NRL 2025: Vegas, Jillaroos, England; Stars welcome appointment of Jess Skinner as new Test coach

Jess Skinner has done a long apprenticeship across the game before her appointment as Jillaroos coach.

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 8 Feb 2025, 10:08 AM

Jillaroos players have welcomed the appointment of Jess Skinner as coach of the Australian team for the historic Test against England in Las Vegas after a long apprenticeship in all levels of the game.

Skinner, who has been on the Harvey Norman Jillaroos coaching staff since the 2022 World Cup, will take over from Brad Donald, who stood down after a long tenure in which he oversaw the rise of women’s rugby league and a decade of Australian domination.

Donald had been preparing for Skinner to eventually replace him, and she has proven herself by coaching the Indigenous All Stars to victory last year, taking charge of the Prime Minister’s XIII and working in the NRLW with the Knights.

She has also previously been in charge of the First Nations Gems and NRL Indigenous Women's Academy development programs.

“It’s a reward for how hard Jess has worked within the program – not only in the All Stars and the pathways for young First Nations players but with the Jillaroos,” Australian co-captain Ali Brigginshaw said.

“She is always working in the pathways system and making sure that the next talent coming through are going to be in the best hands.

“Jess is really passionate about our culture which has really uplifted the culture within the Jilllaroos.

“We do a lot of cultural stuff and really get engaged around what it means to play for Australia and that comes from Brad, but Jess has also been at the forefront of that. She is very passionate about the women’s game and where it is going.”

Jillaroos second-rower Yasmin Clydsdale, who was one of 21 players named in the squad to play England at Allegiant Stadium on March 1, said Skinner had earned her shot at the top job.

“It is super exciting to have Jess at the helm, she will bring a real energy, she is definitely there for the girls and she will bring a new perspective as well as a female,” Clydsdale said.

“Jess has been around for such a long time, she has such great relationships with the players, she was the coach of the PM’s team last year, and All Stars - and she has had such good results.

“Just the way she talks to players creates that trust that we need to perform at our best so while it is a sad time in the Jillaroos [with Donald’s departure] I am very excited for Jess to be taking over.”

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While welcoming the appointment of a female coach to the Jillaroos role, Clydsdale said Skinner had earned the job through her achievements and experience in the game.

“It is awesome but she is probably the best for the role, regardless of being male or female,” Clydsdale said.

“As players, that is what we want in the high-performance area. We just want the best coach who can get the best out of the players and I think Jess will do that.”

Donald leaves with the Jillaroos as the flagship team in women’s rugby league and the NRLW considered the best female contact sporting competition in the world.

After taking over the Jillaroos job in 2016, Donald has overseen World Cup wins in 2017 and 2022 and took the team on a seven year, 15-match unbeaten run before their defeat by New Zealand in the 2023 Pacific Championships.

He was also heavily involved in the introduction of the NRLW competition in 2018, which has since expanded from four teams to 10 this year, along with the transition of the annual interstate clash to a three-match State of Origin series.

Brigginshaw vowed that Jillaroos players would honour Donald’s legacy by maintaining the values and standards he had instilled into the Australian jersey.

Brad Donald with Jillaroos captains Kezie Apps, Sam Brember and Ali Brigginshaw after winning the 2022 World Cup at Old Trafford. ©NRL Photos

“We have had many, many memories together, many World Cups together and he has been so passionate about the women’s game,” Brigginshaw said. “I don’t think you will find anyone more passionate.

“I am extremely sad to see him go but it is important for me and the other leaders within the group to now make sure we uphold what he was known for and that is about wearing the jersey with pride, doing the best for your country and putting the game in a better place.

“The things we have been able to do – bringing in the NRLW, have a three-game series for State of Origin – stemmed from that Jillaroos jersey and Brad. We are No.1 in the world for a reason.

“I think the saddest thing is that he won’t be in Vegas with us because we know how much he loves the Jillaroos jersey, but we will carry his values and everything that he stands for into that game.”

After winning the Pacific Cup final against the Kiwi Ferns in Donald’s last match in charge of the Jillaroos, there was only one change to the squad, with 2024 Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick replacing Sydney Roosters team-mate Millie Boyle.