Canberra co-captain Simaima Taufa is the lone Raiders NRLW selection in the Australian Jillaroos squad announced on Tuesday.
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The workhorse forward was rewarded for a stellar season with the Raiders by being named in coach Brad Donald's 21-player squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
"It feels good to be selected," Taufa told The Canberra Times. "You never get comfortable so it was good to get the phone call. It settled a lot of anticipation."
Taufa said she was in the process of organising end-of-season surgery on her right shoulder when the Blues star found out she'd made the Jillaroos squad.
She is able to delay the procedure and having played through the injury for the NRLW season, she's confident it won't be an issue with the Jillaroos.
"I've been blessed with medical staff who have been able to work out a management strategy for it after not being able to play the first Origin game for the Blues," Taufa said.
"Mentally they've gotten me confident in my ability and the rehab process."
![Canberra Raiders NRLW co-captain Simaima Taufa. Picture by Gary Ramage Canberra Raiders NRLW co-captain Simaima Taufa. Picture by Gary Ramage](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/168198572/27fc4750-7714-4d4b-9a06-f902219e3b92.jpg/r0_136_3611_2174_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Taufa was the NRLW's Dally M Captain of the Year and Canberra's NRLW Player of the Year.
Now the 29-year-old will add another Jillaroos cap to her name driving the forward pack at the Pacific Championships.
The tournament was created in a partnership between the Australian Rugby League Commission and the Australian government to promote and develop rugby league in the Pacific region.
The Jillaroos will play New Zealand on October 14 in Townsville in a double-header with the Kangaroos facing Samoa's men's side on the same day.
Then on October 28 in Melbourne the Jillaroos will take on the Kiwi Ferns again in another double-header with the Kangaroos.
"I'm extremely excited to see what this squad is capable of," Jillaroos coach Donald said.
"All of the players have shown great form in the NRLW competition. We have a good mix of experience and youth to ensure the best possible showing against the Kiwi Ferns."
Samoa announced their squad on Tuesday for the tournament that also includes Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, and Fiji.
Two NRLW Raiders - Petesa Lio and Janelle Williams - were named in the Samoan team. Other nations will reveal their squads in the coming days.
The Jillaroos will be led by two co-captains - Broncos veteran Ali Brigginshaw and Tigers star Kezie Apps.
Taufa is one of four players from the expansion teams in the NRLW to be selected in the Jillaroos squad, signalling the strength of the newest league squads.
"The expanded NRLW premiership has been an outstanding success this year and we will now see the best of the best represent the Jillaroos," ARLC chairman Mr Peter V'landys said.
Jillaroos squad: Tarryn Aiken (Roosters), Kezie Apps (Tigers), Shaylee Bent (Titans), Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos), Lauren Brown (Titans), Jaime Chapman (Titans), Kennedy Cherrington (Eels), Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights), Keeley Davis (Roosters), Jess Elliston (Titans), Caitlan Johnston (Knights), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Roosters), Emma Manzelmann (Cowboys), Shannon Mato (Titans), Evania Pelite (Titans), Julia Robinson (Broncos), Jessica Sergis (Roosters), Simaima Taufa (Raiders), Emma Tonegato (Sharks), Tamika Upton (Knights).
Samoa squad: Niall Williams-Guthrie (Titans), Christian Pio (Tigers), Annetta Nu'uausala (Broncos), Onjeurlina Hunt (Vulcans), Makayla Eli (Vulcans), Taylor Mapusua (Dragons), Destiny Mino-Sinipati (Titans), Lindsay Tui (Eels), Petesa Lio (Raiders), Pauline Piliae-Rasabale (Tigers), Sienna Lofipo (Titans), Destiny Brill (Broncos), Pihuka Berryman-Duff (Eels), Fiona Jahnke (Sharks), Jetaya Faifua (Cowboys), Janelle Williams (Raiders), Tamerah Leati (Knights), Tafao Asaua (Eagles), Malaela Sua (Titans), Anasis Afia (Apia Samoa).
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