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MATCH PREVIEW


Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos preview
Author
Alicia Newton
Timestamp
Tue 9 Oct 2018, 10:32 AM

The New Zealand Kiwi Ferns play host to World Cup champions the Jillaroos at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday in the first and only battle between the two nations in 2018.

With no Nines tournament or mid-season Test match this year, players from both sides have been kept busy with State of Origin and the NRL Holden Women's Premiership. But now they get another taste of international rugby league.

New Zealand had dominated the women's game for decades until Australia's recent two-year run of success that included a World Cup triumph last year.

Australia will go into Saturday's clash with a vastly different line-up to the one that was successful against the Kiwi Ferns at Suncorp Stadium last December.

Injuries to Sam Bremner, Caitlin Moran and Corban McGregor, plus the retirements of Renae Kunst, Lavina O'Mealey and withdrawal of Nakia Davis-Welsh open the Jillaroos up to an opportunity to unlock the next generation of stars.

Australia coach Brad Donald has named six debutantes for the clash. More new talent will be required as early as next year with veteran duo Steph Hancock and Heather Ballinger expected to hang up the boots sooner rather than later.

Apps excited to be back in Jillaroos camp

Hunter Valley products Holli Wheeler and Hannah Southwell lead the fresh faces, with Tazmin Gray, Keeley Davis, Julia Robinson and Jess Sergis all named for their debut after strong NRLW campaigns.

How quickly the side comes together is set to be a factor for the Australian line-up, as will be the challenge of playing the Kiwi Ferns in Auckland.

For the Kiwi Ferns, they've made five changes from their World Cup final side with form in the NRLW counting for three new debutants.

Onjeurlina Leiataua, Masuisuimatamaalii Tauasa-Pauaraisa and Lavinia Gould add to an already powerful side that contains Karyn Murphy medallist Kimiora Nati and hard-running Broncos trio Teuila Fotu-Moala, Ngatokotoru Arakua and Maitua Feterika.

Key match-up: It will start in the middle but Ali Brigginshaw and Kimiora Nati are set to provide the most intriguing one-on-one battle. As teammates, they helped guide the Broncos to a history-making NRLW premiership just two weeks ago. Player of the World Cup final Brigginshaw has the class and experience at international level to match Karyn Murphy medallist Nati.

For the Jillaroos to win: Continuity will be key for the side with a transitional period in place, but the Jillaroos don't have a whole tournament to get their act together for this one. They'll need to match up in individually. The threat of Arakua and Honey Hireme can worry any side, so containing those three players will go a long way to victory. There is enough strike power and attacking talent if their defensive game is on song.

Jillaroos teammates look back on head clash

For the Kiwi Ferns to win: They are more than capable of winning through their power game. The NRLW has taken many of these players to a new level. They'll need the likes of Nati, Fotu-Moala, Arakua and Hireme to lead from the front. If they do, they'll be hard to stop on home turf. Little split the sides in the final last year but the Kiwi Ferns were out-muscled up front - that will prove costly if that is repeated.

Jillaroos stat attack: The Australian side had 146 carries out of dummy half across the World Cup tournament last year in comparison to the Kiwi Ferns' 96. The difference accumulated an extra 619 metres in total for the Jillaroos at an average of 123.8m per game.

Kiwi Ferns stat attack: Individually the Kiwi Ferns were causing chaos at last year's World Cup. They tallied 358 tackle breaks compared to the Jillaroos' 245 and made 78 line breaks - 19 more than the Jillaroos. Hireme topped the tally alone with 34 tackle busts and 19 line breaks, finishing with 13 tries in four games.

And another thing: Don't be alarmed when the game continues past the 60-minute mark. International rules will apply for this fixture, meaning unlike the State of Origin and NRLW clashes, a further 20 minutes will be played. Only seven points were scored in the final quarter of last year's World Cup final.

