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NSW Women's State of Origin skipper Kezie Apps has been given the all clear to return to the field for Friday night's game against Queensland.
NSW skipper Kezie Apps has been cleared to make her return to the field in Friday night's women's State of Origin clash.
The St George Illawarra second-rower has overcome an MCL injury she sustained in the NRLW to be named to lead the Blues against Queensland.
It will be five weeks since Apps was injured against Brisbane, with centre Isabelle Kelly also named for the Blues after suffering a syndesmosis in the same game.
The pair are welcome inclusions for NSW who have claimed the past two Origin victories at North Sydney Oval but will go into enemy territory for the first time.
This year's clash will be held at the Sunshine Coast for the first time with the Maroons desperate to reclaim the shield on home soil.
Dally M Medallist and Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw has been named at lock for the Maroons, with Tarryn Aiken and Zahara Temara to start in the halves.
They join a new-look Queensland backline which includes Broncos premiership winners Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson, Shenae Ciesiolka and Lauren Brown.
Queensland: 1. Tamika Upton, 2. Shenae Ciesiolka, 3. Julia Robinson, 4. Lauren Brown, 5. Karina Brown, 6 Tarryn Aiken, 7. Zahara Temara, 8. Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 9. Brittany Braeyley, 10. Stephanie Hancock, 11. Tallisha Harden, 12. Tazmin Gray, 13. Ali Brigginshaw, 14. Rona Peters, 15. Annette Brander, 16. Shannon Mato, 17. Shaniah Power, 18. Jessika Elliston, 19. Chante Temara 20. Briana Clark.
NSW: 1. Botille Vette-Welsh, 2. Jessica Sergis, 3. Tiana Penitani, 4. Isabelle Kelly, 5. Shanice Parker, 6. Corban McGregor, 7. Melanie Howard ,8. Simaima Taufa, 9. Keeley Davis, 10. Millie Boyle, 11. Kezie Apps (c), 12. Shaylee Bent, 13. Hannah Southwell, 14. Quincy Dodd, 15. Filomina Hanisi, 16. Sarah Togatuki, 17. Yasmin Meakes ,18. Brydie Parker, 19. Kennedy Cherrington, 20. Kylie Hilder.