Olivia Kernick caught up in 'scandalous' Jillaroos drama as coach's 'excuse' proven false

Jillaroos coach Brad Donald has been taken to task over a comment he made to justify Olivia Kernick's axing from the Australian squad that has since been disproven. There was a huge shock in the NRLW world on Monday when Dally M medallist Kernick was omitted from Donald's Test squad for the Pacific Championships.

Kernick had an outstanding season with the Sydney Roosters, starring in the grand final victory on Sunday after being crowned the women's Dally M medallist last Wednesday night. The 23-year-old back-rower played for the Jillaroos last year and has been a mainstay in the NSW State of Origin team.

But Donald caused a huge shock on Monday when he didn't name Kernick in his 21-player squad, despite the fact she was easily the best player in the NRLW season. Donald opted to retain veteran captain Kezie Apps instead, as well as her NSW second-row partner Yasmin Clydsdale.

Mahalia Murphy was also preferred over Kernick due to her versatility, despite the fact she's only played one Test for the Jillaroos way back in 2015. Discussing Kernick's snub on Monday, Donald claimed the 23-year-old started on the bench for the Sky Blues in this year's Origin series.

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

"There is some change ... we lost our first game in nine years last year against (New Zealand). I've spoken to all of the incumbents, there are five who didn't make the squad and they are all very disappointed and know what they have to work on."

And while Kernick played in the No.15 jersey in the first two Origin games, Donald's claim that she came off the bench isn't actually true. The Roosters player started every game at lock despite being initially named on the interchange for the first two games. In the series decider she was picked to start at lock and played in the 13 jersey.

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And the fact Donald got that key fact wrong hasn't gone down well. Discussing the situation on SEN radio on Tuesday, veteran commentator Andrew Voss said: “That’s a really bad blue (by Donald). Game 1, Game 2, 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."

Panthers legend Greg Alexander said: “Don’t tell me Brad Donald didn’t watch the Origin games, and he’s the Australian coach. Tell me that didn’t happen! 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?”

Voss added: “Bloody hell, that’s a scandal. That’s seriously bad. You can’t quote that at a press conference. It’s almost scandalous. It’s really worth some investigation here." Veteran journalist David Riccio said: “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."

Jaime Chapman was the other big name to be dropped despite being named NSW's Origin player of the year last month. Chapman has emerged as the premier winger in the women's game, but has been hampered by a hamstring injury this season with the Gold Coast Titans. However she's 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.

Jillaroos squad for women's Pacific Championship Tests:

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

with AAP