Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns preview

Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns: Nines upset adds intrigue

Author: Alicia Newton NRLW Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 25 Oct 2019, 05:09 PM

The Kiwi Ferns' upset win over the Jillaroos in the World Cup 9s final sets up an intriguing rematch in the longer form of the game at WIN Stadium on Friday night.

A total of 29 players set to play in the Test (14 for Australia, 15 for New Zealand) took part in the Nines less than a week ago with no love lost between the two nations following reports not a lot of hand-shaking took place after the final.

Kiwi Ferns centre Jules Newman delivered the first barb with a couple of heated exchanges towards Jillaroos players in the final and later labelled the Australians as cocky.

The Jillaroos haven't lost a Test match against the Kiwi Ferns since 2016 but were left chasing a win in the corresponding game last year with a late try through Australian centre Isabelle Kelly stealing a see-sawing 26-24 contest in Auckland.

Another close encounter is on the cards with the Kiwi Ferns closing the gap created by the Australians in recent years.

The Rundown

Team News

Round 2 - Round 2 - Friday 25 Oct

Full Time

Jillaroos

Kiwi Ferns

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Team Stats Play by Play

Jillaroos: The Jillaroos will line up 1-17 as named. Simaima Taufa had been in doubt with an ankle injury picked up in the NRLW but will take her place in the front row. Caitlan Johnston, Julia Robinson and Tiana Penitani joined the squad as cover this week but were not required.

Kiwi Ferns: The Kiwi Ferns are 1-17. Dragons forward Maitua Feterika is on the bench after she joined the squad for Aieshaleigh Smalley, who is sidelined by an ankle injury. Lavinia Gould withdrew from the squad due to personal reasons.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Friday 25 Oct

Full Time

Jillaroos

Kiwi Ferns

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Jillaroos is number 1 Corban McGregor

Fullback for Kiwi Ferns is number 1 Apii Nicholls
Winger for Jillaroos is number 2 Tiana Penitani

Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 2 Kiana Takairangi
Centre for Jillaroos is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 3 Honey Hireme
Centre for Jillaroos is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 4 Jules Newman
Winger for Jillaroos is number 5 Shakiah Tungai

Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 5 Atawhai Tupaea
Five-Eighth for Jillaroos is number 6 Kirra Dibb

Five-Eighth for Kiwi Ferns is number 6 Charntay Poko
Halfback for Jillaroos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw

Halfback for Kiwi Ferns is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

Prop for Jillaroos is number 8 Simaima Taufa

Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala
Hooker for Jillaroos is number 9 Keeley Davis

Hooker for Kiwi Ferns is number 9 Krystal Rota
Prop for Jillaroos is number 10 Millie Boyle

Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 10 Amber Hall
2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 11 Kezie Apps

2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 11 Onjeurlina Leiataua
2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 12 Annette Brander

2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 12 Crystal Tamarua
Lock for Jillaroos is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Lock for Kiwi Ferns is number 13 Georgia Hale

Interchange

Interchange for Jillaroos is number 14 Botille Vette-Welsh

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 14 Nita Maynard
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 15 Teuila Fotu-Moala
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 16 Holli Wheeler

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 16 Billy-Jean Ale
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 17 Tallisha Harden

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 17 Maitua Feterika

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated: 6/22/2022 6:00:14 AM

Key match-up

Dally M medallist Jess Sergis will have her hands full marking Honey Hireme-Smiler, one of the best players in the world, despite a breakout season of her own to claim best player honours in the recent NRLW competition. Hireme-Smiler missed the NRLW season due to her mother's passing and the time spent away ensures the Kiwi Ferns superstar has fresh legs for an 80-minute game.

For the Jillaroos to win

They'll need to find enough muscle in the middle to match the Kiwi Ferns forward pack. The international retirement of Heather Ballinger and omissions of experienced forwards Elianna Walton and Stephanie Hancock leave a void in the engine room. There will be a heavy reliance on emerging forwards Millie Boyle and Chelsea Lenarduzzi to fill the void.

Jillaroos call up a shock for Penitani

For the Kiwi Ferns to win

They need to stay aggressive. Their performance in the Nines final – albeit a shortened format – was a style that seemed to rattle the Jillaroos. Their forward pack is the strongest it's been for some time and the balance in the halves with ball-playing forward Georgia Hale at lock gives them options they haven't had in recent times.

Stat attack

The Jillaroos had nine extra carries out of dummy half for an additional 173 metres in an otherwise evenly-poised corresponding game last year. This area of the field will be crucial given there is no Brittany Breayley for the Australians this time around, while the Kiwi Ferns have Krystal Rota and Nita Maynard rotating around the ruck.

I'll bring you back a trophy': Hireme dedicates win to late mother

And another thing...

Only 10 players remain from each nation since last year's corresponding Test match in October, indicating a changing of the guard continues for both sides. Fatigue is expected to be a factor late with temperatures in the mid-30s predicted during the day in Wollongong.

Be there live at WIN Stadium for the Test Match Double Header. Visit nrl.com/tickets to purchase tickets.