Westpac NSW Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder said Jaime Chapman and Jess Sergis had recovered from leg injuries in Game Two at Newcastle two weeks ago, and would be fit for the Ampol State of Origin series decider in Townsville next Thursday 27 June.
The right-side centre and winger both suffered leg bruising and were noticeably hobbling towards the end of the match, won by Queensland 11-10.
“They are 100 per cent fine,” Hilder told the media after the Sky Blues came into camp in Sydney earlier today before travelling to Townsville tonight.
“They both ran this morning and there’s no issues there. It was a cork for both girls so they just needed few days to rest and heal.”
After winning Game One in Brisbane 22-12, NSW heads to Queensland Country Bank Stadium with the 2024 series poised at 1-1.
“It’s great for the women’s game that we get a decider,” Hilder said, acknowledging the significance of winning the first women’s three-game series was not lost on her players.
“It would be awesome… it’s something that would be such a special moment for the girls if we get the opportunity to do it,” she said.
“It’s an occasion; a special event; that no-one else could take away from these girls.”
Hilder has made no changes to her starting 17 for Game Three after the close encounter of Game Two.
“We lost by just one point and I thought for most of the game, we were on top of Queensland.
“It didn’t pan out that way with the result, but I thought everyone did their job and deserved to keep their spot.”
When the Sky Blues came into camp this morning, they watched Game Two at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence’s lecture theatre.
“There was a lot for us to learn, which we looked at in a video session,” Hilder said.
“We won’t be giving away too much… we tweaked a few little things we needed to and we’re confident for Game Three.”
The Maroons snatched Game Two with a last-minute field goal by Lauren Brown.
Hilder was asked if NSW had been practising the one-pointers and if halfback Rachael Pearson, as the recognised goalkicker, would be the one to take them.
“I can’t tell you that – that’s giving away too much information,” Hilder said, with a smile.
