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Keilee Joseph “cannot wait” to get to Las Vegas to take on England in their historic Test, an experience that will cap a massive month for the Jillaroos forward.
Joseph was awarded the Trish Hina Medal after helping the Indigenous All Stars claim back-to-back wins against their Māori opponents after snaring a late 20-18 victory at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.
“It was very unexpected, but I'm so grateful to get that (from the judges),” Joseph said.
“It was definitely a grind all the way, but our girls stuck to it and the game wasn’t finished until it finished.”
Spurred on by an inspired half-time speech by Ella Koster, with the points secured by last-minute penalty goal by Lailani Montgomery, Joseph said all the team’s debutants – including Evah McEwan – had impressed in their first outing in coach Jess Skinner’s side.
“The debutants did very, very well, especially,” Joseph said.
“They just stepped in, they knew what they were doing and they did their roles so perfectly."
On the game itself, Joseph said the physical encounter was a good challenge for her in the middle and would prepare her well for the upcoming Test.
“Their forwards were some big, strong girls, so we just had to stand up and be strong and go up against them," Joseph said.
Part of Australia’s successful Pacific Championship winning squad last year that only conceded one try during their entire campaign, Joseph was recently named alongside fellow Indigenous All Stars teammates Quincy Dodd, Olivia Kernick and Mahalia Murphy, as well as Māori All Stars co-captain Shannon Mato in the 21-player squad.
Like Joseph, interim Jillaroos coach Skinner now has her focus firmly fixed on the opportunity in Vegas, with the Maroons forward praising her mentor, who was announced earlier this month to step up from her assist coaching role with the national team.
“I am so happy that we got that back-to-back wins, it was well-deserved and I am so happy that Jess was here to be part of it," Joseph said.
“I love her as a coach, she’s probably one of the best I have had, and I am just so grateful I get the opportunity to be involved with her for All Stars and Jillaroos.
“I cannot wait! It’s the experience of a lifetime coming up and I am just so excited.”
The Jillaroos will assemble in Brisbane on Thursday in preparation for their historic Test, with players to begin to travel to the USA from Saturday before their game at Allegiant Stadium which kicks off at 1pm (AEDT) on Sunday, March 2.
Match: Jillaroos v England
Round 1 -
home Team
Jillaroos
away Team
England
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
