Jillaroos stalwart Simaima Taufa was eyeing a semi-final win against an “unreal” Fiji Bulikula side, citing extra motivation with good friend Kezie Apps bringing up 25 Test caps.
There with Apps as she made her international debut in 2014 against New Zealand, Taufa said to be part of her special match was an honour, with only five other women having achieved the feat.
Jillaroos stalwarts Simaima Taufa and Kezie Apps.
©Scott Davis / NRL Images
“I was there for Kezie’s debut, so it’s taken her 12 years to get here,” Taufa said.
“To celebrate her in such a pinnacle moment and playing a semi-final against Fiji’s unreal and I know that the team is extra motivated this week to get the job done.”
Sitting out last week’s record 124-6 win over Wales, Taufa is one of a number of key forwards to return this week alongside fellow prop Millie Elliott and second-rower Tiana Penitani Gray, who has recovered from a foot injury.
While the Jillaroos are hot favourites to defend their World Cup title, Taufa was not looking that far ahead and praised the play of their upcoming opponents Fiji, as well as their fellow semi-final debutants Samoa.
“Fiji’s unreal, they play off the cuff,” Taufa said.
“They play what’s happening in front, and they’re a really tough team.
“For Rugby League World Cup as a whole, with the way the Pacific has been able to come across and celebrate their culture… (the players are set) to be role models for those girls back in Fiji and Papua New Guinea and Samoa, (it) is unreal.
“They’re showcasing what women can do and it’ll be the first time in history that Fiji I believe that’s in the semi-finals and I know they’ve got a lot to play for and so do we.”
For their own preparation, the Jillaroos have been working to maintain their high standards across the competition, finding improvements in each performance.
“The great thing about this team is that we chase excellence,” Taufa said.
“We don’t get too caught up in (outside discussions), but we do celebrate those little wins that we get to mark.
“But I think what’s really great about the group and our staff is the fact that we keep chasing their excellence and we don’t get carried away about the external noises.
Simaima Taufa at Jillaroos training.
©Anthony Kourembanas / NRL Images
“(We are) more focusing on what we can get after next, and that’s the semi-final round, this Sunday against Fiji.
“(So) when we did our reviews as a whole… it’s focusing on ourselves and what we can control and that’s our effort areas… and then just doing what we need to do individually that contributes to the to the success of the team.”