Jillaroos Snub Retiring Legend Brigginshaw for World Cup Squad

Ali Brigginshaw's decorated international career will not end at the Rugby League World Cup after Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner left the retiring legend out of Australia's squad for the tournament.

Skinner admitted delivering the news was brutal. "It was one of the hardest phone calls I've had to make as a coach," she told reporters, revealing the veteran halfback was upset at the decision. "She's won three World Cups. She's won player of the match twice. A Golden Boot winner. She's served this jersey for over 17 years, so that was a decision that was really hard to make."

Brigginshaw, who retired from the NRLW on Sunday after Brisbane's grand final defeat to the Roosters, had hoped to bow out of the game in green and gold at the World Cup. Instead, Skinner named Roosters centre Isabelle Kelly as the new captain, backed Sydney club teammates Jocelyn Kelleher and Tarryn Aiken, and turned to young Broncos star Jesse Southwell in the halves.

The decision closes one of the great Jillaroos careers without a farewell on the sport's biggest stage, as Australia chase a title on home soil when the tournament kicks off on October 15 across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.