The Jillaroos have received a huge boost for Sunday\u2019s game against New Zealand with Dally M winner Tamika Upton cleared to return from injury for the Pacific Championships final in Sydney.<\/p>\n
Upton missed last week\u2019s narrow win over the Kiwi Ferns due to a minor calf strain but slots straight back into the team at fullback.<\/p>\n
Olivia Higgins replaces Keeley Davis (shoulder) at hooker, while Jess Sergis drops to the bench with speedster Jakiya Whitfeld replacing her on the wing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew last week in Auckland was going to be a step up and there were a lot of positives in coming away with a win in a tight contest, but we know we have to be better in all facets of the game to come out on top again in the final,\u201d Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited for the challenge of playing for a major trophy in front of our home fans, it\u2019s going to be an incredible atmosphere, and we want to make Australia proud with our performance on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
New Zealand has made a significant change with the experienced Ash Quinlan replacing young gun Patricia Maliepo in the halves as the visitors look to shock Australia as they did in 2023. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are glad to have another crack at the Jillaroos this week,\u201d New Zealand coach Ricky Henry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat last match was a tough battle, but I was proud of how the team performed. We need to get those little things right to keep the pressure on in the final.\u201d <\/p>\n
The men\u2019s final will be Kieran Foran\u2019s last in professional rugby league, with the fearless playmaker set to return to Manly in 2026 as an assistant coach.<\/p>\n
Foran started his NRL career there back in 2009 before a whirlwind journey across the competition which included another short stint on the northern beaches before he finished his playing career at the Titans.<\/p>\n
He will play halfback in his final game, with New Zealand coach Stacey Jones naming an unchanged 17 from the one that crushed Tonga last week to book a spot in the decider at CommBank Stadium.<\/p>\n
For Samoa, Jaydn Su\u2019A returns in the back row in place of Jeremiah Nanai who hasn\u2019t been named due to injury. <\/p>\n
The Kiwis were too good for Samoa in a tight contest last month, with the underdogs looking to produce the biggest sporting win the country has ever seen. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be huge. It hasn\u2019t been done before,\u201d halfback Jarome Luai said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a bit of a realist and I understand there\u2019s a lot of work to be done before we can even think about it, but it\u2019d be nice for our small nation. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s right up there, but every time I wear this jersey it\u2019s a big game for me regardless of what\u2019s at the end of the match. Any time you put this jersey on, it\u2019s a big game.\u201d<\/p>\n