The stage is set for a Trans-Tasman showdown between two rugby league powerhouses but Jillaroos rookie Tarryn Aiken is adamant the Aussies “don’t fear anyone” ahead of a World Cup match five years in the making.
With chief playmaker Ali Brigginshaw rested from the Jillaroos' record 92-0 win over France on Monday, it was her Broncos halves partner Aiken who stepped up and ran the show in style, having a hand in several tries and crossing the line for one of her own.
When the Queensland representative was brought to the sideline with 20 minutes to go, it was clear coach Brad Donald had one eye on Friday's clash with the Kiwi Ferns, who finished runners-up to Australia in the 2017 World Cup.
“We don’t fear anyone,” Aiken said following her player-of-the-match performance.
“It’s obviously going to be a tough match-up but we’ve been waiting for them, we’re ready for them and we can’t wait to get out there and play them.
“The girls make it so easy, playing with the best players in the world."
Aiken named player of the match
The Jillaroos' win against France was the biggest in World Cup history, but even more impressive was the depth on show with Brigginshaw and fellow co-captains Sam Bremner and Kezie Apps all rested.
Centre Jaime Chapman debuted in style with three tries while lock Keilee Joseph (182 running metres) and back-rower Shaylee Bent (131 metres) also shone in their first match in green and gold.
In just her second game in the Australian jersey, Aiken staked her claim as a future Jillaroos halfback with a composed display that had Donald ‘awkwardly’ singing her praises while sitting by her side at the post-match press conference.
“It’s going to get awkward, but I’ve got to give her a massive wrap,” the coach said.
“With Ali not playing, one of the things we asked Tarryn to do was control the team and she really stepped up tonight and it was great to watch.
“She plays nice and square, fast and it was a really selfless performance."
Top spot in the pool goes on the line on Friday against the Kiwi Ferns but more importantly bragging rights heading into an expected showdown in the World Cup final on November 20.
While Donald said he doesn’t have “a best side”, the opportunity to rest players in their Round 2 match has put the highly-fancied Jillaroos in the best position to take on the Raecene McGregor-inspired Kiwis.
“I think you could pick anyone from the 24 and they’d perform similarly,” Donald said.
Match Highlights: New Zealand v Cook Islands
“We’re just going to keep taking it as it comes, we’ve got a couple of niggly ones tonight and we’ll rest those players in the next game.
“Talisha (Harden) played 80 minutes in the front row - I don’t think there’ll be another front-rower that will do that in the tournament - but that’s given us an opportunity to rest Caitlan Johnston.
“Shannon Mato only played 30 minutes tonight so she’ll play against the Kiwis.
“We’re in a really good place in terms of what team we roll out next week.”
With the Kiwi Ferns boasting a powerful forward pack that includes Georgia Hale, Amber Hall and Annette Nu'uausala, who ran for 161 metres against Cook Islands, Donald said defence will be a big focus in the Jillaroos' preparation this week.
Jess surges
“There wasn’t a great deal of opportunity to defend tonight but there were a couple of things we were working on,” he said.
“There’s a lot of post-contact metres in those Kiwi forwards so we’ve got to make sure we’re on our game defensively.
“But we’re really happy with the improvement we saw in our team against France and we’ll hopefully see that in four-days time as well.”