IT still hurts.
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Forster's Kylie Hilder admits a last minute two point loss to Queensland in the women's rugby league State of Origin clash on the Sunshine Coast on June 25 still gives her sleepless nights. Hilder has been re-appointed coach of the Blues outfit and she's already plotting 2022.
"Mistakes cost us that game,'' she said.
"It was the one percenters. But we still only lost by two points.''
Queensland won the game via a controversial penalty goal in the 77th minutes to break a 6-6 deadlock.
The NRL will again keep the women's State of Origin to one-off, resisting a push to make it a three-game series. Hilder said the match would be played at a venue to be announced in June.
Queensland has won the last two games, both played on the Sunshine Coast.
"I've been to the Sunshine Coast for two years in a row. I don't ever want to go back."
However, enough looking at the past. Hilder said she's now concentrating on next year. The 2021 NRLW will be played over six weeks starting next February.
It was originally to be held in conjunction with the NRL finals series this year but was then put back to October when NSW went into lockdown.
But, the lockdown extension ruled this out, so it's now on in February. Hilder said the NRL had no other choice.
"The only way it could have gone ahead would have been for the players to go into a bubble. And the players aren't full-time, they have jobs, some have a family, so that wouldn't have worked,'' she pointed out.
At the conclusion she will name a 25 strong provisional squad for the Origin and has already booked in NSW greats including coach Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns to work with the players.
"This was my first year as coach so it was a learning curve.
"Next year will be about personal development. I've already booked in for a mentorship with (Roosters coach) Trent Robinson, while Freddie (Fittler) has been great.
"I'm determined to do everything I can to make myself a better coach.''
Hilder has an assistant coaching role with the Roosters for the NRLW.
The competition will be run over six weeks involving six clubs, including newcomers Gold Coast, Parramatta and Newcastle. Hilder believes it will be a great chance to showcase the women's game.
I'm determined to do everything I can to make myself a better coach
- Kylie Hilder
"My understanding is that all three games will be played at the one venue, with each club getting to host a round. Fox Sports will televise all the games."
The regular 2022 NRLW will be played later in the year. Hilder's first priority will be the Roosters in the NRLW before she turns all attention to the Origin match.