'There's been a new Ali': Breakdancing Brigginshaw sets sights on France 2025

Ali Brigginshaw showed she can more than keep up with the game's young guns by leading the Jillaroos to World Cup glory at Old Trafford and then breakdancing during the presentation.

Brigginshaw was at her brilliant best as Australia stunned the Kiwi Ferns 54-4 in the World Cup final and despite turning 35 in 2025, she declared: "All the people who said I was too old, I'm still here, and I'm going for France".

The Jillaroos co-captain had three try assists and controlled the game superbly to take home player of the match honours for the second time in a World Cup final, having also achieved the feat in 2017.

Afterwards Brigginshaw showed off her breakdancing skills as she waited to accept the World Cup Trophy for the third time after being a member of the winning 2013 and 2017 Jillaroos teams.

"There's been a new Ali, the girls have made me come out of my shell," Brigginhsaw said. "As I'm getting older, it's been quite good to not be the so serious girl.

"It has been really good and I don't want this feeling to ever stop. I don't want to put a stop on when I finish playing and I'd hate for someone to do that, so I'll be the decider of when I finish.

"People do say about my age all the time, but as long as I have got the belief of the people I am with ... it's a credit to my wife and kids at home who support me so I'm going to keep going.

"I've set my sights on France, so let's go. It's exciting that we've got so many young halves coming through, and I was young once playing alongside Karyn Murphy so we will just see how the ride goes.

"It's probably been a challenging year, going in and out of form, I'll be the first to admit that but I enjoy my footy and I feel comfortable in this jersey."

Brigginshaw's two conversions in the final took her career tally to 70 points in Tests, the most by any Australian player.

"That was unbelievable from all the girls, we had a defence focus and I've never been part of a group that can defend like that, it was something special," Brigginshaw said.

"I love this jersey and I love what [coach] Brad Donald brings to this jersey and we are going to celebrate tonight.

"We never rest in defence and you saw that today. We let them cross once and we're probably still kicking ourselves about that but we had a focus and we're a very committed group and I'm so proud of the girls."

Donald has not lost a game since taking over as Jillaroos coach at the end of 2016 and praised the hard work of all involved with the group.

"To be standing here in front of all these people it's a real pinch me moment for the girls," Donald said.

"This wouldn't have happened five or six years ago and for it to happen now, I can only imagine what the future holds for the women's game.

"I've been fortunate enough to coach Ali since 2011, be it Queensland or Australia, we knew we needed her in the group.

"It's the same as Sammy [Bremner], a couple of little mistakes early in the tournament was never going to take that away from being here today and winning this trophy so we're ecstatic for them."