The battle for a place in the Jillaroos World Cup squad is set to heat up next week as the NRLW season shapes as the last chance for players to put their hand up for selection.
With the Rugby League World Cup being staged across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October, the upcoming NRLW fixtures will provide national selectors the chance to see some of the best players in action across the competition.
The opening game of the 2026 season will kick off on Thursday, July 2, with the Sharks hosting the Knights at Ocean Protect Stadium. Tickets can be found HERE.
For Australian Jillaroos and Women's Indigenous All Stars coach Jess Skinner, the recent State of Origin series showcased a lot of emerging talent across the game, with the recent eligibility changes also opening up more opportunities for players.
“It was a good series, congratulations to New South Wales. I thought that Crossy (Queensland coach Nathan Cross) is obviously building something there really special in Queensland as well, I could really see them have their gloves up," Skinner said.
“It wasn't to be, just a bit more experience on the New South Wales team (to get the job done).
"But it was great to see women's rugby league back and all the clubs in their pre-season.
“It feels like it's been a long time between games, but at the same time, it's been busy for rugby league."
As the reigning champions, the Jillaroos will be looking to defend their Cup on home soil, with Skinner saying the upcoming competition would provide a great base for players to put their hand up for representative selection at the end of the year.
“The girls will go into club (and) there's plenty of football to be played and selectors will be out and about to name a World Cup team at the end of the year," Skinner said.
“We'll head into camp, as all the other countries will, in October.
“We'll start prepping for Samoa once we're in camp.
"As for now ... it's just letting the players be in their clubs and get some really good footy under their belt."
Facing off against Samoa, England and Wales in the group stages, Australia will be hoping to take on traditional rivals New Zealand during the finals, with some familiar faces set to be in their midst.
The recent international eligibility and tier changes in the women's game have seen players like Shannon Mato and Kennedy Cherrington switch their allegiances to the Kiwi Ferns, with Skinner welcoming the development.
“I think the rules are great for the international game to spread talent," Skinner said.
“I think that if girls want to play for other nations and also play for their state, that's a great thing for the women's game and the growth.
“We’ve had Shannon who has done a great job for us in the jersey and Kennedy, who's done a fantastic job as well for the Jillaroos.
“They have their ties to their Māori heritage and as a Māori woman too, I understand where they're coming from.
“So, I know it's not a reflection of our program, but more something deeper for those girls and I am super happy and excited and wishing them all the best this year and (hope) they can achieve a goal that they've set for themselves.
“For us as Jillaroos, it's every girl that is eligible for Australia, every jersey is up for grabs.
“I know there's a lot of girls in the game that want to play in the jersey and I'm excited to see the squad that comes into the camp at the end of the year to get that World Cup back for Australia."
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With plenty of football still to come, Skinner said the opportunity was there for a breakout performer to earn their place in the World Cup team alongside established stars who have a proven track record in the green and gold.
“Every jersey is up for grabs, no one owns a jersey," Skinner said.
“There's a lot of exciting young girls that debuted in the State of Origin game that already put their hand up ... but there's a lot of footy between now and the end of the year.
“Injuries play a part in that as well. We'll see some players that returning back from injury, hopefully have a good season that have been in the jersey before, but every jersey is up for grabs.
“We'll be taking a team that's in good nick and putting their hands up and had a great season.
“I have no doubt we'll have the strongest team we possibly can at the end of the year."
Skinner was also looking forward to the opportunity to continue to lift the profile not only of the Jillaroos and women's rugby league, but of women's sport in general.
“It's so exciting to have a home tournament and across New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, some of the biggest fans of the game," Skinner said.
“For us to be able to have a home World Cup, it's so exciting for the women's game.
“In 2017, it was such a pivotal moment for the Jillaroos.
“From that came the NRLW.
“We know that this World Cup is an opportunity to reset ourselves and have a look at where the game's at and play our role as the green and gold and elevate women in sport."
Match: Australia v Samoa
Round 1 -
home Team
Australia
away Team
Samoa
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
