Davis says NSW has learned from their mistakes

Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues hooker Keeley Davis says the team has learnt from their mistakes and is ready to claim the Ampol State of Origin shield for the second year in a row.

Despite needing to win by at least nine points in Game Two next Thursday (22 June), Davis says the feeling among the players of a second chance to redeem themselves is palpable.

“I feel like everyone is really excited to get a second opportunity,” Davis told nswrl.com.au

“There is definitely a lot we can take out of it. There’s probably some things that we need to move on with, but we know how Queensland are going to play a bit more than Game One.

“I feel like there are so many areas we can be better in so we are putting that into training now and will be better for Game Two.”

While Game One was played at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, the second game will be played at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, where the temperature is expected to reach 26 degrees on game night – more than 10 degrees hotter than Game One.

Davis says the heat will bring more fatigue into the game for both sides.

“It was actually really dewy in Parramatta; it was very short grass and very dewy so it might be similar.

“But it’s just a lot hotter so I think there will be a bit more fatigue in the game which there wasn’t really a lot of in Game One with all the errors and stoppages.

“It will be a bit more interesting with a bit more fatigue in the game.”

The new changes to the Sky Blues spine has Taliah Fuimaono slotting into five-eighth -moving Jesse Southwell to the No.7 jersey. Hooker Davis and fullback Emma Tonegato  already have a combination with Fuimaonlo as all three having play in those positions for the Illawarra Steelers in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.

However, Fuimaono played in the centres in Game One, replacing the injured Tiana Penitani.

Now having the opportunity to play in her preferred position, Davis believes the five-eighth is ready to help seal the win for the Sky Blues.

“I absolutely love how ‘Fui’ (Fuimaono) plays. I think it will be really complementary to how Jesse plays and they will balance each other out a lot.

“Fui is obviously a very strong ball runner and strong defender and I think myself and Emma having played a lot of football with her, I think she will slot in fine.

“I’m really excited that she gets this opportunity, she’s a great player and she’s ready to go.”