'A relay race': Jillaroos carry baton with pride

Harvey Norman Jillaroos veteran Simaima Taufa has carried the Australian coat of arms on her jersey throughout her decade-long international career. 

It hasn't always been that way, with the emblem only added to the jersey in 2014 after lengthy campaigning from leading women's players and former Kangaroos skipper Gordon Tallis.

Having seen what the addition of the coat of arms meant to the senior players in the squad, Taufa quickly learnt of the importance of building on the foundation of what came before and laying a foundation for the next generation. 

It's a responsibility she's carried throughout her career and one she's shared with her teammates as they look to make the most of their brief time in a Jillaroos jumper. 

"We're all quite aware we wouldn't be where we are today without the foundation being laid," Taufa said. "I think of it like a relay race. We're the players holding on to the baton now [to pass to] the next generation of girls to carry on the history of this jersey and what we do as a playing group. 

"The only way the history gets passed on is if we continue to talk about it and remind the girls of where the jersey first started and the hope we have for this jersey to continue on well beyond our time here."

After celebrating the past last week, the Jillaroos have spent the buildup to Sunday's showdown with New Zealand focused on the present. 

It's a mindset that has seen the side turn their full attention to this weekend while discussing their place as custodians in the jumper. 

The current generation has already paved the way for the next crop of talent, helping women's rugby league grow from an amateur sport to a semi-professional and soon to be professional one.

The senior players in the squad were at the forefront of the establishment of the NRLW, the Jillaroos hatching a five-year plan to introduce the elite women's competition at the 2017 World Cup.

That plan was quickly fast tracked, with the NRLW established just one year later and growing rapidly since. It will expand to 12 teams next season and player wages will take another giant step forward. The minimum wage in 2025 will be $41,800.

Women's State of Origin was played as a three-game series for the first time this year and the Jillaroos are preparing to take on England in a historic Las Vegas Test match next March. 

Australian co-captain Ali Brigginshaw has been at the forefront of the growth, developing into a leading advocate for women's rugby league since her international debut in 2009. 

The veteran learnt the importance of continuing to push for respect and opportunities from the leaders in her formative years and she praised the NRL for their willingness to work with the players to grow the women's game.

"The NRL has given us these opportunities to play in the Pacific Championships, to play in the World Cup, to go to Vegas," Brigginshaw said. "Without their support we wouldn't be able to do any of it.

"Without the past players fighting those battles, without players in here fighting those battles, we wouldn't be able to pull on the jersey in the places we do. 

"I'm grateful for these opportunities because I remember what it was like back when we were playing in New Zealand with street lights lighting up the field. Now we're running out on to a packed stadium. 

"It's unbelievable where it's gone and there are so many people that have worked so hard to get there."

On the field, the Australian women have won the past three World Cups, however they are still stinging from a shock loss to the Kiwi Ferns in Melbourne last year. 

Sunday's match marks their first shot at redemption before the sides likely face off again in Sydney in the Pacific Championships final on November 10. 

While the silverware will be on the line next month, the priority this week is on securing a victory at a sold-out Apollo Projects Stadium. 

The growth of women's rugby league and its present status among fans can be best represented by the scrutiny over the squad selected to compete in the tournament. 

A number of big names were omitted, headlined by Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick, sparking intense debate among fans and commentators over the decision. 

Jillaroos coach Brad Donald copped much of the heat but views it as a sign of the game's growing importance.

"The reason it's a positive is because the national team selection should bring that emotional attachment for our followers," he said. "There should be people asking questions about making sure the right people are in the team. 

"I accept that responsibility and think it's great the criticism comes. It means people are watching and are emotionally attached. It just blows my mind. Back in 2017 we had a couple of captains that got dropped from the side and I don't think anybody would've known. Here we are seven years later, to see the amount of commentary around it is fantastic."