Cross-code gun Sariah Paki is on the verge of adding a Rugby League World Cup victory to her bulging trophy cabinet.
After savouring a Sevens World Cup triumph in in 2022 as well as winning Commonwealth Games gold, a World Series and representing Australia at the Olympics, Paki joined the Roosters this season looking for a new challenge and to pursue a family connection.
“It’s been a long journey, but I’ve loved every step of it, and hopefully to win a World Cup would definitely top my year,” the 25-year-old said.
“(Why I made the switch was) I wanted to try something new, I had a potential chance to play with my sister coming over to the Roosters, so as soon as I heard that she was playing, I wanted to make that step, no regrets, it was really good.”
Sariah Paki at Jillaroos captain’s run.
©Scott Davis / NRL Images
Paki is one of seven premiership-winning Roosters facing the Kiwi Ferns in the decider, alongside milestone women halfback Tarryn Aiken (15 Tests) and skipper Isabelle Kelly (25 Tests).
The Jillaroos donned special shirts during captain’s run to mark the milestone, with Kelly becoming the second player to notch 25 Tests in this campaign behind Kezie Apps.
Taking over the Australian captaincy this year, Paki was full of praise for the Kelly who was looking to complete an undefeated season.
“She’s been a great captain, she was my captain in Roosters, and, honestly, she makes you feel welcome at home and she made me feel (able) to play freely,
Sariah Paki and Isabelle Kelly at the Roosters.
©Chloe Davis / NRL Images
“Definitely ups to my captain Izzy.
“I’m so excited to have her as captain here as well… she definitely gets the job done as a captain, she leads well on and off the field.
“She’s an amazing person, Izzy.
“She hates things being about her, so she’s a very selfless person, but we definitely love to show our appreciation of each team player making their milestones.”
The Jillaroos’ hard-fought win over Fiji in the semi-final proved the perfect hit-out for the decider against traditional rivals New Zealand, who have also gone through the tournament unbeaten.
“It’s going to be a great match-up, we love going head-to-head with the Kiwis, we’ve done it for a number of years now and there’s a lot of rich history within that,” Kelly said.
“It’s exciting…
“They’ve got a lot of strike across the park and their outside backs and then their middles that lead them really well down the field, so, it’s going to be tough.
“I think that’s exactly what you want for some finals footy.”