THE hosts will once again go into this year’s World Cup as favourites to retain their trophy and collect a fourth consecutive world crown.

But with every tournament win, comes added determination from those around you to knock you off your perch. However with the players they have at their disposal, they will still go into the tournament confident.

The Jillaroos have only lost once in their last 22 Test outings – a 6-12 defeat to New Zealand in October 2023 – in a run stretching back to May 2017.

With Shannon Mato and Kennedy Cherrington both having switched allegiances to New Zealand, and several younger players impressing throughout both this year’s State of Origin series and the NRLW season, there could be a bit of a new look to the Australians this season, but there could still be a very familiar looking outcome.

KEY PLAYERS

THE calming head of captain Kezie Apps will no doubt keep her squad focused on the task in hand. With two World Cups, two Pacific Championships and multiple State of Origin series under her belt, few players in the squad will match her for international experience, and with some new faces expected to be selected, that knowledge could be vital to help settle any nerves. 

Two-time NRLW Player of the season Tamika Upton, will look to keep up her reputation as one of the game’s very best, while winger Julia Robinson offers a constant try-scoring threat out wide.

COACH

FORMER assistant Jess Skinner stepped up to the head coach role, replacing the long-serving Brad Donald, ahead of last season’s 90-4 win over England in Las Vegas. 

Picking up where Donald left off, she has since overseen a Pacific Championship win, with two victories over New Zealand and one against Samoa.

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).