Australia legend Ali Brigginshaw misses out on World Cup spot

   05/10/2026

THERE will be no fairytale ending to the career of Australia legend Ali Brigginshaw after she was left out of their World Cup squad.

One of the great trailblazers of the women’s game, 36-year-old Brigginshaw has contributed to all three of the Jillaroos’ world crowns.

Although the retiring Brisbane Broncos halfback hasn’t made the cut, coach Jess Skinner said there could still be a role for her to play in their camp.

“One of the hardest phone calls I’ve had to make as a coach to a player was this morning,” Skinner said.

“She’s won three World Cups and been player of the match for two of those finals. She’s a Golden Boot winner and she’s served this jersey for over 17 years, so that was a really hard decision to make.

“From our end we’d absolutely love to have (her involved) around the team. We always open our door to that. But we’ll give Ali some time to process this as it’s a big thing for her as she retires from the game.”

Tarryn Aiken – who missed last year’s Pacific Cup win with a knee injury, is likely to take her spot at stand-off, playing alongside Jesse Southwell, while Jocelyn Kelleher – who was also eligible for England – completes Skinner’s halfback options.

NRLW-winning Sydney Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly has been chosen to captain Australia for the first time.

Australia squad: Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters), Tarryn Aiken (Sydney Roosters), Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Shaylee Bent (Wests Tigers), Abbi Church (Parramatta Eels), Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast Titans), Quincy Dodd (Cronulla Sharks), Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Higgins (Newcastle Knights), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla Sharks), Keilee Joseph (Parramatta Eels), Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters), Keeley Nizza (Sydney Roosters), Sariah Paki (Sydney Roosters), Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla Sharks), Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos), Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Jesse Southwell (Brisbane Broncos), Simaima Taufa (Canberra Raiders), Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers), Tamika Upton (Brisbane Broncos), Makenzie Weale (North Queensland Cowboys).