The chat behind Higgins' rapid rise to Jillaroos debut

Harvey Norman Jillaroos rookie Olivia Higgins has revealed how close she came to walking away from rugby league just 12 months ago. 

The Knights hooker had won three-straight NRLW premierships but representative honours had eluded her and the then 31-year-old was ready to turn her focus to the next phase of her life. 

So close was she to retiring that Higgins told Newcastle teammate Yasmin Clydsdale of her plan to hang up the boots immediately after their victory in last year's grand final. 

The forward, however, encouraged Higgins to reconsider and she decided to throw all her eggs into the rugby league basket for one last crack at representing her state and country.

Twelve months later and Higgins is in Christchurch with Clydsdale and the Australian women's team preparing for her second Jillaroos appearance when the side takes on New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday.

"I'd been lucky, I'd played in the NRLW for three years and I'd been fortunate enough to win three premierships," she said. "It was pretty cool, I'd experienced things not everyone gets to do and I just thought the ship had sailed for rep footy.

"I was starting to focus on other things in life but I thought 'no, I'll have a big off-season and keep going because I know I've still got the drive left in me' and I'm glad I did. 

"I didn't think I'd get the opportunity to do this the older I got, but to be able to do this now and get to play for Australia was something I didn't expect."

Higgins' decision to push on for another season prompted a whirlwind 12 months that started with a gruelling summer training regime. 

The hooker worked closely with Clydsdale as they laid the foundation for the year and pushed for spots in the NSW State of Origin team.

Higgins was rewarded with a Sky Blues jumper and played in the first two games against Queensland before an impressive NRLW campaign with the Knights laid the foundation for her Jillaroos call up.

It's a selection Clysdale always knew was possible and she's thrilled to be able to share the experience with her close friend. 

"She thought she'd achieved all she was ever going to achieve," Clydsdale told pan66.com. "In the off-season I had a bit of a chat to her and said 'just come running with me, you'll feel so much better when you're playing'. 

"I was just getting her into that positive mindset to enjoy football again because I do think she was ready to let it go but I knew she had more potential. 

"I'm very proud as a friend to see her achieve things she never thought she was going to. First the Blues and then getting this Jillaroos call up. I'm excited to see what she can do against the Kiwi Ferns. She got her debut against PNG but to beat the Kiwi Ferns here would be amazing."

Higgins made her Test debut off the bench in last week's 84-0 victory over Papua New Guinea but she's facing a much tougher test on Sunday afternoon. 

The Kiwi Ferns prevailed 12-6 in their last match against Australia and will be spurred on by a raucous home crowd at Apollo Projects Stadium. 

Higgins has been named to start at hooker on Sunday afternoon, with Quincy Dodd ruled out due to a quad injury. Roosters dummy-half Keeley Davis has been called into the squad as cover.