'The job is not done': Assistant coach Ruan Sims reveals the lesson the Blues learned to avoid repeating errors of the past

New South Wales will be looking to avoid repeating mistakes of the past in game two as the team looks to take out the series in front of a home crowd.

Like last season, the Blues claimed the first win of the series in enemy territory but in 2024 their campaign did not unfold how many were hoping.

A six-point lead at half time in the second match last year dissolved in the final 35 minutes as the Maroons surged back to win via a Lauren Brown field goal.

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The Maroons went on to lift the Women's State of Origin shield in Townsville with a comprehensive 22-6 victory over the Blues.

Blues captain Isabelle Kelly admitted the pain of last year's series makes it undesirable to look back at but Ruan Sims believes it has helped shape and prepare the team for 2025.

"It's happened. When things like that happen you just need to take the lessons out of it and move on," the Blues assistant coach told Wide World of Sports.

"It's a new year, there are a lot of different personnel in place.

"We were really happy with game one but we identified a lot of areas that we could be better at.

"It's going to be a genuine arm wrestle. It's just going to be who can go the deepest and the longest. It's why everyone loves Origin. It's the best of the best putting themselves against each other from the kick off until the final whistle.

"We've had a really good preparation but it's also been very clear that the job is not done. We've still got two more games of football, we are very clear on that, we need to go and play.

"Queensland have nothing to lose, their backs are up against the wall. You can't ever write them off."

Watch the 2025 Women's State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.

The ability to handle the challenges that come with wet weather conditions proved difficult in last year's series - with a chance of rain again on the forecast for game two.

If the wet weather is to impact game two or three this season, Brad Fittler believes the tide could turn for Queensland.

"I reckon the conditions last year, the second game was up in Newcastle, lots of rain," the former men's NSW Blues coach said on Nine's Freddy and the Eighth.

"(NSW) are a very talented team. You look at our centres, they are in unreal form. Getting the ball to Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis just makes us so much stronger because they just win tackles.

"I think it will play more into our hands if it's drier."

Queensland veteran Ali Brigginshaw issued a warning to the Blues to be ready to face an improved Maroons outfit in game two as Queensland look to force a tiebreaker for game three in Newcastle.

The skipper's comments were not unexpected for Sims or new Blues coach Strange, who both recognised that was the mentality both sides should be showing.

"I'd expect nothing less," Sims said.

Strange stated: "We've still got a lot of hard work in front of us.

"They are going to be desperate as we would (also) be if we lost game one. When you're desperate, you play a different style.

"We've spoken a bit about that but there is a heavy focus on us and what we need to do to continue what we did in game one."

Although Strange was confident in his team's preparations, Kelly dismissed suggestions that 'the hard part is over' for NSW after stealing a game away from home.

"I wouldn't definitely wouldn't say that about the Queenslanders," Kelly replied.

"I've been around for a while now and I know how they can play and how they can come out. We know (game two) is going to be really tough.

"It is at home but I don't think that changes much, to be honest. They are going to come out firing because it is do or die for them... and we are ready to ride that wave.

"I think we can get the job done."