Jillaroos star Kezie Apps says NRLW has lifted standards for women’s game
IT has been a breakout year for women’s rugby league — and Jillaroos star Kezie Apps is expecting a much faster and tougher competition when Australia takes on the Silver Ferns.
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AUSTRALIAN second rower Kezie Apps is predicting a massive lift in the standard of both the Jillaroos and the Kiwis Ferns in Saturday’s Test match thanks to the new NRL women’s premiership.
Apps is expecting the game to be faster, players fitter and the match even more physical with both teams match fit and hardened by the inaugural NRL women’s competition.
The Test is the first time this year the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns have met and will be played alongside the Kangaroos and New Zealand men’s Test.
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“We at all going to be a lot more familiar with each other than before because of the (NRL) competition which will be interesting,” Apps said.
“We will see a real lift in the competition for sure.
“We are playing it at the end of the season off the back of the NRL premiership so the quality will have increased along with our fitness.”
The Jillaroos, who will be captained by Ali Brigginshaw in the absence of the injuries Sam Bremner, went through 2017 undefeated with their 10 wins including the women’s World Cup.
This losing run is expected to inspire the New Zealander as they play in front of a home crowd.
Of particular interest will be how well both teams cope with stepping up from the 30 minute half’s of the NRL women’s league to the 40 minute periods played in international football.
“Fatigue will definitely set in. We are used to 30 minutes half’s. That extra 10 minutes each half will be a killer,” Apps said.
“But the standard and the quality will last a lot longer.
“I feel this will be the best against the best and that it will be a contest the whole way though.”
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