Kezie Apps will captain a star-studded Jillaroos side that takes on the PNG Orchids in the first match of the 2024 women’s Pacific Championships.
Co captain Ali Brigginshaw has been a late scratching due to an ongoing finger injury, with Tiana Penitani shifting to five-eighth and Jessica Sergis taking her place in the centres.
Abbi Church is the reserve player. Papua New Guinea are 1-17.
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Apps’ selection was a big talking point given she was injured for most of the NRLW season, however the veteran second-rower returned to the field in last week’s Prime Minister’s XIII clash and got through unscathed.
Jillaroos Brad Donald will unleash three debutants in this clash with hookers Quincy Dodd and Olivia Higgins getting the nod as well as prop Sarah Togatuki.
Nine players from last year’s Jillaroos Pacific Championships side will feature including superstar fullback Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken — who is coming off a player of the match performance in the Roosters’ NRLW Grand Final win.
Meanwhile, fan favourite Elsie Albert will lead the Orchids, who have a sprinkle of NRLW experience. Essay Banu and Sareka Mooka were a part of the Cowboys’ squad this year, while Jessikah Reeves and Sera Koroi have played in the NRLW too.
But Albert sits at the top in terms of experience for the Orchids. The 28-year-old has played 25 NRLW games since her debut in 2020.
TEAMS
Jillaroos team: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 18. Jessica Sergis 5. Jakiya Whitfeld 4. Tiana Penitani 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliot 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Shannon Mato 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Olivia Higgins 15. Sarah Togatuki 16. Keilee Joseph 17. Mahalia Murphy. Reserve: 19. Abbi Church
Orchids team: 1. Mala Mark 2. Freda Waula 3. Belinda Gwasamun 4. Latoniya Norris 5. Lyiannah Allan 6. Sera Koroi 7. Delailah Ahose 8. Essay Banu 9. Ua Ravu 10. Elsie Albert 11. Sareka Mooka 12. Emily Veivers 13. Gloria Kaupa 14. Roswita Kapo 15. Jessikah Reeves 16. Talitha Kunjil 17. Leila Kerowa. Reserve: 18. Lilah Malabag
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