Julie Young has been selected in the Australian women’s rugby league team despite playing limited time for the Maitland Pickers this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Young was named in the 18-person Jillaroos squad yesterday ahead of their showdown with New Zealand in Wollongong on November 9.
She was given the nod to tackle Kiwi Ferns at WIN Stadium after impressing new Jillaroos coach Steve Folkes at a recent training camp in Queensland.
Folkes had invited Young to the session after watching footage of Australia’s successful World Cup campaign in England last year.
Young, her younger sister Emma and their sister-in-law Bec all wore the green and gold during Australia’s inaugural World Cup victory.
Australia became the first nation outside New Zealand to win the women’s World Cup after beating the three-time defending champions 22-12 in the decider at Headingly.
Twelve players, including Young, from that triumphant side will reunite for the first time since claiming the coveted silverware.
They will be joined by six debutants including NSW women’s player of the year Kezie Apps.
The Jillaroos go into camp on November 3.
The women’s test will be a curtain-raiser for the men’s match between Australia and Samoa.
Meanwhile, West Maitland junior Greg Bird will be the starting lock for Australia in the Kangaroos clash with New Zealand at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Fellow Hunter product Sione Mata’utai, a Raymond Terrace and South Newcastle junior, was named on a seven-man bench while his Newcastle Knights teammate Beau Scott will wear the No.11 jersey.
Alex Sulusi (Canley Heights, NSW)
Ali Brigginshaw (Souths Logan, QLD)
Annette Brander (Beerwah, QLD)
Brittany Breayley (North Ipswich, QLD)
Karina Brown (Burleigh , QLD)
Deanna Turner (Mackay, QLD)
Elianna Walton (Canley Heights, NSW)
Heather Ballinger (Souths Logan, QLD)
Jenni-Sue Hoepper (Souths Logan, QLD)
Julie Young (Maitland, NSW)
Kezie Apps (Helensburgh, NSW)
Maddison Studdon (Helensburgh, NSW)
Renae Kunst (Souths Logan, QLD)
Ruan Sims (Helensburgh, NSW)
Sam Hammond (Helensburgh, NSW)
Simaima Taufa-Kautai (Canley Heights)
Steph Hancock (Souths Logan, QLD)
Vanessa Folia (Canley Heights)