Jillaroos coach Brad Donald resigns ahead of Las Vegas Test against England

Brad Donald has resigned from his position as head coach of the Australian women's national rugby league team, the Jillaroos. His replacement, Jess Skinner, has immediately taken action, announcing the squad for the upcoming Test match against England in Las Vegas. This personnel change has garnered widespread attention, marking a new chapter for the Jillaroos team.

Reports surfaced last month indicating that Donald's job was in jeopardy as the National Rugby League (NRL) finalized an investigation into alleged derogatory comments made in front of players. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) confirmed his departure on Friday, after he had served in the role for nine years. His departure precedes the international match in Las Vegas on March 1.

In a statement, the NRL said, "The ARLC thanks Brad for his extensive efforts in coaching and elevating the Jillaroos to become the number one ranked team in the world and a World Cup-winning team." Skinner has been appointed as the interim head coach of the Jillaroos. She has included Dally M Medalist Olivia Kernick and Keilee Davis in the squad for the Las Vegas Test.

Notably, Kernick was controversially excluded from the Jillaroos squad for the Pacific Championships last year. Donald is a long-term employee of the NRL, having started as a game development manager in Queensland in 2002. He became one of the most prominent and influential promoters of women's rugby league, having coached the Jillaroos through their most dominant period.

Donald led Australia to World Cup victories in 2017 and 2022, and at one point, led the Jillaroos to an undefeated streak of 15 matches over seven years, until their only loss to New Zealand in 2023. The following is the Jillaroos squad: Kezie Apps (c), Ali Brigginshaw (c), Tarryn Aiken, Lauren Brown, Yasmin Clydsdale, Keilee Davis, Quincy Dodd, Jessica Elliston, Olivia Higgins, Keilee Joseph, Isabelle Kelly, Olivia Kernick, Shannon Mato, Mahalia Murphy, Tiana Penitani, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, Jakiya Whitfeld (AAP)