Three members of the 2025 Westpac NSW Blues Women’s side are now set to make their international debuts having been named in the 21-player Australian Jillaroos squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships tournament.
The Jillaroos take on Fetu Samoa to kick off their campaign at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (26 October), then the Kiwi Ferns at Eden Park the following week (2 November). The tournament final takes place at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium on Sunday 9 November.
Jesse Southwell (Newcastle Knights), Ellie Johnston (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) and Jocelyn Kelleher (Sydney Roosters), will have the opportunity to wear the green and gold for the first time and have earned a call-up alongside nine other Blues who were part of the side that reclaimed the Women’s State of Origin Shield in 2025.
They include Jillaroos co-captain Kezie Apps, Yasmin Clydsdale, Keeley Davis, Isabelle Kelly, Olivia Kernick, Tiana Penitani Gray, Jessica Sergis, Sarah Togatuki and Emma Verran.
Roosters prop Rima Butler, Sharks hooker Quincy Dodd and North Queensland Cowboys outside back Jakiya Whitfeld round out the 15 NSW representatives in Jess Skinner’s squad.
“This is a strong squad with a number of established Jillaroos as well as players who have progressed to this level through their form in the NRLW competition,” Skinner said.
“This is a really important tournament for us and I expect this squad to perform at the highest level as we continue to look towards not only next year’s World Cup but also progressing the women’s game at international level.”
Kezie Apps (c) (Wests Tigers), Ali Brigginshaw (c) (Brisbane Broncos), Rima Butler * (Sydney Roosters), Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle Knights), Keeley Davis (Sydney Roosters), Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jessika Elliston (Gold Coast Titans), Ellie Johnston * (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Keilee Joseph (Brisbane Broncos), Jocelyn Kelleher * (Sydney Roosters), Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters), Sienna Lofipo * (Gold Coast Titans), Tiana Penitani Gray (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos), Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Jesse Southwell * (Newcastle Knights), Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers), Tamika Upton (Brisbane Broncos), Jakiya Whitfeld (North Queensland Cowboys), Emma Verran (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks).
* Denotes debutante
Pacific Championships Women 2025 – Jillaroos schedule
Round Two – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Sunday 26 October, 2pm AEDT
Round Three – Eden Park, Auckland – Sunday 2 November, 1.35pm AEDT
