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WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Multi-talented Southwell's immortal inspiration
Author
Joel Gould
Timestamp
Fri 5 Oct 2018, 09:43 AM

Childhood memories of watching Andrew Johns carve up for Newcastle inspired multi-talented Prime Minister’s XIII centre Hannah Southwell to take up rugby league as a five-year-old.

The 20-year-old has returned to her first love after stellar representative achievements in soccer and rugby sevens where she gained national selection.

Also a state cricket representative, Southwell played with the Dragons in the inaugural Holden’s Women Premiership this year. Before leaving Brisbane for Port Moresby on Thursday to take on the PNG Orchids she reflected on how Johns inspired her early passion for the game.

"I looked up to Andrew growing up and always went to the [Newcastle] home games with Dad, and that was a really big kick for me to start playing league when I was younger, and now to come back to it," she said.

"I watched [Johns] play and I loved it. I started out with league when I was five or six and then the boys got too big and I got too old, so I had to move over to soccer and then sevens.

"I was always going to come back. I am really excited to go overseas and play [the game] that I started with."

Southwell said she "learned heaps" in her three games in the NRLW for the Dragons where she made a long but worthwhile trek down to training from the Hunter Valley.

Aussies touch down in Port Moresby

"We just wanted to showcase to the world what we could do and we finally got the platform to do that which was really good," she said.

"I was hoping to get a Newcastle side [in the competition] but that is an assignment for next year or the year after. It was a really good experience with St George Illawarra and I loved every minute of it.

"It was definitely worth the drive down – three hours there and three hours back."

Southwell, the youngest player to debut in the W-League as a 15-year-old for Newcastle in 2014, has also been inspired by dual-international Ellyse Perry.

"I met Ellyse about three years ago when it was Newcastle versus Sydney FC, and at a few cricket tournaments, and she’s lovely. She’s definitely someone that I can look up to," she said.

The Prime Minister’s XIII will field a young side against the Orchids and talented schoolgirl Quincy Dodd is among them.

Dodd, who will play halfback, was 18th woman for NSW in this year’s State of Origin clash and was captain of the Cronulla Sharks' premiership-winning Tarsha Gale Cup side.

She became the first female player to win the Greg Pierce junior representative player of the year and won a spot in the Sydney Roosters inaugural NRLW squad.

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Quincy Dodd passes for the Sharks. :copyright:NRL Photos
"I really can’t wait for the experience. I know the Papua New Guinea girls will get really excited. I swear it is the biggest sport over there and they love the environment of rugby league," Dodd said.
"[Michaela] Peck and Taleesha Quinn have told me about the experience over there"

Dodd said she had learned a lot from the senior Cronulla players as part of the Sharks Elite Academy, where she was the first female inductee

"They always come up to me after or during training and say ‘hey Quincy, maybe fix this up a bit’ or with my kicking they’ll go ‘dude, change this technique’, which I am really executing into my game," she said.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/05/multi-talented-southwells-immortal-inspiration/
 
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WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Tungai stars as Australian women's PM's XIII thump PNG
Author
Michael Chammas Chief Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 6 Oct 2018, 04:15 PM

A hat-trick from Australian winger Shakiah Tungai has helped the Australian women's PM's XIII team to a 40-4 win over the Papua New Guinea Orchids in Port Moresby on Saturday afternoon.

The Aussies grabbed first points after a lovely short ball from halfback Quincy Dodd put Talesha Quinn over for the opening try of the match.

Tungai then dived on to a beautiful grubber kick from five-eighth Keeley Davis, who attracted a couple of defenders and then dribbled one behind the line to find an unmarked Tungai for a 12-0 lead.

The youngest player on the field, 17-year-old Rhiannon Revell-Blair from Brisbane, scored the third try for Australia when she dived over in the corner, but it was the magical cut-out pass from Michaela Peck down a narrow blind side that set it up.

Tungai grabbed her second soon after but the Orchids hit back through Naomi Kaupa to send PNG into the sheds trailing 20-4.

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Rhiannon Revell-Blair scores for the women's PM's XIII. :copyright:Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos
The second half started the way the first did, with the Aussies scoring – this time it was a massive run from captain Rebecca Young, who ran over the top of several Orchids defenders to score under the post.

The game then came to a halt when Hannah Southwell was floored in a tackle that put her head in an awkward position, but she managed to get up and walk off the field despite the concussion.

