The selection questions standing between the Jillaroos and the World Cup

“The seven that didn’t play tonight will play. You can guarantee that. There’ll be 10 others that will join them in the final. And I’ve got no doubt, whoever those 10 are that they’ll be able to do the job.

“We’ll review the game but we might have to play two fullbacks, two hookers and two halves. All the girls have been terrific and they understand it’s taken all of them to get this done.”

Donald also revealed Emma Tonegato would be in the squad after scoring three tries in a player-of-the-match performance at fullback on Tuesday (AEDT).

"Emma and I didn't know each other before this tournament and she's been an absolute pleasure to coach," he said. "And you can bet that she will be playing somewhere in the team going forward for the final."

Donald's statement has sparked debate over what Tonegato's selection will mean for co-captain Sam Bremner, who has played two out of the four games in that position, however, the Jillaroos selection crisis only just begins at No. 1.

Halves

Maroons representatives Ali Brigginshaw and Lauren Brown stand out as the two players battling it out for the halfback spot.

Both playmakers appear on the drawing board as must-be selections with their additional responsibilities in Brigginshaw’s co-captaincy and Brown’s goal-kicking duties and could even form a halves partnership.

While Brigginshaw looms as the obvious choice, after seeing the Jillaroos veteran produce arguably her best game of the tournament at lock in the semi-final, a halfback shake-up also isn't impossible.

With Tarryn Aiken named by Donald to return to the squad, it also seems obvious to put the Broncos playmaker down as the five-eighth. With four tries, five assists and a player-of-the-match honour, Aiken has emerged as one of the biggest stars to come out of this year's tournament, but her return to the side does leave a question mark next to the name of Taliah Fuimaono.

It’s been a strong tournament from the 23-year-old, who has four try assists from two games and looks settled at five-eighth after playing a number of roles for the Dragons in the recent NRLW season.

Forwards

If there’s anything Donald will want to get right, it’s his forward pack selection.

The Jillaroos’ will face a tough assignment when it comes to combatting the strength and physicality of Kiwi Ferns stars Amber Hall, Georgia Hale and Brianna Clark but Donald is not short of options on players who would be up to the task.

After being rested in the Jillaroos’ semi-final against Papua New Guinea, Donald ‘guaranteed’ we’ll see Apps, Taufa, Cherrington, Johnston and Mato at Old Trafford.

With Brown and Tonegato looking likely to reserve a spot on Australia’s interchange bench, few spots remain for forwards Keely Davis, Holli Wheeler, Shaylee Bent, Talisha Harden, Olivia Kernick and Yasmin Clydsdale to be competing for.

With Brad Donald already accepting the possibility of “playing two fullbacks, two hookers and two halves” some of the best forwards in women’s rugby league will inevitably be watching Sunday’s final from the sidelines.

Hooker

If she does miss out on a spot in the halves, Lauren Brown may return to the side at hooker, having played the first two games of the tournament at dummy half.

A dominant hooker who can goal-kick, Brown offers great versatility so could find herself among the forward pack in a dummy half or utility role.

If Donald can find a place for both of them in his side, Brown and Sky Blues hooker Keely Davis could form a dangerous one-two punch combination at hooker against the Ferns, with Davis impressing at hooker in the past two games.

Outside backs

Speed. Athleticism. Strike power. The Jillaroos boast some of the most destructive outside backs in the game. But Donald can't have them all in his side.

For the centres - well it almost wouldn't be the Jillaroos without Roosters pair Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis, who have bagged eight tries between them so far this tournament and also started against New Zealand last week.

As for the wingers, there's not much more Jaime Chapman could have done to prove she should be in the final 17, not to mention Julia Robinson who has bagged six tries in three games. 

In their first World Cup campaigns, Evania Pelite and Shenae Ciesiolka are also great edge choices and have provided plenty of strike power.

Fullback

This position has been subject to the most discussion after Emma Tonegato incredible performance at fullback against Papua New Guinea, which included a second-half hat-trick, three try assists and player-of-the-match honours.

However, after playing fullback in two of the four games to date, co-captain and Dally M Fullback of the Year Sam Bremner is likeliest to fulfil the coveted spot after scoring four tries in two games at this year's World Cup.

So what does this mean for Tonegato? After she was a late-call up to the squad following Tamika Upton's withdrawal, the 2021 Dally M Medallist has starred for the Jillaroos at both fullback and lock and could provide plenty of impact for the green and gold off the bench. 

Either way, it's clear that coach Brad Donald is spoilt for choice right across the park as the Jillaroos look to finish their World Cup campaign on a high.