Fronting the media ahead of the Blues’ captain’s run on Wednesday, NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder was thrilled with the team’s preparations in camp.
“We’ve looked at what we need to fix from game one and we’ve got a few changes in there, but the girls are in a really good headspace and I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
The Blues’ side has undergone a shake-up from game one with veterans Simaima Taufa and Tiana Penitani to return at lock and on the wing respectively, after missing the series opener with injury.
Penitani’s inclusion also allows Taliah Fuimaono to go back to the halves with Jesse Southwell moved to halfback.
“Having the likes of Simaima straight back in – she adds so much to our team,” Hilder said.
“Jesse shifting to the halfback spot has fixed the issues we had there, with Tiana back on the wing.
“So, we’ve got some experienced players back, and everyone has gelled together and everyone knows their job and the role they need to play.”
Isabelle Kelly will also return to the fold after being cleared of a fractured larynx and any serious throat damage following a high elbow in game one that left the Origin star coughing up blood.
“She adds so much to our team, not only as a co-captain but what she does for us [on the field],” Hilder said.
“She was a big loss for us in the second half [of game one]. It’s really exciting to have her back as well, she brings a lot of confidence to the girls around her and within the team as well.
Asked if Blues were focusing on the nine aggregate points needed to steal the shield out from under the Maroons, Hilder claimed there had been no talk of the points system.
“Not once have we discussed the points and what we need to win by. We know we need to come here and we need to win and that’s the mindset that we’ve got,” she said.
“The rest will take care of itself. We’ve just got to get out there, do the little things right, stick to our game plan – play the way I know that we can play – and we will wait for the results to come.”
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