Najvada George then added her name to the try-scorer's list, finishing off some enterprising football from the Aussie side to take them out to a 30-4 lead.

Tungai grabbed her hat-trick from another kick soon after, before Asipau Mafi put the icing on the cake when she crashed over some Orchids defenders to plant the ball under the post and seal the 40-4 victory.

Thanking the crowd! #PMsXIII#Jillaroos pic.twitter.com/cO4c8soI2I

— Jillaroos (@AusJillaroos) October 6, 2018

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/06/tungai-stars-as-australian-womens-pms-xiii-thump-png/
 
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After early drama, plucky PNG made Australia work for their PM’s XIII victory
League
  • October 6, 2018 8:30pm
  • by Staff writers with AAP
  • Source: FOX SPORTS
044edbdfa17c12697e82f2ec4f4d0a3a

Daly Cherry-Evans bagged a double against PNG. Nathan Hopkins / NRL Photos.Source: The Courier-Mail
THE Australian Prime Minister’s XIII built a strong lead in the first half, but the PNG players refused to throw in the towel, making a contest out of it in the second stanza at Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.



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Nene: 'It's pretty special'

1:03
Mal Meninga’s side eventually held on to win the game 34-18 but the deficit was just two converted tries when Storm centre Justin Olam crossed in the 65th minute.

Daly Cherry-Evans showed he’ll be a danger to the Kiwis and Mata Ma'a later this month, bagging a brace in a standout performance.

Both sides had to put early drama behind them, when just 20 minutes in, thousands of PNG fans rushed the field putting a halt to play.

It is understood there was a false alarm raised that a light tower was going to fall, and when the fans’ safety was again assured play resumed.

More than 14,000 spectators crammed the oval, showing once again just how much the people of PNG love this game.


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PNG PM’s XIII's James Segeyaro celebrates with the fans in Port Moresby. Picture: Nathan Hopkins/NRL PhotosSource: Supplied
REPORT

Daly Cherry-Evans starred in the PM’s XIII 34-18 defeat of Papua New Guinea in a game marked by a bizarre pitch invasion.

The Manly skipper scored two tries and set up another in front of a 14,007-strong rugby league-mad crowd at National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.

Halfback Cherry-Evans put in a controlling performance as he gets set to return to the Australian Test side for the first time in four years next week.

Also importantly for coach Mal Meninga, the Australians did not suffer any major injuries ahead of their Tests against New Zealand and Tonga over the next two weeks.

Cherry-Evans helped open the scoring when he delivered a cut-out pass for winger Nick Cotric.


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PM's XIII feel the PNG love

1:03
And when the Queensland Origin playmaker crossed for the first of his two tries, chaos ensued as thousands of fans poured on to the pitch.

Play was delayed 10 minutes and when calm was eventually restored, Cherry-Evans picked up where he left off, crossing for his double.

The crowd was sent into raptures after Canterbury backrower Rhyse Martin dived on a Lachlan Lam grubber to make it 24-6 at halftime.

South Sydney recruit and fullback Corey Allan made the most of the chance given to him by Meninga, opening the scoring in the second-half.

The Kumuls did have their moments and when Matt Prior coughed up the ball on his own line, Kyle Laybutt made them pay to make it 30-12.

The Australians came up with a series of uncharacteristic errors to hand the Kumuls field position and David Mead put Justin Olam over to reduce the deficit to just 12.

But that’s as close as PNG got with Chad Townsend crossing to put the icing on the Australia’s victory.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/li...r/news-story/df327f0e0c7069a3e66313de5d15e5da
 
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Tungai scores three tries in PMs XIII win over PNG
Dragons Den
r260_837_4184_2270_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

Try time: Dragons' Shakiah Tungai. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

Avondale’s Shakiah Tungai had announced herself as an international star with three tries for the women’s PM’s XIII team against PNG on Saturday.

Tungai, who played for the Dragons in the inaugural NRL women’s competition, scored two in the first half, including one from a grubber from five-eighth and St George Illawarra teammate Keeley Davis.

The Australian team went on to win 40-4 in Port Moresby.

With victory well in hand, Tungai grabbed her third from another kick, before Asipau Mafi put the icing on the cake when she crashed over some Orchids defenders to score between the posts.

The Jillaroos will face New Zealand in a one-off Test against New Zealand on Saturday at Mount Smart Stadium.

