From blue and gold to green and gold: Taufa ready to lead Next Gen Jillaroos

One of only five survivors from the triumphant 2017 international campaign, veteran prop Simaima Taufa said she is ready to lead the next generation of Jillaroos to World Cup glory.

Taufa's selection came just days after leading Parramatta in a disappointing grand final defeat but the Eels skipper said she's ready to swap the blue for the green and finish her 2022 campaign on a high.

“Although I’m still hurting in my heart about that game, there’s a positives to come out of it and that’s more opportunity to try and represent that green and gold jersey," Taufa told NRL.com

“You’ve got to take everything in life as an opportunity. The grand final was an opportunity and I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity now to play in my second world cup.

“There must be something special about that gold."

The 28-year-old prop has emerged as one of the NRLW’s most devastating middle forwards and will now have an even bigger role to play for Australia following Millie Boyle’s withdrawal.

Despite co-captain Kezie Apps being the only other remaining forward from the 2017 campaign, Brad Donald’s middle pack will no doubt be in good hands after Taufa averaged 163 metres and 35 tackles per game this year.

“An opportunity to play with incredible women from 2017 to the new crop of women who have bred through the NRLW, it’s pretty exciting. Rather than being opponents, you're team-mates,” Taufa told NRL.com.

“I don’t fear any of my opponents, I admire them. Particularly Caitlan Johnston and Emma Tonegato, I really admire them as players and I can’t wait for the opportunity to line up alongside them.

“I’m really looking forward to adjusting and getting to know the feel of each other’s games; how they run their lines, when they want the ball, if they’re early or late runners.”

Making Taufa's 2022 NRLW season even more impressive was the fact she  battled the pain of a broken thumb, but after a “miraculous recovery” she heads to England fit and ready to face the Cook Islands on November 3.

“After I broke it in the first round of the season, I knew it was a risk to continue playing each week but I was content with whatever the outcome was," she said.

“You’ve just got to hope for the best in those situations and I was blessed to not require surgery and it’s miraculously healed itself.

“But that’s not unique to the women’s game. Many girls have played busted and will do whatever it takes for the jersey.”