Dally M Medal winner Olivia Kernick has opened up concerning the second she discovered she had been dumped from the Jillaroos for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Kernick had been having fun with a dream week, profitable the Dally M Medal on Wednesday, then scoring the opening and game-winning tries within the Roosters’ NRLW grand ultimate victory over Cronulla on Sunday.
However she was a shock omission from the 21-woman squad when it was named on Monday, placing a dampener on celebrations and, in response to Information Corp, sparking an investigation by the Australian Rugby League Fee.
Talking on the Upfront podcast alongside Roosters teammates Millie Elliott and Keeley Davis, Kernick mentioned the crew was having fun with their post-premiership social gathering.
However Elliott added: “Till the Jillaroos squad got here out.
“It was a bittersweet day,” Kernick mentioned.
Kernick (left) mentioned her omission made for a “bittersweet” day celebrating the Roosters’ premiership. (Getty Photos: Cameron Spencer)
The 23-year-old performed within the Jillaroos’ triumphant 2022 World Cup marketing campaign and in each video games of final yr’s Pacific Championships.
The again rower was additionally a key a part of NSW’s State of Origin marketing campaign, beginning all three video games at lock, alongside again rowers Yasmin Clydsdale and Kezie Apps, each of whom made the nationwide crew, leaving Kernick and Caitlan Johnston as the one beginning Sky Blues forwards to overlook out.
Jillaroos coach Brad Donald incorrectly mentioned whereas explaining the choice that Kernick got here off the bench in Origin.
“Do not inform me Brad Donald did not watch the Origin video games, and he is the Australian coach. Inform me that did not occur,” Penrith nice Greg Alexander mentioned on his SEN radio present, mentioning Kernick wore quantity 15 within the first two video games however was elevated to the beginning aspect.
“He is seen 15 … how can he have watched? If he is truly mentioned she began on the bench in Origin. How can he say that if she did not?”
Kernick admitted she was upset to have missed out however glad she was together with her premiership teammates when she obtained the unhealthy information.
” what? It was unhappy and I do know what I have to work on,” she mentioned.
“I used to be with my teammates and I truly loved the remainder of the day. I had fun.
“Disenchanted for myself however so comfortable for the ladies and may’t wait to cheer them on. Clearly would’ve beloved to have been in there with you women.
“We have labored actually exhausting this yr, we have all dialled in, we have all made so many sacrifices in {our relationships}, households. It has been such an enormous yr for all of us.”
Whereas Kernick missed out, Elliott is ready to play her first recreation for Australia since 2019, becoming a member of fellow Roosters Tarryn Aiken, Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly within the squad.
The Jillaroos will face Papua New Guinea within the first recreation of the Pacific Championships at Brisbane’s Lang Park on Friday, October 18, adopted by the Kangaroos’ conflict with Tonga.