Helensburgh’s Sam Bremner will captain the the team, while Dragons stars Kezie Apps, Davis, Jess Sergis, Hannah Southwell, Annette Brander and Holli Southwell are also in the squad.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5688166/tungai-makes-mark-for-aussies/?cs=3713
 
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JILLAROOS


Bremner ruled out for Jillaroos for ongoing injury
Author
Alicia Newton
Timestamp
Mon 8 Oct 2018, 01:36 PM

Newly appointed Australian Jillaroos skipper Sam Bremner has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns after failing to overcome a toe injury.

The luckless fullback fractured her toe in September during the NRL Holden Women's Premiership and missed the Dragons' final two clashes.

Jillaroos coach Brad Donald has recalled Karina Brown to the squad following Bremner's withdrawal.

"We've got plenty of experienced players in the squad, with many of the team having played the Kiwis on multiple occasions, including Karina," Donald said.

"It's unfortunate to be losing our captain for such a big match, but I know Sam will be cheering the team on and we look forward to welcoming her back from injury as soon as possible."

Bremner has not played for Australia since the Nines tournament in 2017 after a terrible run of luck with injuries.

Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos
Who will win Saturday's Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos clash?

Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos Who will win Saturday's Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos clash?
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She missed the Trans-Tasman Test match last year after suffering concussion during the side's final training session, before a stress fracture ruled her out of the Rugby League World Cup in November and Commonwealth Nines tournament a month later.

Donald named Bremner as captain of the Jillaroos for the first time in her career just last week, emphasising a vision for the Dragons fullback to take the side into the next era of women's rugby league in Australia.

"If we look at the long-term goal it's to retain the World Cup in another three years' time," Donald said at the squad announcement prior to Bremner's withdrawal.

"Sammy Bremner fits the bill there for the next four years. What she does on and off the field, she's a great leader. She runs a business and is great amongst the team."

Bremner's replacement Brown returns to the fold after a solid NRLW campaign for the Roosters and coming back from a broken jaw.

Donald has options for the fullback spot with Chelsea Baker also in line for the No.1 jersey after strong performances for the premiership-winning Broncos.

A replacement captain for the clash is expected to be named later in the week.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/08/bremner-ruled-out-for-jillaroos-for-ongoing-injury/
 
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Jillaroos captain Sam Bremner ruled out of Trans-Tasman Test
Dragons Den
r0_147_3903_2341_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

Struck down: Sam Bremner's international return has been thwarted by a toe injury. Picture: NRL Imagery.

St George Illawarra and Australian captain Sam Bremner has been ruled out of Saturday night’s Trans-Tasman Test.

The experienced fullback has been battling a toe injury that forced her to miss the Dragons final two NRL Women’s matches.

Bremner had been hopeful of overcoming the injury in time for the Test match against New Zealand, but she ultimately ran out of time.

The 26-year-old has been replaced by Queensland captain Karina Brown.

“We've got plenty of experienced players in the squad, with many of the team having played the Kiwis on multiple occasions, including Karina,” Jillaroos coach Brad Donald said.

“It's unfortunate to be losing our captain for such a big match, but I know Sam will be cheering the team on and we look forward to welcoming her back from injury as soon as possible.”

The injury is the latest in a long list of setbacks for the Helensburgh-product, with Bremner also forced to miss the 2017 World Cup final after suffering a stress fracture.

Despite Bremner’s withdrawal, the Dragons retain a heavy presence in the Australian side, with Kezie Apps, Annette Brander, Keeley Davis, Jess Sergis, Hannah Southwell and Holli Wheeler all in the squad set to travel to New Zealand.

The Jillaroos play the Kiwi Ferns at Mt Smart Stadium 3pm (AEDT) on Saturday afternoon.


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...emner-ruled-out-of-trans-tasman-test/?cs=3713
 
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WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Sergis Turns 2018 On Its Head With Jillaroos Call-Up
Author
Matt Buxton NSWRL.com.au
Timestamp
Mon 8 Oct 2018, 03:53 PM

After injuries cost her a State of Origin spot, Jess Sergis could be forgiven for thinking that 2018 was going to be a year to forget.

Particularly after the accelerated 2017 season where she made her interstate debut after just five games of Rugby League and scored a hat-trick in the process, the start of this year was completely polarising with just three games in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership and not playing in that Origin clash.

In the space of a just month, she’s turned her entire year on its head.

