
With the series now gone, but the fire burning to prevent a Blues whitewash, Kiria-Ratu said the side would adopt a positive mindset going into the final game on the Gold Coast.
“(Cross said) Game Three, we want to treat it as Game One,” Kiria-Ratu said.
“We want to come out and be at our best and play our best.
“But we've just got to take the week day-by-day and just build and connect and stay with each other.
“That is something that we want to do as a team is just stick together … we're pretty good with all that.
“We do have confidence we can play to our best ability.
“We've spoken about having belief in each other and I think that's going to be one of our words we're going to carry throughout Game Three.
Inside Camp: Chantay Kiria-Ratu
“We’d love to see the Queensland fans show out again.
“There were a few out at Suncorp Stadium (for Game Two) and we just appreciate everyone coming out.
“Queenslanders backed us right from the start, right to the end and we're just grateful… but at Cbus, we’d love to see the crowd come out.”
Having handled the vigours of the NRLW and representative football so far – after also guiding the Cook Islands Moana to the Pacific Bowl last year – Kiria-Ratu was open to experiencing new opportunities.
“That's definitely been always been one of the goals to represent Australia,” Kiria-Ratu said when asked if being part of the Jillaroos squad was a future ambition.
“I pretty much grew up in Australia … but I'm just going to focus on our next game and just take our trainings day-by-day.
“That would come as a bonus for me but definitely won't say no to that.”
The Maroons will be fighting to prevent a series whitewash when they host the Blues at Cbus Super Stadium on Thursday night.
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
- Get your tickets HERE!
Tickets available from $20 for Adults, $10 for kids and $40 for families.
