South Sydney's Maddison Studdon shed a tear when she received the unexpected call-up to captain NSW for the inaugural Women's State of Origin.
With star veteran Ruan Sims ruling herself out because of injury, the young halfback has been chosen to step up for the historic game at North Sydney Oval on June 22.
The women's match against Queensland gets the NRL's representative weekend under way, two days before Origin II at ANZ Stadium.
Studdon, 23, was blown away when coach Ben Cross gave her the news on Monday following the injury troubles to the team's most experienced player.
"He (Cross) called me to say I'd made the team again, but then he goes 'I've got some more news'," Studdon told AAP.
"I didn't expect anything but I was certainly overwhelmed and proud when he said I was going to be captain so I was trying to hold my tears in."
Although Sims, 36, won't be on the field, Studdon says she will provide invaluable support for the Blues when they go into camp on Sunday.
A long-time shining light for the sport, Sims broke her nose playing last weekend, adding to her injury woes after undergoing hand surgery on Thursday.
Her absence is a blow for NSW as they look to make it three-straight years of success against the Maroons after defeating them in the former Interstate Challenge.
Studdon will have Canterbury's Elianna Walton as her vice-captain, with the forward bringing up her 10th year in the NSW squad.
NSW squad:
Sam Bremner, Taleena Simon, Corban McGregor, Isabelle Kelly, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Lavina O'Mealey, Maddison Studdon (capt), Elianna Walton, Rebecca Riley, Simaima Taufa, Talesha Quinn, Kezie Apps, Vanessa Foliaki, Nita Maynard, Rebecca Young, Holli Wheeler, Hannah Southwell, Quincy Dodd.
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