New Zealand Kiwi Ferns v Australia Jillaroos, Saturday, October 13, 3pm (5pm AEST)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Head-to-head: Played 21; Kiwi Ferns 15 wins, Jillaroos 6 wins
Previous result: Jillaroos won 23-16 in the 2017 World Cup final
Televised: Live on GEM, Fox League and Sky Sports 2 (NZ)

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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https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/09/kiwi-ferns-v-jillaroos-preview/
 
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St George Illawarra Dragons release Nene Macdonald to join North Queensland Cowboys for 2019
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    St George Illawarra have released Nene Macdonald from the final year of his contract with the Dragons, with the winger to join North Queensland for the 2019 season.

    The Dragons allowed Macdonald, who is from Cairns, to head to Townsville on compassionate grounds to be closer to family having played 46 games for St George Illawarra since arriving in 2017.

    Dragons director of rugby league pathways Ian Millward said Macdonald, who has signed with the Cowboys for three years, had been a fine servant to the club over the past two seasons and wished him well for the future.

    “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.”

    Meanwhile, the Dragons have announced the signings of a trio of outside backs.

    Fiji World Cup representative Mikaele Ravalawa joins St George Illawarra from Canberra, where he was the Raiders’ under-20s player of the year in 2017, on a two-year deal

    Jonus Pearson has signed from Brisbane, where he made his NRL debut in 2016, for two seasons.

    While Australian Schoolboys representative Jason Saab has been rewarded for his fine performances with St George’s SG Ball side with a four-year contract.

    Saab will join the development player squad for the next two years before the NSW under-18s representative joins the 30-man NRL squad for the 2021 campaign.

    Millward said the Dragons were still looking for another outside back to join their new trio for 2019.

    "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 criterias 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."

    The Dragons have also signed Korbin Sims, brother of Tariq, from Brisbane for next season,
https://www.theleader.com.au/story/5693116/dragons-release-star-to-join-cowboys-for-2019/?cs=1633
 
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WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Risk and reward approach pays off for McGregor
Author
Alicia Newton
Timestamp
Thu 11 Oct 2018, 03:01 PM

She was one of the first Australian-based players to ever pull on the Kiwi Ferns jersey but the pathway for Raecene McGregor was all based on risk and reward.

Born in Sydney, McGregor became eligible for the Kiwi Ferns through her parents, who hailed from New Zealand.

The door for Australian-based players to represent the Kiwi Ferns only opened ahead of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

After representing Australia in rugby sevens and soccer, playing for her parent's country was the furthest thing from her mind.

"There was a Kiwi selector for one of my club games at Belmore," McGregor told NRL.com.

"He said to me that New Zealand were opening up the chance for Australian players with Kiwi heritage to represent the Ferns.

"I didn't really take notice, had never thought about it. I've always played for Australia and NSW in sport. About three months later I got a call to say there was a get-together in Australia for a squad to train."

McGregor joined the training sessions, mainly to keep up her fitness, until four players were picked to trial for the Kiwi Ferns World Cup squad in 2017.

"I wasn't one of them," McGregor said.

mcgregorr-180909700-sd.jpg

Dragons playmaker Raecene McGregor. :copyright:Scott Davis/NRL Photos
"But they said if I paid for my way over to New Zealand and played well enough for them to take me on they would reimburse me.

"So I took myself over there, paid for the accommodation and played my first game."

The deal from the trials were simple: perform and you'll be rewarded. But fail and the trip would prove more of a holiday.

The worse-case scenario occurred for the 20-year-old, with McGregor stretchered off the paddock after a rival player landed awkwardly on her neck.

She spent the night in hospital and was convinced her dream international career with the Kiwi Ferns may have been over before it really began.

"It happened in the last 20 minutes of the game and I thought they'd think 'she's too soft'," McGregor laughed.

"But they paid for my flight back and the next day called to say I played really well from what they saw and would love to have me come back for a second trial.

"They reimbursed everything, I wasn't expecting that at all."

The rest from there, as she says, is history.

McGregor made her Kiwi Ferns debut at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, before cementing her spot in St George Illawarra's halves in the inaugural NRLW season.

And her trips ever since have all been paid for.

"The experience was so great, the girls welcomed me into that team," McGregor said.

"They are the best people I have ever met. I will never look back, even if I was asked to go into a Jillaroos camp, now that I've played with them I could never turn my back on those Kiwi Ferns girls."

