Kelly named for women's Origin II after horror injury

Queensland winger Julia Robinson contacted Kelly with her elbow just before half-time of the Maroons' 18-10 win on June 1, leaving Kelly struggling for breath on the ground and coughing up blood.

Even as she was confined to a hospital bed, the Sky Blues refused to give up hope Kelly could play in the series-deciding Game II at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Kelly was cleared of a throat fracture and Robinson was ruled out of the match through suspension.

On Saturday, Hilder named her in the team to face the Maroons on June 22, when the Sky Blues must win by nine or more points per the series' points-aggregation system.

"Hilder (is) set to give her every chance to prove her fitness to take her place on the Sky Blues' left edge," an NSWRL statement read.

The mentor is sticking solid with Newcastle's Southwell despite a quiet performance in the series opener in which she unseated Brad Fittler as the state's youngest-ever Origin debutant.

Southwell shifts to halfback in place of Parramatta recruit Rachael Pearson, who drops out of the extended side altogether.

Fuimaono was rushed into the centres for Game I after a last-minute injury to Tiana Penitani but now finds herself in her preferred five-eighth position in place of Southwell.

The Sky Blues welcome Penitani and Simaima Taufa from their respective hamstring and shoulder injuries, with the latter forcing Brooke Anderson out of lock.

Parramatta teenager Cassey Tohi-Hiku comes into the side as 18th player and could earn a possible Origin debut.

NSW'S STATE OF ORIGIN TEAM:

Emma Tonegato, Jaime Chapman, Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Tiana Penitani, Taliah Fuimaono, Jesse Southwell, Kezie Apps, Keeley Davis, Millie Boyle, Olivia Kernick, Yasmin Clydsdale, Simaima Taufa, Quincy Dodd, Kennedy Cherrington, Sarah Togatuki, Shaylee Bent, Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Brooke Anderson.