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There will be no shortage of feeling when the Kiwi Ferns host the Jillaroos on Sunday, with Australia out to avenge their first defeat since 2016 by New Zealand last year.

The Ferns proved too good in their 12-6 win in Melbourne in last's year's closing match of the women's tournament and will be out to repeat the dose in front of a sold-out crowd in Christchurch.

This year however, the Ferns will be without halfback and skipper Raecene McGregor who is getting married, but they have gained another high-quality half with Broncos five-eighth Gayle Broughton named to make her Kiwis debut as the latest dual international for the side.

This will be the opening match for the Ferns, while Australia head into the game following an imposing showing against the PNG Orchids in Week 1, with wingers Jakiya Whitfeld and Julia Robinson combining for 11 of the team's 17 tries in the 84-0 win at Suncorp Stadium. 

Team News

Kiwi Ferns: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Najvada George promoted to the starting side in the back row and Amber Hall going to the bench. Gayle Broughton and Alexis Tauaneai make their Ferns debuts against Australia at a sold-out Apollo Stadium in Christchurch. The Broncos five-eighth will partner with Tyla King who has been named at halfback, with last year’s captain Raecene McGregor not playing. Grand finalists Cronulla have two players featured, with Annessa Biddle to line up in the second row and Brooke Anderson at hooker. Mackenzie Wiki and Mya Hill-Moana dropped out on Saturday.

Australian Jillaroos: No further changes on game day after Jess Sergis was added to the bench on Saturday and Jessika Elliston made way as she nurses a minor quad injury. Skipper Ali Brigginshaw returns after being rested last week as a precaution after finger surgery so Tiana Penitani moves to the centres. Hooker Quincy Dodd suffered a minor quad injury in last week’s victory over the Orchids so Olivia Higgins will start in the No.9. Roosters hooker Keeley Davis is 18th player after coming into the squad as injury cover for Dodd and Lauren Brown (hamstring).

Team Lists

Backs

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

Forwards

  • Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 8 Brianna Clark
    Prop for Jillaroos is number 8 Millie Elliott
  • Hooker for Kiwi Ferns is number 9 Brooke Anderson
    Hooker for Jillaroos is number 9 Olivia Higgins
  • Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 10 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
    Prop for Jillaroos is number 10 Shannon Mato
  • 2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 11 Annessa Biddle
    2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 11 Kezie Apps
  • 2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 15 Najvada George
    2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
  • Lock for Kiwi Ferns is number 13 Georgia Hale
    Lock for Jillaroos is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Interchange

  • Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 12 Amber Hall
    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 16 Alexis Tauaneai
    Interchange for Jillaroos is number 17 Mahalia Murphy
  • Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 17 Tiana Davison
    Interchange for Jillaroos is number 18 Jessica Sergis

Reserves

  • Replacement for Kiwi Ferns is number 18 Otesa Pule
    Replacement for Jillaroos is number 20 Keeley Davis

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Kiwi Ferns have won only one of their past eight Tests against the Jillaroos.
  • Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson has scored 14 tries in seven Tests.
  • Centre Mele Hufanga has scored six tries in seven Tests for the Kiwi Ferns.
  • Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly will make her 15th Test appearance.
  • The Kiwi Ferns have won six of their past seven Tests on home soil.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.