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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https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/11/risk-and-reward-approach-pays-off-for-mcgregor/
 
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REPRESENTATIVE


Hunt better equipped for NRL pressure after rollercoaster season
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Thu 11 Oct 2018, 06:13 PM

Ben Hunt believes he is now better equipped to cope with the scrutiny on the game's top playmakers after a rollercoaster season with St George Illawarra and Queensland.

Hunt, who will perform the role of bench utility for Australia in Saturday's trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand in Auckland, was hailed as a saviour by Dragons fans at the start of the season but before the end of it he'd felt the need to seek professional help after becoming a target for disgruntled supporters.

He also lost the Queensland No.7 jersey to recalled Kangaroos halfback Daly Cherry-Evans after Origin II and had to endure further criticism for deciding to run the ball – instead of kicking it – on St George Illawarra's last play in their epic 13-12 semi-final defeat by South Sydney, which led to Adam Reynolds kicking his third field goal of the match.

The fallout was enough to prompt Hunt to consider a switch to hooker but he declared on the eve of his fifth Test appearance for Australia that he is now better prepared to deal with the constant focus on the performances of NRL playmakers.

"It's about handling the expectations and pressure that comes with those positions, and learning how to best deal with it," Hunt said.

Hunt: Weight off my shoulders

"It was very difficult but I look back on it as a big learning curve for myself. I haven't quite been through such a difficult stage of my career and I didn't really know how to handle it.

"Now I have been through it I have got a grasp on it. If it happens again in the future I will be able to deal with it better."

Hunt's endurance and versatility has earned him the support of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, who chose him as the back-up dummy half for Cameron Smith during last year's World Cup campaign and had no hesitation in selecting him for the role again against New Zealand.

The 28-year-old's preferred position remains halfback but he is happy to play hooker or come off the bench in a jack-in-the-box middle forward's role as Cherry-Evans, Michael Morgan and Kalyn Ponga have done for Queensland or Australia.

"Mal wants me to bring a lot of energy off the bench, and line speed and things like that in defence," Hunt said. "With the ball, he wants me to be a bit creative in the middle using our forwards rather than one-out hit-ups.

"He has told me he has got a lot of faith in me and believes I can play good footy. It wasn't the best back end of the season and for him to be loyal to me I am really grateful."

Mal's message to Ben Hunt

Meninga has also told Hunt to be prepared to play dummy half if new Kangaroos hooker Damien Cook needs a spell and he is more than comfortable in that role after playing there for Brisbane last year when Andrew McCullough was out injured.

"Long-term I really like playing halfback and I enjoy that but if any team wants me to pick me to play hooker it is a position I found I am pretty good at and I can handle it," Hunt said.

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/201...-for-nrl-pressure-after-rollercoaster-season/
 
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LADIES WHO LEAGUE


New era begins for Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns
Author
Mary Konstantopoulos
Timestamp
Fri 12 Oct 2018, 10:58 AM

When it comes to rugby league, there really is no off-season.

With the NRL and NRLW competitions completed, this weekend international rugby league will be in the spotlight with the Kangaroos set to take on the Kiwis and the Jillaroos playing the Kiwi Ferns this Saturday in New Zealand.

For the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns, this Test match is the start of a new era because it is the first international match played post completion of the inaugural NRLW competition.

That competition was the crescendo to a year which, particularly in Australia, has seen women being given the opportunity to play top-level rugby league more frequently and consistently than ever before.

Women's State of Origin, the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership and the NRLW - it's been quite a ride.

When I spoke to people at the end of the NRLW competition the only criticism was that the competition was too short.

Hancock lapping up Jillaroos return

The first season left many hungry for more women's footy, making the timing of this Test match impeccable.

What's also exciting is that for those fans that may be new converts to women's footy because of the NRLW competition, plenty of faces in both the Jillaroos and Ferns squad will be familiar because they shone for the Dragons, Roosters, Warriors and Broncos.

In the past, some footy fans may have only known bigger names like Kezie Apps, Simaima Taufa and Honey Hireme – but the NRLW made players both in Australia and New Zealand more visible.

