You’ve heard of Australian rugby league’s Invincibles and the Unbeatables. Now it’s time to welcome the Unbackables.
If you fancied a punt on the Jillaroos this week, it was best to get in early – because Australia will enter a World Cup semi-final as literally unbackable favourites against $126 outsiders in Papua New Guinea.
Head-to-head betting in favour of Australia has been suspended as Jillaroos coach Brad Donald calls upon seven new faces for the must-win clash at York Community Stadium on Tuesday morning [AEDT].
Evania Pelite, Shenae Ciesiolka, Taliah Fuimaono, Holli Wheeler, Tallisha Harden, Olivia Kernick and Keilee Joseph all return as the Jillaroos attempt to reach a fourth consecutive World Cup final.
“We’ve got a really good squad with seven fresh players as well as Keeley Davis, who played her first game in round three,” Donald said.
“We’ll be looking for some improvements in our attack but we are really happy with how the team has defended the past three games.
Sam Bremner and the Jillaroos are favoured to lift the World Cup.Credit:Getty
“We’ve got a couple of new combinations which is important for preparing the team for all scenarios. I’ve said right from the beginning of this tournament it will take the contribution of 24 players to win it and this team is proof of that philosophy.”
The Jillaroos will enter the semi-final as raging favourites to advance to the decider, where they would await the winner of the second semi-final between England and New Zealand.
New Zealand have never missed a final in five editions of the World Cup, winning the first three before falling at the final hurdle against Australia in both 2013 and 2017.
The Jillaroos are favoured to lift the trophy again, though their pool game against the Kiwi Ferns suggests the final result at Old Trafford isn’t quite a fait accompli.
A Julia Robinson try was all that separated the two sides in the group stages, the Jillaroos holding on for a 10-8 win. Donald said his side seemed “daunted at the start just because they hadn’t scored”, having coasted through their opening two games against the Cook Islands and France by a combined scoreline of 166-0.
“We needed that game. We will get better from that,” Donald said.
Papua New Guinea are looking to bounce back from a 42-4 thrashing at the hands of England in their final pool match.
Jillaroos squad to face Papua New Guinea
6. Emma Tonegato
24. Evania Pelite
5. Isabelle Kelly
15. Jaime Chapman
17. Shenae Ciesiolka
19. Taliah Fuimaono
14. Lauren Brown
7. Tallisha Harden
8. Keeley Davis
9. Holli Wheeler
22. Olivia Kernick
13. Shaylee Bent
21. Keilee Joseph
2. Sammy Bremner
20. Caitlan Johnston
11. Jess Sergis
3. Ali Brigginshaw
18th player – Kennedy Cherrington (16)
19th player – Kezie Apps (1)
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