Millie Boyle and Kezie Apps are the only two forwards left from when the Sky Blues last hosted an Origin game in Sydney, so it’s fitting the pair are now set for huge roles in the middle on Thursday night.
NSW copped a triple blow earlier this month with Caitlan Johnston (knee), Holli Wheeler (knee) and Simaima Taufa (shoulder) all ruled out of the series while Hannah Southwell is nine months post-ACL surgery and will aim for an NRLW return in July.
That leaves Boyle and Apps as the main faces to occupy the middle, along with recalled Jillaroos forward Kennedy Cherrington, who will start at lock in a new-look engine room for Kylie Hilder’s side, and Wests Tigers recruit Sarah Togatuki.
Boyle is averaging 119 metres per game at the Origin level but is likely to see an increase on her 42-minute career average given the experience lost in the forward pack for the two-game series.
Apps, who will play her 10th match for NSW, including fifth under the official Origin banner, moves to prop after previously playing on the edge at the interstate level.
“It’s a bit different for Kez but she’s done it before in the NRLW,” Boyle told NRL.com.
“She’s a great player who can adjust and we saw that the other week in the City v Country game when she came on and almost changed the game.
“She’s always telling the middles it’s not so hard so let’s see how she goes. That middle role suits her really well.
“It shows how much depth we’ve got here and how much the next player is willing to step up.”
Boyle has not played a game of rugby league since the Central Coast Roosters failed to qualify for the finals in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership on April 8 but is confident players' match fitness will be up to speed in the series opener.
The HNWP wrapped up on April 27 while Queensland's BMD Premiership finished on May 13, leaving players from both Origin sides with limited gametime over the past month.
"Queensland are in the same boat, it’s not like they’ve played for the last month either," Boyle said.
"A lot of time off in terms of playing games but that’s where we’re at as a game at the moment. No one’s going to be disadvantaged by it and we’re all on an even playing field.
"The standard always lifts at Origin so the intensity will be there. Everyone’s excited and the energy is there. It’s the best time of the year."
Meanwhile, Boyle said she was looking to put her surprise departure from Newcastle behind her as she prepares to join the Sydney Roosters at the completion of the Origin series next month.
The three-time premiership winner captained the Knights to their maiden title in October.
“I’m feeling good, it’s just footy at the end of the day and I’m looking forward to getting into this Origin series,” she said.
“People don’t know how our contracts work and previously we were only on three-month contracts. I’m spending a lot of time down in Sydney doing various roles so it’s worked out better for me and my career long-term.
“I have a lot of interests outside of footy down in Sydney. We’re only part-time athletes and footy is only one thing, we’re not on the training paddock with our NRLW clubs 24/7 – it’s only a small chunk of the year.”
Asked whether she was squeezed out of the Knights squad due to salary cap pressure and given the club's premiership success last year, Boyle added:
“Possibly, but that’s where we’re at with the game at the moment and it shows how competitive all of the squads are and the first 6-7 players [signed]. You do what’s best for you and what’s going to work long-term.”
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