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Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns: Sergis late call-up; Tauaneai to start

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Traditional foes Australia and New Zealand will face off once more, with the Pacific Cup title on the line. 

The Jillaroos have the stronger head-to-head record, but memories of their loss to the Kiwi Ferns in Melbourne last year during the Pacific Championships are set to be front of mind as the home side aim to beat their rivals for a second time after their 16-0 shutout victory in Christchurch.

As well as national pride, both sides have an extra motivation to lift for the match, with Jillaroos co-captain Ali Brigginshaw to play in her 25th Test match, while New Zealand captain Georgia Hale will feature in her 20th Test for her country, 10 years after making her debut. 

The home side come into the match after posting a dominant 84-0 win over the PNG Orchids in the opening match of the tournament, then following it up with their win against the Ferns before having the third week of the tournament off.

The Ferns have built into the tournament after the first week off and their loss to Australia, posting a 36-0 against the Orchids last weekend. 

Team News

Jillaroos: A late change an hour before kick-off with Jess Sergis joining the bench and Mahalia Murphy making way. Jessika Elliston is the 18th player. Keeley Davis has joined the bench for the final after joining the squad as injury cover for Quincy Dodd (quad). Hooker Olivia Higgins is good to go despite dislocating her wrist in the win over New Zealand. The joint was quickly put back in place and the Knights star has avoided further damage. Co-captain Ali Brigginshaw has been named at halfback for her 25th Test match. Newcastle halfback Jesse Southwell joined the team in camp on Sunday and was listed among the reserves for the final before being omitted when the squad was reduced to 19 players on Saturday.

Kiwi Ferns: Alexis Tauaneai has been promoted to the starting side an hour before kick-off with Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa going to the bench. Apii Nicholls slots straight into fullback after she was rested last week against the Orchids, moving Shanice Parker back onto the wing. Annessa Biddle is also back at second row for the final, with Najvada George heading to the bench. Last week’s debutant Brooke Talataina is out with an ankle injury. Tiana Davison is the 18th player.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Jillaroos is number 1 Tamika Upton
    Fullback for Kiwi Ferns is number 1 Apii Nicholls
  • Winger for Jillaroos is number 2 Julia Robinson
    Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 2 Leianne Tufuga
  • Centre for Jillaroos is number 3 Isabelle Kelly
    Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 3 Mele Hufanga
  • Centre for Jillaroos is number 4 Tiana Penitani
    Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 4 Abigail Roache
  • Winger for Jillaroos is number 5 Jakiya Whitfeld
    Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 5 Shanice Parker
  • Five-Eighth for Jillaroos is number 6 Ali Brigginshaw
    Five-Eighth for Kiwi Ferns is number 6 Gayle Broughton
  • Halfback for Jillaroos is number 7 Tarryn Aiken
    Halfback for Kiwi Ferns is number 7 Tyla King

Forwards

  • Prop for Jillaroos is number 8 Millie Elliott
    Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 8 Brianna Clark
  • Hooker for Jillaroos is number 9 Olivia Higgins
    Hooker for Kiwi Ferns is number 9 Brooke Anderson
  • Prop for Jillaroos is number 10 Shannon Mato
    Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 16 Alexis Tauaneai
  • 2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 11 Kezie Apps
    2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 11 Annessa Biddle
  • 2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
    2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 12 Amber Hall
  • Lock for Jillaroos is number 13 Simaima Taufa
    Lock for Kiwi Ferns is number 13 Georgia Hale

Interchange

  • Interchange for Jillaroos is number 14 Keeley Davis
    Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 10 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 
  • Interchange for Jillaroos is number 15 Sarah Togatuki
    Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 14 Ashleigh Quinlan
  • Interchange for Jillaroos is number 16 Keilee Joseph
    Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 15 Najvada George
  • Interchange for Jillaroos is number 18 Jessica Sergis
    Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 17 Otesa Pule

Reserves

  • Replacement for Jillaroos is number 19 Jessika Elliston
    Replacement for Kiwi Ferns is number 18 Tiana Davison

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Jillaroos have won eight of their past nine Test against the Kiwi Ferns.
  • Ferns captain Georgia Hale will make her 20th Test appearance.
  • Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly has scored seven tries in nine Tests against the Kiwi Ferns.
  • The Ferns have won only one of their past four Tests played in Australia.
  • Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw will make her 25th Test appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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