Freeze factor: Sky Blues, Maroons brace for slippery Canberra encounter

The NSW Sky Blues have ensured there’ll be no mention of the chill factor once they arrive in the nation’s capital on Monday by implementing a fine system for anyone who utters the words.

Both NSW and Queensland will shift their fierce rivalry in women’s Ampol State of Origin to Canberra next Friday night for the fifth official clash between the two states.

With temperatures expected to drop to around five degrees by kick-off, some of the players will not have played in conditions quite like it since Australia played a Test match against New Zealand in 2016.

The match will also act as a perfect appetiser for when most of the players form the Australian Jillaroos squad that travels and plays in England in November at the World Cup.

“We know it’s going to be freezing, Millie Boyle has been living down there and we’ve had few training sessions on a Tuesday night to prepare,” NSW five-eighth Corban Baxter said.

“It’s not the real deal, Canberra is a different beast, but a good start. We’ve made a point to not complain about the weather, we’ve just got to suck it up and get on with it. Once you get through the warm up you’re ok.

“I think it will have some say in the game, it will probably be slippery out there but we will just have to adjust and do the job.”

Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw said she hoped the conditions didn't deter people from not attending.

The match has attracted solid crowds in recent seasons with this year's fixture on track to eclipse the highest attendance since 2019.

“We can’t think about that too much, the Sunshine Coast match last year it was hot during the day but then when we played it was freezing and windy,” Brigginshaw said.

“I’m fearing for everyone coming to watch the game. I want everyone there but don’t want anyone to freeze to death. I think adrenaline will get us all through.”

Brigginshaw expects the Sky Blues to be a different prospect with joint Dally M medal winner Emma Tonegato and NSW assistant coach Jamie Soward on board.

“Last year was one of the hardest games we’ve ever played, they brought it to a new level with the wrestle, so I’m expecting big things with the wrestle,” Brigginshaw said.

“We’ve got to be on our game. They can throw everything at us but we’re stepping it up to a new level as well.”

Maroons winger Karina Brown, who is 19th player, hasn’t trained with the squad due to flu-like symptoms but is expected to re-join the group on Monday.