NSW insist they will not be daunted as the weather forecast predicts more rain for the decider of the inaugural three-match women's State of Origin series.
In the words of NSW centre Jess Sergis, the sides were like "pigs in the mud" as torrential rain teemed down during game two in Newcastle earlier this month.
After the whistle sounded on Queensland's 11-10 win, frustrated NSW coach Kylie Hilder admitted rain had prevented the Sky Blues from playing their brand of football.
The conditions had made it difficult for the Sky Blues to activate their all-star outside backline, which had been key to victory in the series opener.
"To explain it to everyone, I was saying we were literally pigs stuck in the mud," Sergis said ahead of Thursday's decider in Townsville.
"That's what it felt like, running around, stomping and there was water coming to your thighs.
"I've never played in conditions like that before."
Newcastle's men's team were forced to contend with similar conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium in April, when rain reached biblical levels in a 30-10 defeat of St George Illawarra.
The turf isn't likely to be as sodden at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, which was constructed with a drainage system fit for Townsville's tropical climate.
But rain is nevertheless predicted in Townsville on the evening of game three and the two days prior.
The Sky Blues' experience in Newcastle, and their extended stay in Townsville before kick-off, reassured the side.
"We can get a lot of confidence out of actually playing in it (the rain in Newcastle)," co-captain Kezie Apps told AAP.
"The wetter conditions did slow us down a little bit more, especially around the ruck and our play-the-balls were pretty slow.
"Hoping for drier conditions so we can play to our strengths and play to what we're really good at - playing nice and fast.
"But it's going to rain a little bit (before the game) so we'll be training in it, so we can prepare."
In game two, NSW halfback Rachael Pearson twice slipped over kicking from the tee, the second time attempting a conversion that could have won the game.
The Sky Blues' game-managing half has since invested in boots with screw-in metal studs, confident there'll be no issues if she needs to contend with wet turf again.
"We're sort of prepared for everything," Pearson told AAP.
"Obviously in the wet, your kicking game is huge. For me, I'm just going to try and stay on my feet and not slip over twice."
