Harvey Norman Australian Jillaroos Coach Jess Skinner has named her side for the Pacific Championships clash with Fetu Samoa as part of a blockbuster double-header at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday (1pm AEST kick-off).
The side for the defending champions' first appearance in the 2025 Pacific Championships will once again be skippered by co-Captains Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Apps and includes three debutants in Broncos-bound halfback Jesse Southwell, Roosters prop Rima Butler and Sharks prop Ellie Johnston.
The 21-player squad features 10 players who took the field in the Telstra Women's Premiership Grand Final between the Broncos and Roosters earlier this month.
Harvey Norman Jillaroos Coach Jess Skinner congratulated the three players named to make their Test debut.
"Jesse, Rima and Ellie were three of the standout performers across the NRLW season and have thoroughly earned their selection for this opening Pacific Championships game against a high-quality Fetu Samoa side.
"It is a great opportunity for these girls to make their mark in the green and gold jersey and the energy and enthusiasm that they've brought into camp has been outstanding.
"As a team we'll need to bring that energy into the game on Sunday against a hungry and rising Samoan team that pushed the Kiwi Ferns to the limit and will back themselves to do the same against us this weekend."
The squad is as follows:
- Tamika Upton
- Julia Robinson
- Isabelle Kelly
- Tiana Penitani Gray
- Jessica Sergis
- Ali Brigginshaw (c)
- Jesse Southwell
- Rima Butler
- Keeley Davis
- Jessika Elliston
- Kezie Apps (c)
- Yasmin Clydsdale
- Olivia Kernick
- Quincy Dodd
- Keilee Joseph
- Ellie Johnston
- Jakiya Whitfeld
- Sarah Togatuki
- Abbi Church
- Jocelyn Kelleher
- Makenzie Weale