She returned from injury in the inaugural NRLW competition for the St George Illawarra Dragons, and completely dominated from the get-go.

Heavily concussed in the first game from a brutal head clash, her toughness was personified when she wanted to play on and the video went viral. People took notice and needed no further convincing of her talent in the final two games where she broke 12 tackles, scored a try at centre and was named the Rookie of the Year.


Now, she’s been picked to debut for the Australian Jillaroos to cap off what has been a remarkable period for the rising star.

“It was a bit of a rocky road this year with my career, I’ve had a few injuries,” Sergis said.

“It’s definitely planned out a lot better than I expected and hoped, but I’m so excited and so honoured.”

“It’s pretty surreal really, it’s my debut this year, so I’m really excited to put on the green and gold jersey and play next week against New Zealand.”

Sergis had a sniff of representing her country when she was picked to play Papua New Guinea last year, although it was more of a development team than the official Jillaroos.

She stunned Queensland last year. She stunned the NRLW and the public this year. She’s hoping it’s the same story when she makes her debut against New Zealand this Saturday.

“PNG I was pretty stoked with that as well; it’s more of a development squad so I think this year to put on an actual green and gold jersey and play next week it’s obviously a dream come true,” Sergis said.

“I honestly don’t know what to expect as this is my first Test match, so I’m just excited to get in with the girls and train hard, do some video on them and the little things like that.

“I know they’re going to be a great side and we’re just going to have to be the better one if we’re going to get the win.”

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Sergis playing in the NRLW for the St George Illawarra Dragons. Photos: NRL Photos
The Jillaroos won the World Cup last year, so the added pressure of maintaining their dominance is imminent.

They’ve had their first blow of the campaign with boom fullback Sammy Bremner ruled out with injury, but Sergis has plenty of talent around her to ensure they get the job done against New Zealand.

No player stands out for Sergis in terms of whom she’s excited to play with, for her it’s about the team as a whole. Besides her obvious skill, that’s the attitude that got her that Jillaroos jersey.

“I think our squad as a whole it’s pretty exciting there’s not really any individual players I think they’re all good, better as a team,” Sergis said.

“I’m lucky with the girls I’ve got around me, we’ve got a great side [with] a lot of experienced players.

“We do have a few debutants, but I think the girls as a whole they’ve made us feel all welcome and we’re really lucky to have girls like them to look up to.”

Sergis and the Jillaroos play the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns this Saturday at 3.15pm at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. The match will be broadcast on both Channel Nine and FOX League.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/08/sergis-turns-2018-on-its-head-with-jillaroos-call-up/
 
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Dragons release Macdonald, sign three more
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Tue 9 Oct 2018, 02:00 PM

St George Illawarra have today released Nene Macdonald from the final year of his Dragons playing contract on compassionate grounds.

Macdonald has played 46 games for the Dragons since joining at the beginning of the 2017 season. He has signed with another NRL team for the 2019 season and beyond.

Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways Ian Millward said Macdonald had been a fine servant to the club over the past two seasons and wished him well in his future endeavours.

"Nene has been an important player over the last two seasons at our club, and although he has one year left on his contract, his management and himself approached the club on compassionate reasons for a release," Millward said.

"We thought it was in the best interests welfare-wise for Nene to grant him the release, so unfortunately he won't be with us in 2019."

Macdonald's release has allowed the Dragons to announce the signings of three outside backs in Mikaele Ravalawa, Jonus Pearson and Jason Saab.

Ravalawa joins the Red V from the Canberra Raiders on a two-year deal, and will be at the club until at least the end of the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

A member of the Fiji Bati's successful Rugby League World Cup squad, Ravalawa was also Canberra' Under-20s Player of the Year in 2017.

In 2018, Ravalawa scored 11 tries and produced 66 tackle breaks in 13 appearances for the Raiders' feeder team Mounties.

"Mika is really exciting and by securing him we have signed a player who has shown he's capable of scoring numerous tries and has a high try-scoring rate," Millward said.

"He's very quick and extremely good in the air, and while he hasn't played first grade, we were looking to help generate a player coming through the ranks into a really good NRL player and we believe he has the ability to do that."

The Dragons have secured the services of Broncos outside back Pearson for the next two seasons; tying him to the club until at least the end of 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Pearson made his NRL debut late in 2016 and has played 11 first grade games to date.

"Jonus is another exciting prospect for the Dragons. At 23 years of age, we think he'll come into his prime at the Dragons," Millward said.

