When the Kiwi Ferns beat the Australian Jillaroos 17-15 in the final of the World Cup Nines last weekend it was the first time the Jillaroos had lost a game since 2017.
There was some disappointment from Aussie fans after the defeat and potentially some shock given the Jillaroos’ recent success, but given the quality of rugby league played by both teams, I left the tournament with confidence that the women’s game has such a staunch rivalry and plenty of competition for our Aussie women.
The importance of this shouldn’t be taken for granted given what we’re seeing in the women’s cricket space at the moment. As a result of the sizeable investment that Cricket Australia has made in the women’s game, the gap between Australia and the rest of the world continues to widen. The biggest challenge this poses is that little competition makes it hard to improve.
We do not have this problem in rugby league, which sets up a thrilling match this evening.
The rivalry between the Jillaroos and the Kiwi Ferns will be reignited tonight in a Test match in Wollongong.
There will certainly be extra spice in this game given the Jillaroos’ shock defeat last week and because of some of the key match-ups between women that have developed friendships in the NRLW. This is common in the men’s game but is something the women are still getting used to.
Take Ali Brigginshaw and Raecene McGregor, who were the halves pairing for the premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos team. These two will face off against each other tonight.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Many of the Ferns have also played plenty of rugby league in Australia, including the likes of Nita Maynard, who is very close to Botille Vette-Welsh, and Kiana Takairangi, who is best friends with Corban McGregor.
There are some very exciting players set to make their Test debuts in this game as well.
While Millie Boyle has represented Australia in rugby union, she is set to make her Test debut after an outstanding maiden season, which has seen her play State of Origin for the New South Wales Blues, line up in the Broncos’ premiership-winning team and earn a nomination for the Dally M female player of the year.
Tiana Penitani is another potential debutant after an outstanding campaign for the Dragons.
I’m also looking forward to seeing Charntay Poko play given that she has hit the rugby league scene only this year. Across the entirety of the NRLW, the kicking game was the area that improved the most, with Poko being a leader in this space. Almost every time she kicked the ball she forced a result, and she will be looking to do the same on Friday night.
One thing to keep an eye out for is the 80-minute format of the game.
(AAP Image/David Rowland)
Those who watched the NRLW will be used to 60-minute fixtures. However, given this is a Test match, the rules are governed by International Rugby League, so the women will play for 80 minutes.
Both teams have plenty of experience playing this format, but it will certainly be a step up in intensity for many women who are used to playing 60 minutes in the NRLW. Watch for fatigue in the later parts of the match.
This will certainly bring in the forwards and it is a space the Jillaroos will need to step up in given the international retirement of Heather Ballinger and experienced campaigners Elianna Walton and Steph Hancock missing out on selection. The Jillaroos will be looking to Boyle and Chelsea Lenarduzzi to plug this gap.
What excites me about this contest is how familiar so many of the Kiwi Ferns players have become for Aussie fans because of how these players lit up the NRLW. Names like Jules Newman, Krystal Rota and Charntay Poko have become very familiar to us.
Almost every member of the Kiwi Ferns and Jillaroos squads have featured in the NRLW this year. The Kiwi Ferns will be bolstered by the inclusion of Honey Hireme. Hireme missed the whole NRLW season due to family reasons.
The match-up between Hireme and Dally M female player of the year Jessica Sergis is set to be one of the most exciting of the evening.
I’m predicting a Jillaroos victory tonight but by only the smallest of margins. This Test match will be another step in the right direction for women’s rugby league and will continue what is becoming one of the fiercest rivalries in the game.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Awww good to see Mr Alias as an equal opportunist with Wendy. More than one excited as both the ratings on Fox & FTA for the Jillaroos outdid the A league, NBL & motor racing :stoked:
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Looking forward to firing up Kayo on this one. Womens RL is proving its worth on the stage of Australian womens sport. No fumbling or bumbling or wax a lyrical about poor skills in the facade of womens sport. When the commentators are lauding these gals, they aren't just toeing the company line like we see in another sport. This is real, this is truly sporting entertainment that has been accepted by the RL community as truly worthy of being praised!
Danielle Warby
Guest
Plenty of smaller countries punch above their weight. Just look at both men's and women's Icelandic national football teams. It's not the size of the population, it's what you do with it that counts. Australia lead the way in a lot of sports, we punched above our weight too. Now, other's have caught up... and in some cases, taken on board our philosophy and coaches. We need to innovate again, that's all.
Republican
Guest
......my point is they always threaten to defeat us and at least compete with us in all sports despite a huge population disparity, while in those sports that are apparently only niche ie League, they regularly defeat us, certainly over the past couple of decades. We never compete with them in Union no matter how much we talk up the Wannabes and we do have some excuses however they don't have to becuause they will always contest well Australia. NZ are likely to win both League fixtures PM while they will defeat us over the Summer Cricket season as well as take out the Net Ball this weekend. Have we lost our sporting mojo; are we complacent when v NZ or are they simply a superior sporting nation? I have come to conclude that the latter is the most accurate answer.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I suspect the likes of Hannah Southwell & Holli Wheeler might look to prove a point or two tonight with some big hits.
Paulie
Guest
?, They only dominate Rugby. I think if you check the records Australia would hold an 80/20 winning percentage in all other sports over NZ
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Agree with you Mary - a Jilleroo's victory tonight despite their 9's loss. I'm interested to see how an 80 min match will affect both teams - should be very interesting but I'm sure that, like the NRLW/9's competition, tonight's match will be a showcase of highly skilled rugby league! Brigginshaw to lead the way. Go Aussies!
Paulie
Guest
Im hoping there is a bit of more than normal aggression in this match after the Ferns labelled the Jillaroos cocky after the nines. Hopefully the Jillaroos will feel like they have a point to prove.
Republican
Guest
I have to again ask this question since I am yet to glean a satisfactory answer from anyone on Roar over the years. How is that a population of 5 mill or so can be more than competitive and often superior, across all sport, womens and mens v a population of 25 mill? Union aside, (since the code is a veritable religion in NZ, whereas here it is hardly niche, a convenient excuse used over the decades for our mediocrity v the AB's), League being niche in NZ, they present capable of competing and threatening our apparent pedigree, the might of Australian Rugby League, at all tier's, both men and women. NZ are also competitive and often superior in Net Ball, Hockey, Soccer, Basketball and now even CRICKET, (saints preserve) to name a few. Are we simply regressing as a sporting power house; is it our fostering of NZ sport by affording them membership of our domestic leagues in some codes, or is it simply that they possess a superior physical DNA? Any thoughts?