Bo back in frame for Jillaroos after stunning return from knee injury

Wests Tigers co-captain Botille Vette-Welsh has forced her way into consideration for a recall to the Harvey Norman Jillaroos squad to play the Kiwi Ferns in end of season Tests after missing the 2022 NRLW season with a ruptured ACL.

Vette-Welsh was the Australian fullback before being ruled out of last year’s World Cup by the knee injury and after spending more than 12 months on the sidelines she has made a stunning return with the new NRLW franchise.

The 26-year-old, who has played fullback and five-eighth for Wests Tigers, has produced six try assists – second only to Sydney Roosters playmaker Tarryn Aiken – and averages 102 metres running with the ball per match.

With the Jillaroos winning the World Cup last November, coach Brad Donald doesn't expect many changes for the October 14 double-header at QCB Stadium, which will also feature the Gallagher Kangaroos taking on Toa Samoa.

However, Sam Bremner’s retirement will force the Australian selectors to choose a new fullback and Donald confirmed that Vette-Welsh was in contention to regain the Jillaroos No.1 jersey.

“There are a couple of players from last year’s World Cup squad who have injuries or have retired but all of those girls who did a wonderful job at the World Cup last year are playing pretty well so it’s going to be hard to go past them,” Donald said.

“There are definitely some new names that will get thrown up and the selectors will have a hard time going through them all.

“Bo was the incumbent fullback before her ACL injury and she has been playing well since she came back this season. Bo is also a leader and good person for the culture of the team.”

Among the new faces pushing for selection are Dragons fullback Teagan Berry, who has scored nine tries in five matches this season, Wests Tigers prop Sarah Togatuki and Gold Coast Titans front-rower Jessika Elliston.

“Sarah has been fantastic for Wests Tigers too, and she and Jessika Elliston only just missed out on selection in the squad for the World Cup,” Donald said.

“Jess got injured in the Prime Minister’s XIII game, which eliminated her from the possibility of being selected for the World Cup, but those two have really stepped it up this season to show that they could be part of the squad.

“Teagan Berry has been fantastic and is no doubt knocking on the door for a rep jersey; it is just that she plays in one of the most keenly contested positions when it comes to competition for spots.

“You have got players like Evania Pelite, Corban Baxter and Emma Tonegato, who played a number of positions at the World Cup last year and played well, as well as Bo, but Teagan is a player of the future, no doubt.”

The Jillaroos have only played at home once since the 2017 World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium and Donald said the Tests in Townsville and Melbourne were an opportunity for the players to showcase their talents to Australian fans.

“It is great to have the opportunity to play at home,” Donald said. “You have only got to see what everybody got to experience with the Matildas recently.

“It was awesome that we got to play in front of 30,000 or 40,000 English supporters at Old Trafford. That was a massive surprise to see how accepted the game is over in England.

“But these Tests will be a great opportunity to get the eyeballs of everyone at home on the team and they will be doing their best to make sure the matches are entertaining and the Jillaroos put their names up in lights even more.”