"When we look at outside backs, two factors we focus on in with our criteria is speed and their ability to jump for the ball, and Jonus certainly ticks all those boxes."

St George Dragons SG Ball winger Saab has signed a four-year deal with the Red V.

Saab will join the development player squad for the next two years, before he joins the NRL Top 30 for the 2021 and 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership seasons.

The Under-18s New South Wales representative was highly sought after across the game, which was justified in his recent selection for the Australian Schoolboys.

"Jason is a player we've developed through the local ranks. He's tall and athletic, and while we want to develop him slowly, when he has the talent that he has he might be [pushing for higher honours] sooner rather than later," Millward said.

"We believe he has a huge future at the Dragons moving forward."

Millward confirmed the Dragons' desire of signing another outside back to the club's 2019 roster.

"We are still on the lookout but we want to be patient once again. We don't feel at the moment what we're looking for is currently out there," Millward said.

"We have certain criteria's that we're looking at and we don't want to compromise ourselves by signing someone just to make up the numbers.

"We're really excited about the players we're bringing in – keeping in mind that Zac Lomax is an outstanding prospect – but we're still on the lookout for one more player."

Ravalawa, Pearson and Saab will join Broncos prop Korbin Sims as the new faces at the Dragons in 2019.

They follow the likes of Cameron McInnes, Matt Dufty, Zac Lomax, Jeremy Latimore Luciano Leilua, Jordan Pereira, Joe Lovodua and Josh Kerr who all extended their stay with the Dragons this season.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/09/dragons-release-macdonald-sign-three-more/
 
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MATCH PREVIEW


Kiwis v Kangaroos preview
Author
Chris Kennedy
Timestamp
Tue 9 Oct 2018, 06:01 AM

It's the dawn of a new era for both nations when Saturday's one-off Test between New Zealand and Australia kicks off at Mt Smart Stadium.

The home side begin the Michael Maguire era with a couple of certain starters unavailable in key men Isaac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, while it is also the first Test since Simon Mannering, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino announced their Test retirements.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Zane Tetevano and Corey Harawira-Naera are also unavailable but there are a host of potential Kiwi debutants in Brandon Smith, Jahrome Hughes, Isaiah Papali'i, Agnatius Paasi and Joseph Manu.

The change for the Aussies is arguably more seismic; last time they played – the 2017 World Cup Final – Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and captain Cameron Smith all featured while Johnathan Thurston was out injured but yet to retire from rep footy.

Now the team's four most important players of the past decade or so have left at basically the same time.

In come in-form debutants like James Tedesco, Damien Cook and Luke Keary. The latter, a 2018 grand final-winner, was a late call-up following the withdrawal of senior five-eighth Cameron Munster. Injured Cowboy Michael Morgan is another absentee from the team's previous campaign while the Test retirements of Darius Boyd and Sam Thaiday also leaves to a huge gulf in experience. Will Chambers, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Trent Merrin, Matt Gillett and Andrew Fifita were in green and gold last time out as well; at best five of the 17 that won the World Cup will play on Saturday.

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans is the other beneficiary of the swathe of missing playmakers, heading a number of players to have earned Test recalls, while future Test star Latrell Mitchell gets a debut.

Keary stunned by Kangaroos call-up

Key match up: David Klemmer v Marty Taupau. For the first time in a long while, Australia will be feeling their way into a new playmaking combination. It seems like the Kiwis have to do it every year and this year is no different. It does square the ledger a little, not having to come up against the same spine that propelled Queensland and Australia to so many wins over the past decade or so, but what it means in the short term is that if New Zealand can establish some dominance in the middle they may get to play with the advantage. Big angry middle men David Klemmer and Marty Taupau are crucial in that battle and automatic selections for their sides and the early charges for each will set the tone of the contest. Klemmer (181 metres per game) and Taupau (157 metres) were the two best metre-getting props in the 2018 Telstra Premiership.

For the Kiwis to win: Shaun Johnson has to step up and run this team. With Warriors mates Tuivasa-Sheck and Luke out, the five-eighth and hooker spots will have to be managed by a combination of Kodi Nikorima, Brandon Smith, Jahrome Hughes and Peta Hiku. None regularly wears No.6 or No.9 at NRL level so the Kiwis will live or die depending on which version of Johnson shows up in this game.

