Kylie Hilder has defended her decision to name an unchanged NSW team for the women's State of Origin decider, insisting no player from the game-two upset loss deserved to be axed.
With the chance to wrap up the series, the fast-starting Sky Blues were left to rue a late fade that consigned them to an 11-10 loss in rainy Newcastle earlier this month.
Ample options would have been available had Hilder been looking for fresh legs in the decisive third match of the series, to be played in Townsville on June 27.
A pool of 36 players participated in NSW's seven-week camp before game one, with those who missed out on selection back training at their NRLW clubs for pre-season.
But the coach on Thursday defended her call to name the same game-day 17 for Origin III.
"We lost by one point," Hilder said.
"We were for most of the game on top of Queensland but it didn't pan out that way with the result.
"Everyone performed well, there was no one that didn't deserve to keep their spot."
Co-captain Kezie Apps said consistency on the team sheet was key for NSW, who have yet to report any significant injury concerns in the inaugural three-match women's series.
Outside backs Jaime Chapman and Jess Sergis will play in Townsville after battling through leg issues in Origin II.
"It's always hard when teams are chopping and changing all the time, or injuries happen," Apps told AAP.
"We're really lucky that we have an extended squad that anyone who popped in would be able to do the job.
"It's just confidence for us that we all got through injury-free, we're all fit and ready."
The Sky Blues fly to Townsville on Thursday night but began reviewing their last-start loss after reconvening for camp in Sydney this week.
"We defended really well (in game two)," Hilder said.
"We probably didn't execute a few times in attack and take opportunities, but you live and you learn.
"We won't give away too much, but we'll tweak a few little things that we need to.
"We're really confident going into game three."
