Axed superstar Olivia Kernick breaks silence on ‘sad’ omission from Jillaroos team

NRLW superstar Olivia Kernick has revealed her disappointment at being axed from the Jillaroos, in her first comments since Australia’s squad announcement for the Pacific Championships.

Kernick had been out celebrating the Roosters’ premiership victory on Monday when she learned Jillaroos coach Brad Donald had omitted her from his 21-player squad for the series that begins next week.

She had appeared a lock for selection, having become the first second-rower to win the NRLW’s Dally M Medal, before scoring the first and decisive tries of Sunday’s grand final win over Cronulla.

Kernick was also among NSW’s best in the inaugural three-match State of Origin series this year, and played for Australia in last year’s post-season Pacific Championships.

But this time around Donald preferred Kezie Apps, Yasmine Clydsdale and Mahalia Murphy as second-row options for the Test campaign that begins against Papua New Guinea on October 18.

Apps spent most of the NRLW season sidelined with a knee injury, though she will return to the field for the Prime Minister’s XIII match against PNG on Sunday, while Murphy has not played for Australia since 2015.

Kernick described premiership celebrations as “bittersweet” after learning of her omission.

“You know what? It was sad and I know what I need to work on,” she said on the Upfront podcast hosted by Roosters teammates Millie Elliott and Keeley Davis.

“I was with my teammates and I actually enjoyed the rest of the day. I had a good time.

“Disappointed for myself, but so happy for the girls and can’t wait to cheer them on. Obviously would’ve loved to have been in there with you girls.”

Reports emerged on Wednesday that the Australian Rugby League Commission would investigate the reasoning for Kernick’s omission from the team, given her stellar season.

On Monday, Donald said the 23-year-old was “not too far off” selection and that the loss to New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships final had factored into his decision to overlook five incumbent players.

He said Kernick would be the next player called into the squad should injury strike.

Donald was widely slammed for the decision with former Australian international Greg Alexander and prominent commentator Andrew Voss questioning whether Donald was entirely across the Origin series, which was played before the NRLW season.

“One of his excuses was she started on the bench through Origin, which was a bit strange maybe because Mal (Meninga, Kangaroos coach) used Origin to explain (dropping) James Tedesco and James Edwards — he thought he’d throw that line,” Alexander said on SEN on Tuesday.

In reality, Kernick started all three Origin games and put in massive shifts to average 152 metres and 25 tackles.

“That’s a really bad blue (by Donald). Game one, game two, she is in jumper 15. She was selected on the bench, she started both of them and then started the third game as well. She started all three games of the series,” leading commentator Andrew Voss said.

Alexander replied: “Don’t tell me Brad Donald didn’t watch the Origin games, and he’s the Australian coach! Tell me that didn’t happen!”

Voss said: “Bloody hell, that’s a scandal. That’s seriously bad. You can’t quote that at a press conference.”

Roosters teammate Elliott said she was disappointed her return to the Jillaroos had coincided with the axing of Kernick and Davis from the team.

“I’m a one-hit wonder, I played one game back in 2019. It’s my first time back in the team, obviously would’ve loved to be in there with you girls,” she said.

- With Ben Sutton