The other side of the coin are those of us who have been following the women's game for some time.

If that's you, when you saw the squad announcement you may have noticed that there were some women who missed out on selection for this Test – most notably, former captain of the Australian Jillaroos Ruan Sims.

Karina Brown was also not initially selected but has been brought into the squad to replace the injured Samantha Bremner.

There's no other way to put it – the last two years have been rotten in terms of injury woes for Sammy. After fracturing her toe in September during the NRLW and missing the Dragons' final two games, I'm sure she will be gutted to also be missing this Test.

Missing out on selection will be bitterly disappointing for Ruan, but I'm sure part of her is exceptionally proud that she was one of the trailblazers who had pushed for the women's competition.

The rewards of that effort are being realised with six women named to debut for the Jillaroos on Saturday – many of whom were discovered directly as a result of the NRLW.

In order for the women's game to continue to grow, uncovering new talent is just as important as making sure that there is plenty of competition for representative honours.

I also have no doubt, that following a horror year with injuries, Ruan will be working harder than ever to ensure an international return.

Match preview: Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos, 2018

But what about some of the new talent being given a chance in the green and gold for the first time?

Take Julia Robinson from the Broncos who only started playing rugby league a couple of months before the start of the NRLW competition.

Julia was introduced to the game through her colleagues in the army, Meg Ward and Talesha Quinn, and before she knew it Broncos coach Paul Dyer recommended her to a Brisbane-based team so that she could get in a couple of games before the NRLW started.

After a short season with the Broncos, Julia is now playing rep footy and already very much feels part of the rugby league family.

I'm also exceptionally pleased to see Jessica Sergis from the Dragons being given the opportunity to make her Jillaroos debut.

One of the women that really lit up women's rugby league this year was Isabelle Kelly.

She scored the match-winning try for the New South Wales Blues in State of Origin and was exceptional for the Roosters – scoring in almost every game she played.

Not to take anything away from the performances of Isabelle, because she has been exceptional, but had Jess not spent most of the season on the sideline as a result of injury, I feel like we would be talking about her in the same way we talk about Isabelle.

Her Dally M Female Player of the Year nomination, her being awarded rookie of the year in the NRLW competition and her selection in this Jillaroos squad is fitting reward for a player who really is only at the start of her career.

The Jillaroos have had the edge over the Kiwi Ferns on most occasions on which they have met in the last two years including at the Auckland Nines last year and in the Test played last May.

But with players like Honey Hireme, Laura Mariu, Kimiora Nati, Teuila Fotu-Moal and Maitua Feterika all lighting up the NRLW competition this year, I have a feeling that we are in for a very close contest.

I'm still tipping the Jillaroos … but to use one of my favourite footy cliches, women's rugby league will definitely be the winner on the day.

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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https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/12/new-era-begins-for-jillaroos-and-kiwi-ferns/
 
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WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Where Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos will be won and lost
Author
Alicia Newton
Timestamp
Fri 12 Oct 2018, 07:01 AM

The introduction of the NRL Holden Women's Premiership has unearthed a potential eight fresh faces across the Australia and New Zealand teams for Saturday afternoon's Trans-Tasman Test at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

It marks the first time the teams will play each other since the Jillaroos triumphed in the 2017 World Cup at Suncorp Stadium last November.

For a lot of the players from both sides, who were teammates just a fortnight ago across the four NRLW competition, they'll put their club alliances aside for the first time in history.

The Kiwi Ferns will be desperate to bounce back from World Cup defeat last season and bridge the gap created by the Australian outfit over the last two years.

NRL.com has broken down the position-by-position match-ups to see where the game could be won or lost on Saturday.

Fullback: Apii Nicholls v Chelsea Baker

Both fullbacks had strong performances in the NRLW competition but Baker took her game to another level in the No.1 jersey this year. Nicholls provides a roaming role at the back and is elusive if the Kiwi Ferns forward pack can get on top early.

Verdict: Baker nudges Nicholls but not by a lot. The mum-of-two missed just three tackles in four games during the NRLW and makes a handy replacement for injured Jillaroo Sam Bremner and incumbent Nakia Davis-Welsh.

