That's the to-the-point task Queensland will face when they tackle NSW and former Orange Hawk Vanessa Foliaki in the second women's State of Origin at North Sydney Oval on Friday night.

Foliaki was responsible for one of the biggest tackles in last year's inaugural origin clash and, again, with a physical game tipped for the fixture's second running the Mounties prop be on deck to lead the Blues' charge.

Foliaki, 25, will this year line-up as one of the more experienced players, too, alongside Simaima Taufa and skipper Kezie Apps, with coach Andrew Patmore naming a fresh-faced Blues side boasting seven debutants.

Patmore says the key for his NSW side on Friday night will be weathering the storm early with Queensland's hard-nosed pack, led by veterans Heather Ballinger and Steph Hancock, expected to come out firing in the early exchanges.

"That's our task at the beginning to make sure we're still in the game and moving the ball forward," he said, confident a NSW side minus Ruan Sims will be able to handle the big Maroons forwards.

"It's Origin, it's about the old basics. It's bringing players together that haven't played a lot together before.

"We've worked very hard at being one group and it's coming together."

It's a group Apps is thrilled to lead as well, Foliaki's NSW Country teammate named to skipper the side ahead of halfback Maddie Studdon.

"It was a massive shock," Apps said, looking back at being named skipper.

"It's a huge honour and I'm so privileged to make the side let alone be captain, it's special."

With the experience of a Ruan Sims overlooked for Friday night's clash, the responsibility to lead NSW will fall squarely on the shoulders of Apps, Taufa and Foliaki.

Taufa said the Blues are focused on keeping the middle tight and stopping the Maroons momentum, adding the Queensland pack is their strength.

Still, she says the entire NSW side was eagerly awaiting the second installment of the women's Origin game, which will again be televised live on Friday night.

"It's exciting to see how fast the women's game is growing," Taufa added.

Friday night's game kicks off at 7.45pm at North Sydney Oval.