# Australia Names Squads for Rugby League World Cup Finals Against New Zealand Jillaroos make surprise selection changes while men's teams finalize lineups for Sunday's championship. - **Source:** [ABC Australia – Science](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/754c0f2f-e739-48ac-a796-74d459c8179f ## Jillaroos Roster Surprise The Australian women's team, the Jillaroos, has introduced a significant tactical change for the upcoming World Cup final against New Zealand. Coach Jess Skinner opted to start Jesse Southwell at five-eighth, replacing Jocelyn Kelleher. This decision arrives despite Kelleher's consistent performance throughout the tournament, including her notable debut against Samoa. ## Southwell's Proven Impact Jesse Southwell earned her starting position following an exceptional performance during the record-breaking 124-6 victory over Wales. In that match, she contributed 44 points, including one try and 20 successful goals from 21 attempts. Her recent success in the State of Origin series further solidified her selection for this high-stakes final. ## Kelleher's Tactical Shift Jocelyn Kelleher, who previously shared a strong partnership with half-back Tarryn Aiken during their NRLW title run, has been moved to the 21 jersey. Although she played in three of Australia's four tournament matches, the coaching staff prioritized Southwell’s specific playmaking abilities for the final showdown at Lang Park this Sunday. ## Injury Management Decisions Despite concerns regarding a hamstring issue sustained during the 30-14 semifinal win against Fiji, Jaime Chapman has been named on the wing. Her inclusion indicates that the medical staff is confident in her fitness levels for the championship match. The Kiwi Ferns, meanwhile, have retained the exact same seventeen-player lineup. ## Men's Team Adjustments The New Zealand men's team welcomes back winger Ronaldo Mulitalo following his one-match suspension for a shoulder charge against Fiji. To accommodate his return, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been removed from the starting side. This change follows New Zealand's dominant 34-10 semifinal victory over Tonga, aiming to bolster their attacking edge against Australia. ## Australia's Men's Stability Australia has decided to maintain the same squad that secured a convincing 44-12 victory over Samoa in the semifinals. Coach Kevin Walters has kept Bradman Best at left centre and Tom Dearden at number seven. Notable players Latrell Mitchell and Sam Walker remain listed as reserves at numbers eighteen and nineteen respectively. ## Tournament Context and Venue The Rugby League World Cup finals are scheduled to take place at Lang Park in Brisbane. This venue serves as the stage for both the men's and women's deciders this Sunday. The atmosphere is expected to be intense as both nations compete for international supremacy in this premier rugby league competition. ## Strategic Final Outlook The selection of Southwell and the retention of Chapman highlight Australia's aggressive approach to the women's final. With New Zealand's men's team regaining Mulitalo, both sides are entering the decider with their preferred tactical configurations. These final adjustments reflect the high level of preparation required for such a prestigious international sporting event. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/kangaroos-jillaroos-rugby-league-world-cup-final-teams/107368668 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._