Wingers: Karley Te Kawa & Langi Veainu v Julia Robinson & Karina Brown

All quality finishers who will be looking to get one over their opposite numbers. Australia winger Robinson is the rookie but should be no target for the Kiwi Ferns side. Her battle with Broncos teammate Te Kawa is one to watch. Brown was one of the best wingers in the World Cup last season and her combination with Kelly could prove a point of difference.

Verdict: Can't split the wingers in a lot of aspects but Robinson and Brown provide the Jillaroos with a safety net in both attack and defence to give them a slight edge.

Centres: Maitua Feterika & Honey Hireme v Jessica Sergis & Isabelle Kelly

h2h_womens_centres.jpg

A bumper match-up on both sides with speed and strength in the backline. Hireme looms as the danger player for the Kiwi Ferns and showed in last year's World Cup final she has the ability to worry the Jillaroos out wide. Feterika finds herself back in the centres against Kelly, who piled on two tries against her opposite number in the World Cup final last season.

Verdict: This is an even contest, though the combination of Hireme and Feterika looks too strong on paper. Sergis faces a big challenge against Dragons teammate Hireme, while Feterika needs to come up with a big game against Kelly defensively.

Halves: Raecene McGregor & Kimiora Nati v Ali Brigginshaw & Zahara Temara

Three of the four halves from the World Cup final return 10 months later to guide their teams around the paddock. Temera is the new face but is arguably one of the brightest talents in the game with big-match experience. Nati complimented Brigginshaw well in the halves for the Broncos but will need more of a leadership role with McGregor alongside her at the international level.

Verdict: Brigginshaw and Temara give the Jillaroos an advantage particularly through their kicking game, with a combined 1249 kicking metres throughout the NRLW competition, compared to the Kiwi Ferns' halves combination's 445.

Props: Ngatokotoru Arakua & Aieshaleigh Smalley v Heather Ballinger & Elianna Walton

Two pairs of players at different ends of their playing careers. Arakua comes into the Trans-Tasman Test as one of the best props in the game after a dominant role playing for the Broncos. Her combination with Smalley will provide the Kiwi Ferns with strong impact early. Ballinger and Walton are experienced enough to handle the pair early but it could be a case of contain rather than impact.

Verdict: The Jillaroos veterans will have to do a job on Arakua and Smalley because they are both unstoppable on their day. Expect the Kiwi Ferns to be dominant early.

Hookers: Nita Maynard v Brittany Breayley

The State of Origin hookers will go head-to-head for the fourth time this season with Breayley holding a 2-1 record over the Kiwi Ferns dummy half. Maynard has swapped the NSW jumper to represent New Zealand with the eligibility rules lightened in the women's arena this season. Breayley is the Dally M women's player of the year.

Verdict: While Maynard will be at her sharp best, the class of Breayley should prove too good over the 80 minutes.

Second row: Teuila Fotu-Moala & Onjeurlina Leiataua v Kezie Apps & Holli Wheeler

h2h_womens_second-row.jpg

Leiataua announced herself on the big stage with strong performances for the Warriors both in winning and beaten outfits. Her form has essentially allowed for Feterika to shift to the centres. The battle of Fotu-Moala and Apps could prove game-changing, with both at a damaging best on their day.

Verdict: The Kiwi Ferns have the edge in the back row if they can utilise Leiataua and Fotu-Moala accordingly. Apps will want a big game after a quiet NRLW campaign.

Lock: Laura Mariu v Simaima Taufa

Both inspirational players in their own right. Mariu is an extra playmaker for the Kiwi Ferns line-up after playing for the Warriors at five-eighth in the NRLW. Taufa is coming off an injury-riddled season but continues to play through the pain barrier and churn out a high work rate.

Verdict: Both add different impact to their respective sides, you'd expect Mariu to offer more in attack with Taufa's injury.

