By Jasper Bruce
Isabelle Kelly has been selected by NSW in the second and decisive women’s State of Origin match despite suffering a horror throat injury in the series opener.
Queensland winger Julia Robinson’s elbow made contact with Kelly just before half-time in the Maroons’ 18-10 win on June 1. Kelly was left struggling for breath on the ground and coughing blood.
Even as she was confined to a hospital bed for two days, the Sky Blues refused to give up hope Kelly could play in game two at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
On Saturday, coach Kylie Hilder named Kelly in the team to face the Maroons on June 22, when the Sky Blues must win by nine or more points per the series’ points-aggregation system.
“Hilder [is] set to give her every chance to prove her fitness to take her place on the Sky Blues’ left edge,” a NSW Rugby League statement read.
Kelly was cleared of a throat fracture and Robinson was ruled out of the match through suspension.
Tamika Upton and Julia Robinson check on Isabelle Kelly after her horror injury in game one.Credit: Getty
Kelly retains her spot in a side that has a new-look halves pairing, with Hilder affirming her faith in teenager Jesse Southwell, who will now partner Jillaroos representative Taliah Fuimaono.
The mentor is sticking by Newcastle’s Southwell despite a quiet performance in the opener in which she unseated Brad Fittler as the state’s youngest Origin debutant.
Southwell shifts to halfback in place of Parramatta recruit Rachael Pearson, who drops out of the extended side altogether.
Fuimaono was rushed into the centres for game one after a last-minute injury to Tiana Penitani but now finds herself in her preferred five-eighth position in place of Southwell.
The Sky Blues welcome Penitani and Simaima Taufa from their respective hamstring and shoulder injuries, with the latter forcing Brooke Anderson out of lock.
Parramatta teenager Cassey Tohi-Hiku comes into the side as 18th player and could earn a possible Origin debut.
NSW’S STATE OF ORIGIN TEAM: Emma Tonegato, Jaime Chapman, Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Tiana Penitani, Taliah Fuimaono, Jesse Southwell, Kezie Apps, Keeley Davis, Millie Boyle, Olivia Kernick, Yasmin Clydsdale, Simaima Taufa, Quincy Dodd, Kennedy Cherrington, Sarah Togatuki, Shaylee Bent, Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Brooke Anderson.
AAP
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