Kelly gang spoilt for choice ahead of World Cup opener

With Tarryn Aiken and Jesse Southwell battling it out for the No.7 jersey and a trio of top-class No.9s in the mix for the hooking role, the Kelly Gang is stacked as they prepare to open their World Cup title defence against Fetu Samoa.

New Jillaroos skipper Isabelle Kelly knows the Aussie spine will be one of the most talented to ever take the field at a World Cup, and she can't wait to lead her team out at CommBank Stadium on Friday.

"We are really blessed with the calibre of the players we have in the halves,” Kelly told NRL.com. 

Southwell played alongside Ali Brigginshaw in Australia’s last game, the 40-8 win over New Zealand Ferns to claim the 2025 Pacific Championship. 

Brigginshaw was overlooked for this World Cup while Aiken missed last year’s Pacific tournament with a torn ACL. 

Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner has equipped her 23-player squad with another champion half in Jocelyn Kelleher (Roosters) as well as Tiana Penitani Gray (Sharks), who has played for NSW and Tonga in the halves.

In the hooking role, Keeley Nizza (Roosters), Olivia Higgins (Knights) and Quincy Dodd (Sharks) all bring different skills to the table as they chase a spot in the 17 for the tournament opener.

“Olivia has great experience from being around the game a long time, especially the big rep games, then you’ve got Keeley who has just won a premiership and Dally M Hooker of the Year, then Quincy, so it’s hard,” Kelly said. 

“But I’m really proud all these girls have stood up this year and made themselves World Cup players because pushing for spots is tough with the talent out there. 

“Either way I have full trust in the coaching staff (to make selections) and full trust in whoever runs out on that field.” 

One hurdle has been jumped already – the eight winning Roosters players joining the three losing Broncos (Southwell, Julia Robinson, Tamika Upton) in Jillaroos camp after the NRLW grand final just six days earlier. 

“It could be weird but for us last year, when we lost (to Broncos) and went into Pac Champs camp, there was an appreciation and respect for the feelings of others,” Kelly said. 

“It’s a unique experience but you’re coming together to a different team and into a different environment. Everyone is just so excited to play with each other. 

“For me, I love playing with Meeks (Upton). You get to understand how she works her magic and then there’s Robbo (Robinson) who is a freak of an athlete.” 

The clash between the Jillaroos and Fetu Samoa comes almost a year to the day since they met in the 2025 Pacific Championships, with Australia running in 11 tries in a 60-0 victory.

Samoa skipper Annetta Nuuausala has high hopes of a much stronger showing this time around and the presence of a premiership-winning Rooster only adds to the confidence.

“We are so fortunate to have Amber Hall come over and pledge allegiance to Samoa,” said Nuuausala, who made a similar journey to Samoa after the 2022 World Cup with New Zealand. 

“She a veteran of our game, who’s already taken part in two World Cups with the Kiwi Ferns.

“To have her by my side again is special. It helps bring that balance between our experienced players and the younger ones we are trying to teach.” 

There are nine new faces in the Samoan squad and senior players like Nuuausala will take it upon themselves to bring the ‘newbies’ into the fold. 

“There are stories behind these jerseys and it is in these camps that we get to connect our teammates and families by sharing those stories,” she said. 

After 13 Tests for the Ferns between 2016-22, Nu’uausala joined Samoa for the 2023 Pacific Championships, savouring a win over Fiji in Port Moresby in her first game in blue.

“My mum took my first jersey back to Samoa and it is hanging on the wall with pictures of my dad, who we lost before I went to the 2022 World Cup for New Zealand,” she said. 

“That played a huge part in my debut for Samoa in 2023... to honour my dad.”