Bench: Georgia Hale, Sui Tauaua-Pauaraisa, Amber Kan, Annetta Nuuausala v Keeley Davis, Stephanie Hancock, Annette Brander, Tazmin Gray

With the game branching out to 80 minutes after the 60-minute contests in the NRLW, the impact of the bench is going to prove vital. The Kiwi Ferns have opted for George Hale to come into the utility role with rugby union convert Sui Tauaua-Pauraisa making her debut. Annetta Nuuausala has not been sighted since round one of the NRLW but pulled off a monster hit on Zahara Temara for the highlights reel. She will add impact off the bench to accommodate Ngatokotoru Arakua's roll on early.

Keeley Davis the surprise player in the utility role. The Aussies have got the experience through Steph Hancock to come on first change, while Queensland pair Annette Brander and Tazmin Gray have had strong years.

Verdict: Australia have opted for a mobile bench and with an 80-minute game ahead, look to have an edge over the Kiwi Ferns from the interchange. Any late changes could mix this up. Wouldn't surprise if Nuuausala started with Arakua giving another huge effort off the interchange.

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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https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/12/where-kiwi-ferns-v-jillaroos-will-be-won-and-lost-author/
 
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REPRESENTATIVE


The rapid rise of Jillaroo Keeley Davis
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 13 Oct 2018, 07:01 AM

After taking up rugby league just two years ago, Keeley Davis expected to be preparing for her Year 12 graduation now rather than carrying the Jillaroos mascot around Auckland as the youngest member of the Australian team to play New Zealand in Saturday's Test at Mt Smart Stadium.

Davis is one of six players who will make their Test debut for the Jillaroos and as the youngest the 18-year-old has been tasked with carrying a stuffed toy kangaroo, known as Jill, wherever the team goes.

"It's something they've done since the start, I think," Davis said. "The youngest player has got to carry the Kangaroo around and I have got to take it everywhere."

If she fails to do so, there are penalties imposed by other Jillaroos players but it is unlikely Davis would mind after her rapid climb from Illawarra's Under 18s Tarsha Gale Cup team to the Dragons' Holden NRL Women's Premiership side, selection in the Prime Ministers XIII and now the Jillaroos.

What makes the rise of the St George Illawarra playmaker even more remarkable is that she only took up the game two years ago after friends convinced her to play in a month-long competition run by the Illawarra Rugby League to encourage girls to try rugby league.

Match preview: Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos, 2018

"There was a comp at Corrimal called the November Nines and I wasn’t playing anything at that time so my friends said why don’t you come and try this for fun. They needed girls anyway," Davis said. "I did that and loved it.

"I made the 2017 Tarsha Gale Cup squad and before that I had been playing soccer, rugby sevens, Oztag and touch but I quit them all. My parents were pushing for me to pick one sport but I didn’t love anything as much as I loved league so I said this is what I wanted to focus on and I put all my effort into that."

After being named the Illawarra Steelers 2017 Tarsha Gale Cup player of the year, Davis overcame a dislocated elbow during this year's competition to win an NRLW contract with the Dragons and forced her way into a starting role after playing the first game against Brisbane from the interchange.

"It's been amazing. At the start of the year I just wanted to play as well as I could for any team I was in," she said. "It is still pretty hard to believe.

"All of this has come so quickly. I was meant to be doing my HSC but when I made the Dragons NRL team I weighed up my options and I thought I would be better to leave school. It has worked out pretty good for me with my job at the moment in a local gym."

Hancock lapping up Jillaroos return

The decision paid off after Davis was selected by Australian coach Brad Donald at five-eighth for the Prime Ministers XIII team which beat Papua New Guinea Orchids 40-4 in Port Morseby last weekend and won a place on the bench for the Jillaroos against the Kiwi Ferns.

In a sign of how unexpected her selection was, Davis said she only found out after the Jillaroos squad was posted on Facebook as she had been water skiing and was out of mobile phone range.

"One of my mum's friends saw it but I was out on a boat at Nowra ski park so I had no reception and my mum was calling and calling," she said. "I spoke to Brad Donald on the phone when I got home.

"I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to PNG and New Zealand. I am so lucky to be coming into footy at this time and thankful to all the girls who have worked so hard to get us into the position we are in now."

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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https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/10/13/the-rapid-rise-of-jillaroo-keeley-davis/
 
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