Despite a string of injuries following last week’s bruising encounter, Town Blues head coach Clive Nicholas says his side is ready and confident for today’s second leg of the Cook Islands Rugby League (CIRL) State of Origin series against the Country Maroons.

The Blues stunned the Maroons 46-28 last Saturday in a hard-fought match that remained neck and neck for much of the 80 minutes.

But the victory came at a cost, with several key players — including the captain — ruled out of today’s match due to injury.

“Preparations have been good. With the win, we've got some injuries out of it, but we've got a lot of back up,” Nicholas told Cook Islands News yesterday.

“Some boys that didn't get to play the first game, they're going to be playing this game. So yeah, but spirits have been good.”

The Town Blues’ captain, who led from the front last week, is one of five changes to the starting lineup today.

“Our captain won't be playing since he's injured,” Nicholas confirmed. “So five boys have been changed from the lineup last week.”

However, Nicholas remains optimistic, pointing to the depth of the squad and the energy of returning players. Among them is speedster Nathan Nabou, who is expected to bring some firepower out wide.

“We've brought back Nathan. Nathan was one of the fastest guys on this island. He'll be playing this week.”

The commanding leadership of Mafu Kalas, who Nicholas says is once again vital to the team’s structure, bolstered the Blues’ dominant performance last Saturday.

“Well, he plays the role of that kind of leadership so it's a must that he plays the way he plays,” Nicholas said.

“If we don't have someone that can direct the team the way he did, then we won't be able to get away like we did.”

Reflecting on the first leg, Nicholas acknowledged that the win was hard-earned and far from easy.

“The game came with a struggle. It wasn't one-way traffic. Country hit us and then we scored and the boys went to sleep and then they scored twice, the Country boys came through.”

With Country looking to bounce back today, Nicholas expects a fierce response.

“Well, I know the coach really well and I know a lot of them players. They're not going to let that happen again this week,” he said.

“As much as we want to win everything easily, I don't think that’s going to happen. I'm confident that they're going to come back firing.”

“It’s up to us to see if we can put another level on our plane from last week.”

A win today for the Blues will see them seal the three-match Origin series, but Nicholas said there’s more at stake than just lifting the trophy.

“If we get lucky, obviously the trophy will be sealed. But in good old-fashioned time, island rivalry and island competition comes down [to] who wins the last game. We might go home with the trophy, but it's about winning that third one. Winner takes all.”

With game day here, Nicholas urged all the supporters to come out and support the team.

Kick-off is set for this afternoon, and with both sides fired up, fans can expect another classic in this year’s Origin showdown at Nukupere Park, Muri at 3pm for the U16 followed by the Open Mens at 4pm.