NRLW 2023: Expansion creates Jillaroos selection headaches for Pacific Championship games
The Jillaroos perfectly swept the 2021 World Cup, but an influx of new talent across the NRLW could force a massive shift at the top of the women’s game.
NRLW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An expanded NRLW competition has fresh talent banging down the door to play for the Jillaroos in two end of season games announced on Wednesday.
Australia coach Brad Donald admits he will find it hard to replace any of the World Cup winning squad for Pacific Championship games to be played against New Zealand in October, but the next six weeks could force his hand.
Experienced halfback and Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw has steered the Broncos to two straight wins now after helping Queensland to a State of Origin win at lock, but she faces a push from rising talent Kirra Dibb (Cowboys), Zahara Temara (Raiders) and Jesse Southwell (Knights) to maintain her No.7 jersey.
The retirement of fullback Sam Bremner has also left a hole to be filled for the end of season games, with Corban Baxter (Roosters), Tamika Upton (Knights), Emma Tonegato (Sharks) and Teagan Berry (Dragons) all to be considered.
“The World Cup squad did an immaculate job last year, it was a seamless campaign, and 14 of those girls were debutants, the average age of those girls about 23.5, so it was really young for a national team,” Donald said.
“Even if you had to choose 19 or 20 for the upcoming series, you’d struggle to not back any of the girls who played last year.
“But if you look over the years there’s always new faces with numbers and position changes, and it’s a great headache to have.
“There’s about six fullbacks setting the competition alight at the moment who are eligible to play for Australia.
“As well as Ali there’s Kirra Dibb, Zahara Temara, there’s a number of them there who are Jillaroos.
“Lauren Brown (Titans) played there in the World Cup, and Taliah Fuimaono too.
“There’s so many great players. It’s testament to what everyone has been putting into the games, giving it the big push it deserves and we’re finally starting to reap the rewards now with some unbelievable players. You could pick two really strong national sides and there’ll still be rep players who miss out.”
The Roosters, Knights, Raiders and Titans are top of the NRLW ladder heading into round five and could expect big representation for the Pacific Championships, which will feature teams from New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, PNG and the Cook Islands.
A Prime Ministers’ XIII game in September will be Donald’s last chance to decide his Australian team before the championships.
It’s all in preparation for the 2026 World Cup which could look vastly different from the Jillaroos side that went undefeated throughout the last tournament.
“If you’re looking at 2026, you need to make sure the team has experience,” Donald said.
“You lose one of the captains straight away in Sam, but Kezie (Apps) and Ali (Brigginshaw) are still playing and playing good footy. As the game’s moved from totally amateur to semi professional now these girls have a lot more longevity in their game.
“We’ve got all of this young talent come through at 18 or 19, we’re seeing these top players continually stand up.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRLW 2023: Expansion creates Jillaroos selection headaches for Pacific Championship games
NRLW Tackle: Rooster’s injury blow; star banned for season
The Roosters’ injury woes have worsened with one of their rep playmakers suffering a suspected AC joint injury. Plus, a Raiders enforcer has been hit with a suspension for a horror hip drop. THE NRLW TACKLE.
‘Embarrassed’ Soward opens up on shock Dragons exit
Jamie Soward revealed the hardest part about his Dragons axing was telling his daughter he’d lost his job. Hear from the club legend as he opens up on the disappointment of his shock dismissal, as well as his future coaching plans.