Jillaroos coach Brad Donald says he’s prepared to throw Tamika Upton in at the deep end and hand the all-conquering Newcastle fullback her first Test start in the No.1 jersey.
Upton last week claimed the Dally M and Karyn Murphy medals en route to a second-straight title with the Knights.
The 26-year-old is one of three Newcastle players named in Donald’s squad for the Tests against the Kiwi Ferns in Townsville on October 14 and Melbourne on October 28.
“She has been the form fullback and she’ll be wearing the No.1,” Donald said in Sydney on Tuesday.
Tamika Upton(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“There’s a couple of fullbacks in there but she has had an outstanding year. She’s a special player.”
North Queensland’s Emma Manzelmann and Gold Coast’s Jess Elliston are the other two uncapped players in the squad, which will be captained by Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Apps.
Brigginshaw, 33, might be reaching the twilight of her career but Donald insists the champion halfback still has plenty more to give.
“It was probably her best season in the NRLW, she was named Dally M halfback of the year,” the coach said.
“She’s been a great captain for the team for a long while and she has matured into a really good captain.
“She’s going to help us through the transition over the next couple of years.
“This is the start of a four-year cycle through to the next World Cup. Age is just a number but she’s playing like a 25-year-old.”
Jillaroos squad
Tarryn Aiken Roosters
Kezie Apps Tigers
Shaylee Bent Titans
Ali Brigginshaw Broncos
Lauren Brown Titans
Jaime Chapman Titans
Kennedy Cherrington Eels
Yasmin Clydsdale Knights
Keeley Davis Roosters
Jess Elliston* Titans
Caitlan Johnston Knights
Isabelle Kelly Roosters
Olivia Kernick Roosters
Emma Manzelmann* Cowboys
Shannon Mato Titans
Evania Pelite Titans
Julia Robinson Broncos
Jessica Sergis Roosters
Simaima Taufa Raiders
Emma Tonegato Sharks
Tamika Upton* Knights
*debutantes
PGNEWC
Roar Rookie
No room for the Southwell sisters ? Jesse was the outstanding halfback this year.
ScouseinOz
Roar Rookie
She is so good that I genuinely think the female Dally Ms should be renamed after her after she retires
Blink
Roar Rookie
Why do they have a male coach. Aren't the woman like Karyn Murphy good enough? Fat , wife beating misogynists at the NRL HQ probably.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Just like to say congrats to Emma Manzelmann . Great achievement for her and the Cowboys. I'll be at the Melbourne game , and I'm really looking forward to seeing this team play.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Upton is a class above every other player in the W.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Tamika Upton is the best FB in the NRLW by a very wide margin. She has been the premier no. 1 for a long time.
JohnB
Roar Rookie
Tamika Upton has been injured every time it's come to Australian selection, not just last year, but every year since she started playing? That's the only possible explanation for her not having debuted previously that makes any sense. As for Teagan Berry rivalling her, terrific in attack particularly against the less strong teams, but I would have thought you'd occasionally have to have a shot at a tackle before being in line for an Australian team.