Jillaroos star duo move on from freak incident

Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson looked up to Isabelle Kelly when she started her rugby league career, which is why she was so worried she might have done serious damage to her close friend last year during a freak collision in the State of Origin series opener.

Kelly had to be helped from the field and was rushed to hospital after she copped an elbow to the throat while trying to make a tackle on Robinson, with scans clearing her of any serious structural damage.

The pair have been great rivals in the NRLW and at state level, but they are as close as can be on the left edge for Australia, with Kelly laughing off any suggestions that she harbours ill will from what happened last year.

“There was no hatred from me whatsoever,” she told the NewsWire from Jillaroos camp in Leura.

“Rugby league is a game where the freakiest of things happen, and that was one of them.

“I love playing with Robbo. She’s my winger and we get along so well. I think that shows on the field with how connected we are.

“We hang out all the time and what happened last year has never crossed my mind.”

Robinson was remorseful after the game that night and was subsequently suspended, with Kelly’s health her only concern.

“I pride myself as being more of a lover than a fighter, so I never want to see anyone hurt,” said Robinson, who is one of the nicest players in the game.

“I have so much respect for her as a player and a person and looked up to her when I first started playing footy, so when I knew that she was really bad, I had this huge worry and fear factor.

“I was messaging her husband and her coach after the game to make sure she was OK because you don’t want to see anyone hurt.

“I was worried because I never want to hurt anyone and it’s even worse because she’s one of my mates and you never want to see a friend go down.”

Robinson scored two tries in the win that night at CommBank Stadium, and it’s somewhat fitting that she’ll return there this weekend when Australia takes on New Zealand in the Pacific Cup final.

The Jillaroos are strong favourites as they look to atone for last year’s shock loss in the final, with Robinson in scintillating form having scored a record six tries in their opening win over PNG.

She now only trails Kelly on Australia’s all-time try-scoring list, with her experienced centre setting up four of her tries that night when she could have easily crashed over.

“I feel like it was one of those games where everything just happened,” Robinson said.

“Izzy was very selfless and gave me a few tries. She definitely could’ve just fallen over and scored about four tries.

“It was a special moment to get the record and it’s one I’ll remember for a long time.”

A win on Sunday would cap the best year of Robinson’s life, with the winger scoring a career-high nine tries in the NRLW and being crowned Brisbane’s player of the year at their awards night.

“Looking back at the last few seasons, I definitely wanted to work on myself and make a few changes,” she said.

“I’ve gone into part-time work with the Broncos and I’ve used that time to focus on myself and my footy career. That’s definitely helped me.

“It wasn’t an issue with the balance in my life. I’m still in the army but I’ve taken some time off at the moment. This year was more special because I was having fun and enjoying life on and off the field.”