For the Kangaroos to win: They just have to click. With so many regulars and incumbents now gone, this team has been picked on form. Tedesco and Cook were the two best players through the Origin series and gelled quickly. Keary may be a late call-up but has a wonderful club combination with Tedesco. Cherry-Evans has yet to play with any of the other playmakers but showed in Origin III he can come into camp and get the job done in a new team. With powerful and dangerous runners in the forwards and backs the Kangaroos will create chances – it will be up to the new spine to make sure those count.

Taupau lauds Maguire influence

Kiwis Stat Attack: In terms of offloads, after league leader Andrew Fifita (82) the best two offloaders of 2018 are in this NZ squad with Taupau (71, second) and Esan Marsters (49, third) generating plenty of second-phase play. The best two from the Kangaroos squad were Ben Hunt and Aaron Woods (both 36) though neither of those are likely to be in the starting 13 or even guaranteed to make the 17.

Kangaroos Stat Attack: Players from this squad finished first and fourth on the NRL tackle break count this year with Tedesco (158) and Mitchell (118) beating players at will. The best Kiwi-eligible player was Tuivasa-Sheck; the best two from this squad are Taupau (107, ninth) and Jordan Rapana (91, 16th).

And another thing: The Kangaroos team is now dominated by New South Welshman – a very different scenario to that seen over most of the last decade and a half. It follows on from the Blues' successful 2018 Origin campaign. Nine of 17 names were Queenslanders this time last year but on Saturday the likely line-up will feature 11 or 12 Blues.

Kiwis v Kangaroos
What will be the result of Saturday's Kiwis v Kangaroos clash?

Kiwis v Kangaroos What will be the result of Saturday's Kiwis v Kangaroos clash?
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https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/09/kiwis-v-kangaroos-preview/
 
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REPRESENTATIVE


Sergis and Robinson 'heading' for strong Jillaroos careers
Author
Joel Gould
Timestamp
Mon 8 Oct 2018, 06:31 PM

Jillaroos debutantes Jess Sergis and Julia Robinson had a ferocious head clash that went viral on social media in the NRLW but are now putting their heads together to try and topple the Kiwi Ferns and forge a long-term career in the green and gold.

The duo were stars of the NRLW season with 21-year-old Sergis a powerhouse for the Dragons in the centres and rugby league novice Robinson, just 20, in rampaging form on the left wing for the premiership-winning Broncos.

Robinson, a netballer who first played rugby league in June, wants to make the most of her opportunity in Auckland on Saturday and make a long-term mark for the Jillaroos alongside Sergis.

"That would be the dream," Robinson said.

"We have a few debutantes in the team so it would be awesome to be able to be like those [long-term] players.

"Jess is still so young, and I have still hopefully got a few years in me so it would be good to be able to play with her the next few years."

Jillaroos teammates look back on head clash

When the heads of Robinson and Sergis collided in the opening round of the NRLW it created an iconic moment of the competition. Robinson, with a giant egg on her forehead, played on.

Sergis, who had no thought for self-preservation when making the tackle, wanted to continue but HIA protocols prevented her from doing so. Both women showcased their courage.

"That's what footy is. You have to play tough," Robinson said.

"Just seeing it all over social media ... honestly, after the game I felt terrible, but it did go viral.

"That was the first time [playing against Sergis] and she is an amazing player. Just watching her through the whole NRLW comp she played really well and I am excited to see what she can do for the team."

Sergis can laugh about the collision now and is just happy to have Robinson in the green and gold with her.

"It was a big head knock," she said.

"I am stoked to have her in my team. She is a strong girl and a great individual player.

"It knocked me straight on my chin. I can tick that off my bucket list now. I have never had that happen to me before."

Sergis can also tick off her Jillaroos debut, an opportunity that has come quicker than she expected.

"It's a dream come true, I can't wait," she said.

robinsonj-180909702-sd.jpg

Broncos winger Julia Robinson. :copyright:Scott Davis/NRL Photos
"It was a bit of a rocky road this year with my career. I have had a few injuries but it has panned out better than I had hoped.

"I honestly don't know what to expect. It is my first Test match, I am just excited to get amongst the girls."

Robinson, a private in the Army, described wearing the green and gold as "the greatest honour".

"I'm in the Defence Force and I serve my country, so to be able to play for my country is a dream come true," she said.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/09/sergis-and-robinson-heading-for-strong-jillaroos-careers/
 
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