Olivia Kernick excuse exposed after NRLW star dropped by Jillaroos coach Brad Donald

NRL identities have questioned Jillaroos coach Brad Donald after Dally M medallist Olivia Kernick was dropped from the Australian squad for the Pacific Championships.

The 23-year-old capped off an outstanding season for Sydney Roosters with a starring role in their 32-28 win over Cronulla in Sunday’s NRLW grand final.

But the second-rower came crashing back down to earth when she was omitted from the Jillaroos squad in favour of the returning Kezie Apps and NSW State of Origin representative Yasmin Clydsdale.

Mahalia Murphy was also preferred over Kernick for her versatility, after featuring in one Test for the Jillaroos in 2015 and playing second row at Parramatta this year.

But it was part of Donald’s justification for dropping Kernick that raised eyebrows.

“Liv is probably not too far off, she was on the bench for NSW this year as well and she will be the next one in if something went down,” Donald said on Monday.

“When you’ve got the captain in your position in Kezie Apps, it’s quite difficult. Then the versatility (of) Mahalia as well.”

Former Australian international Greg Alexander and prominent commentator Andrew Voss questioned 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.”

Alexander believed Kernick initially being named on the bench, and therefore wearing No.15, was the only explanation.

“He’s seen 15... how can he have watched? If he’s actually said she started on the bench in Origin. How can he say that if she didn’t?” he said.

Beyond Donald’s Origin faux pas, Voss said they were “wound up about it” and believed the in-form forward being overlooked was a bigger story than any of the Kangaroos’ selection decisions.

“It’s almost scandalous. It’s really worth some investigation here,” he said.

Veteran journalist David Riccio claimed “there has to be other reasons” for Kernick’s omission.

“There’s no way in the world — on form, which, you’d like to think, representative teams are on form, she makes the team every single day of the week,” he said.

Voss then aired an unverified rumour that Donald “has a problem with Kernick’s attitude”.

“Maybe, Brad, you have to work in with Kernick. (Roosters coach) John Strange doesn’t seem to have much of a problem with Kernick’s attitude, she got player of the year and he won the comp with her!” he said.

“I’m blown away.”

Kernick was not the only star overlooked, with Jaime Chapman also dropped despite being named NSW’s Origin player of the year last month.

Chapman has been hampered by a hamstring injury this season at Gold Coast but, curiously, has been cleared to play in a Prime Minister’s XIII match against Papua New Guinea this weekend.

“Her form has been a little bit off because of those injuries, but another one that could step up if needed,” Donald said.

Sydney Roosters hooker Keeley Davis, Cronulla star Emma Tonegato and North Queensland dummy-half Emma Manzelmann are the other incumbents to miss out.

Kennedy Cherrington and Caitlin Johnston are also unavailable.

Parramatta No.1 Abbi Church, Cronulla hooker Quincy Dodd, Newcastle Olivia Higgins and Wests Tigers prop Sarah Togatuki are all in line for possible debuts.

Ali Brigginshaw is expected to be fit after requiring finger surgery, and could play lock or in the halves depending on how Donald uses Tarryn Aiken and Lauren Brown.

Tamika Upton has kept the fullback jersey ahead of Sam Bremner, with the retiring Sydney Roosters star not considered as planning continues for the 2026 World Cup.

Jillaroos squad

Kezie Apps (capt) , Ali Brigginshaw (capt), Tarryn Aiken, Lauren Brown, Abbi Church, Yasmin Clydsdale, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Jessika Elliston, Olivia Higgins, Keilee Joseph, Isabelle Kelly, Shannon Mato, Mahalia Murphy, Tiana Penitani, Julia Robinson, Simaima Taufa, Jess Sergis, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, Jakiya Whitfeld.