Harvey Norman Jillaroos coach Brad Donald has named his squad for the 2024 Pacific Championships with Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Apps to lead the Australian team.
The Jillaroos launch their campaign against PNG Orchids in Brisbane on Friday October 18 before facing the Kiwi Ferns in Christchurch on October 27.
Four members of the NRLW champion Roosters side have been selected along with Sharks duo Tiana Penitani and Quincy Dodd.
Karyn Murphy Medallist Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly are the four Roosters picked.
Dodd is one of four potential debutants in the squad, alongside Abbi Church, Sara Togatuki and Olivia Higgins.
Brigginshaw and Apps have been named the co-captains, however both are under an injury cloud.
The Broncos veteran has undergone finger surgery while Apps hasn't played since Round 3 of the NRLW season after suffering a knee injury. Donald is confident both will be fit to line up for the Jillaroos.
"Yes she has but she's going to be fit," Donald said when asked about Brigginshaw's operation. "There's a couple of little niggles in the crew.
"There's a couple of players who will be playing in the Prime Minister's XIII [match] on [Sunday], Kezie is one of those."
Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick was a shock omission, with Donald opting for Apps and Mahalia Murphy as his preferred back rowers.
Murphy's selection caps a stunning return nine years after her first and so far only Jillaroos appearance.
The 30-year-old captained Parramatta to fifth place this season and was rewarded for her versatility in a limited squad.
"Mahalia is a fantastic player," Donald said. "She scored three tries in her debut for the Jillaroos at Suncorp Stadium in 2015. She gives us a bit more versatility, she's a back rower at the Parramatta Eels but she's played a lot of centre.
"She's had a terrific season, she's led the Parramatta Eels really well this year and it's great to see her back in the side."
Jillaroos Pacific Championships Squad
- Tarryn Aiken Sydney Roosters
- Kezie Apps (c) Wests Tigers
- Ali Brigginshaw (c) Brisbane Broncos
- Lauren Brown Gold Coast Titans
- Abbi Church Parramatta Eels
- Yasmin Clydsdale Newcastle Knights
- Quincy Dodd Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
- Millie Elliott Sydney Roosters
- Jessika Elliston Gold Coast Titans
- Olivia Higgins Newcastle Knights
- Keilee Joseph Brisbane Broncos
- Isabelle Kelly Sydney Roosters
- Shannon Mato Gold Coast Titans
- Mahalia Murphy Parramatta Eels
- Tiana Penitani Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
- Julia Robinson Brisbane Broncos
- Simaima Taufa Canberra Raiders
- Jess Sergis Sydney Roosters
- Sarah Togatuki Wests Tigers
- Tamika Upton Newcastle Knights
- Jakiya Whitfeld North Queensland Cowboys
