Jillaroos star hints at emotional World Cup farewell
Updated . First published
The quest for a fourth-straight World Cup triumph could be an emotional one for the Jillaroos, according to gun centre Jessica Sergis.
The Aussies will kick their campaign off against Samoa in Sydney on Friday night with much of the same squad who played in the 2022 World Cup remaining.
The Jillaroos are chasing a fourth-straight World Cup triumph. AP
In fact, eight players who played in that 54-4 thumping of New Zealand have been named in the 17, plus three Jillaroos regulars who missed that match.
Sergis was one of them, and she said the squad is hoping to make the most of a rare home tournament.
“It would be amazing (to win a fourth-straight). I’ve never had the opportunity to play a World Cup on home soil, and that would be the cherry on top for this team,” she told media on Thursday.
"A few girls in the squad are getting a bit older, so this could be the last one.
"It will be the best feeling in the world, being at home, being supported by our fans."
Sergis, Tarryn Aiken, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Keeley Nizza, Kezie Apps, Simaima Taufa and Shaylee Bent have all been named in the 17 for the Samoa match having played in the 2022 final. Jaime Chapman played earlier in the tournament, but missed the final.
Millie Elliott and Tamika Upton were selected in the squad, but had to withdraw with work commitments. Having retired from the NRLW, Elliott will retire altogether following the World Cup.
Ivania Isa'ako was one of seven Jillaroos to score a try in that final. She, too, will be on the park on Friday night, but switched allegiance to Samoa ahead of the 2024 Pacific Championship.
The match will also mark a personal milestone for Sergis, who will make her 15th appearance for the Jillaroos – considered a milestone in internationals.
"I can't believe I'm here. In 2017 I got my chance, and then I injured my knee and never got that opportunity. It's been such a big ride," she said.
"One of my goals was to play 15 games in this jersey. I actually thought I was a few games off, so it was a bit of a shock, but I'm excited to do it with this team."
The Jillaroos put 60 on Samoa in last year's Pacific Cup, and will start Friday's match short favourites.
But despite being the benchmark squad in women's league, Sergis said the Jillaroos are taking nothing for granted.
"We don't really think like that. We want to play our style … take it week by week, back ourselves, back our footy and enjoy the ride.
Sergis (left) and Roosters teammate Isabelle Kelly are backing up just weeks after winning the NRLW grand final. Getty Images
“I’m excited to be around players I hate playing against and to have them in my team – that’s the best part about a World Cup campaign.
“(Samoa) is going to be a battle – they’ve got some big bodies that are going to test us, but I back my squad, and I’m really excited for the challenge.”
Also in Group A with Australia and Samoa is England and Wales. Group B includes Fiji, France, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
The Jillaroos-Samoa game kicks off the women’s World Cup, played parallel to the men’s competition. Kick off is at 8.05pm at CommBank Stadium, following the men’s match between Samoa and France.
