NRLW, State of Origin, NSW Sky Blues, Queensland Maroons, Isabelle Kelly named in Origin II side as coach Kylie Hilder makes key changes in bid to retain shield

Author: Alicia Newton NRLW Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 10 Jun 2023, 09:17 AM

NSW coach Kylie Hilder has made big changes to her squad for the must-win Origin clash in Townsville with Simaima Taufa and Tiana Penitani set to return from injuries and Isabelle Kelly named.

Taufa (shoulder) and Penitani (hamstring) missed Game One but have been included in a 19-player squad while Rachael Pearson has been dropped, and Brooke Anderson reverts to 19th player following her Origin debut.

Taufa will move to lock with Kennedy Cherrington switching back to the bench while Penitani is back on the wing enabling Taliah Fuimaono to move to her preferred halves position alongside Jesse Southwell.

Taufa's return will bring much-needed experience in the middle with the Sky Blues veteran running for 144 metres in last year's fixture and is set to join captain Kezie Apps as one of the most-capped NSW players in state history with 10 apperances.

Kelly, who was cleared of a larynx fracture and throat damage after being taken to hospital in Origin I following a clash with Julia Robinson, will be given every chance to line up for the Sky Blues after being named in the centres.

Parramatta young gun Cassey Tohi-Hiku is on standby although Hilder is likely to use Anderson as a replacement if the likes of Penitani, Taufa or Kelly can't get through the training week.

The Sky Blues must beat the Maroons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on June 22 by nine points or more to retain the shield after they were defeated by eight points on home turf in the series opener.