2 weeks Ago By Martin Gabor
Jillaroos skipper Ali Brigginshaw insists there’s no pressure on Australia ahead of Sunday’s showdown with New Zealand after the Kiwi Ferns stunned them in last year’s Pacific Cup final. The sides will meet again in Christchurch just 12 months after New Zealand’s shock 12-6 win in the final which came just two weeks after the Aussies escaped with a narrow win in the pool stage. Australia is coming off a thumping 84-0 win over Papua New Guinea where wingers Julia Robinson and Jakiya Whitfeld combined for 11 tries in Brisbane, but this will be much tougher competition.
The game is a sell-out and there won’t be much support for the Jillaroos who can book a spot in next month’s final with another win against the side they thumped in the World Cup final two years ago. “I don’t think there’s too much pressure (on us). I just think it’s the standards that we have at the Jillaroos,” Brigginshaw said.
“For us, it’s about what we do. It’s not about what they do. “Coming to Christchurch and playing in front of their fans will be great, but with our backs up against the wall, that will bring the best out of our team.
“It’s sold out so I’ve had some of the Kiwi girls trying to steal my tickets, but I don’t need any more people there booing against us. “I just feel like we’ll get the best out of our team being in New Zealand and coming off the back of a loss (against them).” Brigginshaw is back on deck to lead the side after she missed last week’s win due to a finger injury which required surgery.
The Broncos veteran is looking forward to lining up against Brisbane teammate Gayle Broughton on Sunday, with the experienced playmaker just happy to be back after having to miss the Suncorp Stadium opener. “I always get embarrassed saying I had to miss a game of footy because of a finger,” she said. “(I got) a few plates and pins, but that’s all right.
It’s extra strong. “He (the doctor) was awesome. He put a titanium (plate) in because he knew I wanted to play pretty quickly.
I tried to play after three weeks, but he encouraged me to go four weeks.”.
