Rima Butler is poised to make her State of Origin debut as Tiana Penitani Gray's knee injury compels New South Wales to reorganize their forward lineup ahead of game two.
The Sydney Roosters prop will take a seat on John Strange's bench as the Blues aim to secure the series with a win in Brisbane next Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Queensland is choosing to keep things steady, avoiding unforced changes as the series hangs in the balance, though Jasmine Peters is set to join the squad, replacing the injured winger Phoenix-Raine Hippi.
Penitani Gray had played the entire 70 minutes of NSW's narrow 11-6 win in the first game but has now succumbed to soreness and has been withdrawn from the team.
Veteran Kezie Apps will step up from the bench to take over an edge position, a role she has filled in 11 past Origin matches.
Butler, a 28-year-old who helped Newcastle secure the premiership in 2023, had been part of the extended squad for Origin I and will don jersey number 16 for her debut.
Aside from this change, the Blues remain unchanged.
Queensland's Hippi will miss Origin II due to a hamstring injury, with either Peters or Shenae Ciesiolka the frontrunners to step into the starting role.
Destiny Mino-Sinapati, the sole uncapped player within Queensland's 20-player roster, also remains a possible option.