NRLW 2023, Pacific Championships, Australia Jillaroos, New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, match highlights, injuries, coaches comments

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 14 Oct 2023, 05:34 PM

The Kiwi Ferns have pinned their faith in a new-look squad as they look to avenge a heavy defeat to the Jillaroos in last year's World Cup Final.

Losing to their arch-rivals on the game's biggest stage would have been painful enough but the 50-point margin at Old Trafford was the stuff of nightmares for Ricky Henry and his team.

Among the newcomers looking to make a mark in the Pacific Championships are NRLW rookie of the year Annessa Biddle and her Sharks teammate Brooke Anderson, along with Olympic gold medalist Tyla Nathan-Wong

Joining Biddle in the squad is Sharks teammate and hooker Brooke Anderson. Anderson is no stranger to representative rugby league, having represented the Māori All-Stars and NSW Sky Blues in 2023.

Olympic gold medallist and dual code star Tyla Nathan-Wong gets her first Kiwi Ferns selection after an impressive debut season in the NRLW while Wests Tigers duo Leianne Tufuga and Najvada George are also out to make an impression.

With Sam Bremner (retired) and Evania Pelite (knee) the only two players missing from the squad that put the Ferns to the sword in the Cup Final, the Jillaroos boast a powerhouse side that knows what it takes to win big games.

Week 1 - Week 1 - Saturday 14 Oct

Full Time

Jillaroos

Kiwi Ferns

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Highlights Latest

Team News

Jillaroos: A late switch with Titans hooker Lauren Brown promoted to the starting side and Shaylee Bent moving to 18th player. Knights superstar Tamika Upton makes her Test debut at fullback as part of a star-studded backline that includes World Cup winners Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Julia Robinson, Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw. The injury to Evania Pelite opens the door for Titans teammate Jaime Chapman to grab a wing spot while another Titan Jessika Elliston makes her Test debut at prop. Kezie Apps will co-captain the side along with Brigginshaw.

Kiwi Ferns: New Zealand will line up 1-17 with no late changes. Abigail Roache is the 18th player. Experienced campaigners Georgia Hale, Apii Nicholls and Mya Hill-Moana will look to lead the way with Raecene McGregor steering the ship from halfback. Broncos powerhouse Mele Hufanga is joined in the centres by Knights star Shanice Parker while Cronulla's rookie sensation Anessa Biddle makes her Test debut on the wing and Ashleigh Quinlan gets her first cap at five-eighth. The bench features four international newcomers in Rugby sevens gold medalist Tyla Nathan-Wong, Broncos forward Jasmine Fogavini, Rooster Amelia Pasikala and Wests Tigers lock Najvada George.

Week 1 - Week 1 - Saturday 14 Oct

Full Time

Jillaroos

Kiwi Ferns

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Jillaroos is number 1 Tamika Upton

Fullback for Kiwi Ferns is number 1 Apii Nicholls
Winger for Jillaroos is number 2 Jaime Chapman

Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 2 Annessa Biddle
Centre for Jillaroos is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 3 Shanice Parker
Centre for Jillaroos is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 4 Mele Hufanga
Winger for Jillaroos is number 5 Julia Robinson

Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 5 Leianne Tufuga
Five-Eighth for Jillaroos is number 6 Tarryn Aiken

Five-Eighth for Kiwi Ferns is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
Halfback for Jillaroos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw

Halfback for Kiwi Ferns is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

Prop for Jillaroos is number 8 Shannon Mato

Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 8 Mya Hill-Moana
Hooker for Jillaroos is number 9 Keeley Davis

Hooker for Kiwi Ferns is number 9 Brooke Anderson
Prop for Jillaroos is number 10 Jessika Elliston

Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 10 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 11 Kezie Apps

2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 11 Otesa Pule
2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 12 Olivia Kernick

2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 12 Laishon Albert-Jones
Lock for Jillaroos is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Lock for Kiwi Ferns is number 13 Georgia Hale

Interchange

Interchange for Jillaroos is number 14 Emma Tonegato

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 14 Tyla Nathan-Wong
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 15 Caitlan Johnston

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 15 Najvada George
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 16 Kennedy Cherrington

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 16 Jasmine Fogavini
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 18 Lauren Brown

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 17 Amelia Pasikala

Reserves

Replacement for Jillaroos is number 17 Shaylee Bent

Replacement for Kiwi Ferns is number 18 Abigail Roache

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 10/25/2023 6:16:02 AM

Stat Attack

The Kiwi Ferns' last win over the Jillaroos was a 26-16 triumph in Newcastle in 2016.
Jillaroos trio Julia Robinson, Jess Sergis and Evania Pelite were the equal top tryscorers at last year's World Cup with seven tries each.
Isabelle Kelly and Sam Bremner share the record for most tries in Tests for the Jillaroos with 14.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.