Interstate champions dominate

The victors have taken the spoils with NSW players involved in winning the interstate challenge dominating the Jillaroos team named yesterday for the upcoming World Cup.

The team representing the host nation at the event has a mix of new and old faces, five players who have captained Australia and a majority of Blues players.

In all, NSW has 14 players in the team with Queensland fielding nine.

Meg Ward, from the Northern Territory, is the only player from outside NSW and Queensland to crack the squad.

The Jillaroos are hoping to extend their successes in the Auckland Nines, May Test against New Zealand and recent international against PNG into the World Cup.

Coach Brad Donald has named a squad of 24 which begins on November 16 in Sydney.

The squad includes 16 World Cup debutants, as well as five players who have captained Australia this year, Sam Bremner, Karina Brown, Steph Hancock, Renae Kunst and Ruan Sims.

“Every member of the Jillaroos has had the opportunity to press for selection across training camps and matches this year and there is no doubt that as an extended team, we are closer than we have ever been and committed to our goal of retaining the World Cup,” Donald said.

“With the tournament being staged in our home country, we will be drawing on local support and our intention is to complete the year with a World Cup win.”

THE JILLAROOS: Kezie Apps, Chelsea Baker, Heather Ballinger, Annette Brander, Brittany Breayley, Sam Bremner, Ali Brigginshaw, Karina Brown, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Vanessa Foliaki, Steph Hancock, Isabelle Kelly, Renae Kunst, Corban McGregor, Caitlin Moran, Lavina O’Mealey, Talesha Quinn, Ruan Sims, Maddie Studdon, Zahara Temara, Simaima Taufa, Elianna Walton, Meg Ward, Rebecca Young