Very rarely will you hear a captain or coach come forward and profess favouritism (at least publically), with interviews in the lead-up to the game laced with quotes downplaying their side's chances.

Whether it's 'flying under the radar' or claiming the opposition are in the box seat, the default position seems to always be modest and self-effacing.

That's very much the case for the NSW women's team, despite heading into the 2017 Interstate Challenge with the Nellie Doherty Cup in their possession for the first time.   

After 17 years of disappointment, the Blues finally got one over their Queensland counterparts with a narrow 8-4 victory at Cbus Super Stadium last July.

NSW captain Ruan Sims, from Gerringong, played her part in the memorable victory – which she described as a "surreal moment" – but is adamant her side will have it all to do again when they clash with Queensland at WIN Stadium on July 23.

"I feel like we are the underdogs going into it," Sims said to NRL.com.

"Queensland's history is just so rich and so dominant, they were the leading light of rugby league for such an extended period. 

"I feel like we're still trying to prove ourselves and find our feet."

As Sims continued to discuss the make-up of the NSW squad though, it was clear that this is one of the more impressive sides the Blues have fielded in the history of the contest.

Boasting eight current Jillaroos representatives, Ben Cross's charges will be bolstered by the inclusion of 2016 Dally M Female Player of the Year Kezie Apps, who has recovered well after breaking her leg at the Auckland Nines in February.

Apps missed the Jillaroos' Test win over the Kiwi Ferns in Canberra in May, a night in which young outside back Isabelle Kelly announced her arrival on the representative scene.

Kelly played on the wing for Australia, but will move inside to form a potent edge combination that will have Queensland on notice.

"She's going to be phenomenal, she's already an amazing talent," Sims said of her teammate Kelly to NRL.com.

"She's just such an athlete and a competitor, her footy skills are increasing every single day, I'm so glad she's on my side.

"Outside of her is a young girl called Jess Surgis, the two of them are almost identical moulds of each other.

“I really feel like Kezie, Izzy and Jess on that edge are really going to cause a lot of trouble for Queensland."