Player profiles for Jillaroos World Cup 2017 final team

THE Jillaroos are desperate for back-to-back World Cups after breaking the Kiwi Ferns’ dominance last tournament. Here’s what you need to know about the players tasked with the job of winning.

Fiona Bollen and Rikki-Lee Arnold

4 min read

December 2, 2017 - 6:00AM

The Jillaroos take on New Zealand in the World Cup final on Saturday.

THE women’s World Cup decider is once again between the powerhouses of international rugby league, but the Aussies will be desperate for another win to stamp some more authority on the tournament.

New Zealand dominated the World Cup until 2013, when the Jillaroos finally came away victorious, taking the ledger to 4-1 in doing so.

Both sides have cruised through the group stage and finals, putting cricket scores on Cook Islands, England and Canada, PNG providing the toughest competition with a 38-0 loss to the Kiwis.

Jillaross co-captains Steph Hancock and Renae Kunst are retiring after the World Cup. Pic: Adam Head

This is the first real test of their credentials and it’s with everything on the line. Australia and New Zealand have both shown what they can do in attack, meaning this match could all come down to which side defends the best.

Australia coach Brad Donald has made a few changes to his side for the final. Here’s how the Aussies will line up, and

STARTING LINE UP

FULLBACK: Nakia Davis-Welsh

Stepping into the mighty big shoes of Sam Bremner, Davis-Welsh has held her own in the custodian role for the Jillaroos this World Cup. She’s made the second-most metres this World Cup with 461 from 34 runsand picked up three tries along the way.

Nakia Davis-Welsh. Pic:Mark Evans/Getty Images

WING: Karina Brown

The Queensland skipper has been on fire throughout this tournament, notching up six tries and impressing audiences with her incredible speed. It’s hardly a surprise though from someone as dedicated to the game as Brown, who has been working towards this moment since she missed selection for the 2013 World Cup final.

CENTRE: Corban McGregor

The NSW centre has quickly worked her way into the main 17 of the Jillaroos side after only taking up the game in 2014. She is absolutely lethal when she gets into open space and was one of the first women to sign a contract with an NRL club, aligning herself with the Cronulla Sharks last year.

CENTRE: Isabelle Kelly

Isabelle Kelly. Pic: AAP

Australia’s biggest metre maker this World Cup having tracked 529 throughout the tournament, Kelly has pace to burn and can finish a play. She’s crossed the stripe four times this World Cup and the Ferns will be sure to have a plan to contain her impact.

WING: Chelsea Baker

Baker debuted for the Jillaroos in 2015 and while she hasn’t had too many chances for her side in this year’s World Cup, she was always going to be here for the final. The Queenslander is reliable in defence and dangerous with the ball. Also handy as a back-up goalkicker to Caitlin Moran.

FIVE-EIGHTH: Ali Brigginshaw

Has flourished since pulling on the number six jersey this World Cup. A strong runner of the ball who has no qualms taking on the line, Brigginshaw has eight try assists for the World Cup as well as three four-pointers herself. Her combination with Caitlin Moran has been fruitful as the two cover the field together well and can create opportunities seemingly at will.

Ali Brigginshaw. Pic: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

HALFBACK: Caitlin Moran

From floating outside back to commanding with the ball and steering the Jillaroos around the park, it’s been a breakout tournament for Moran. An electric ball-player who can break the line with ease, her partnership with Brigginshaw in the halves presents a new threat for the Kiwi Ferns to negate, as they’ve not faced their ball-playing combination before.

PROP: Steph Hancock (C)

A fearless leader who tucks the ball under the arm and heads straight into the line. Hancock has been a mainstay of the Jillaroos and is playing in her swan song match, one that her teammates would no doubt love to send her out a winner in.

Steph Hancock. Pic: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

HOOKER: Brittany Breayley

A player who says she’s modelled her game on Cameron Smith and Issac Luke, Breayley has been a top performer throughout the World Cup. A player who is happy to take a run if it’s on offer, she can also spot the gaps, with four try assists this tournament.

PROP: Heather Ballinger

One of the most underrated players in the Australian side, Ballinger is a mainstay of the team and always gets the job done. The all-Queensland front row will be a massive force against the physical Kiwis but Ballinger combined with Hancock and Breayley is a combination that has passed many tests before.

Heather Ballinger. Pic: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

SECOND ROW: Renae Kunst (C)

A farewell final in her home state, a win in tonight’s decider would be the ideal way to bow out for Kunst. She played her first World Cup in 2008 and has experienced the highs and lows of it all, so expect a tireless effort from the second rower as she leads her team through example.

SECOND ROW: Kezie Apps

One of the most well known Jillaroos, Apps has talent overflowing and is relishing being back on the field after recovering from injury for much of the season. She broke her leg during the pre-season Auckland Nines but shows little sign of

Kezie Apps. Pic: AAP

LOCK: Samaima Taufa

The Dally M Female Player of the Year adds another tough edge to the Jillaroos starting 13. An absolute machine out on the field who lets nothing get in her way, Taufa will be looking to cap off her incredible representative year (Nines, mid-year Test and the interstate challenge) with the final trophy — the World Cup.

INTERCHANGE

Zehara Temara: A speedy half who can also tackle, Temara’s impact from the bench could be crucial in breaking through the Kiwis’ line.

Ruan Sims. Pic: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Ruan Sims: Captain courageous, Sims hits hard and plays without restriction. She’s another who puts her hand up for hit up and hit up and takes it straight into the line without concern.

Elianna Walton: Walton has been highly praised for her impact off the bench in this year’s World Cup and is easily one of the most powerful forwards in the game. Her grit and aggression will be key against the Ferns.