Live: Jillaroos kick off day of trans-Tasman World Cup finals

In a thrilling Rugby League World Cup finale, the Jillaroos and Kangaroos took on their New Zealand counterparts, the Ferns and Kiwis, respectively. The women's match kicked off at 3:10pm AEST at Brisbane's Lang Park, while the men's game began at 6:35pm AEST. These games marked the culmination of a grueling rugby league season in searing heat and humidity in Brisbane.

However, the Jillaroos faced a significant setback in their campaign. Coach Jess Skinner made a startling move, replacing five-eighth Jocelyn Kelleher with Jesse Southwell. Southwell had only played in the team's previous match, which they won convincingly against Wales (124-6). In contrast, Kelleher had been a standout player throughout the tournament, forming a perfect partnership with Sydney Roosters' premiership-winning teammate Tarryn Aiken.

The absence of Kelleher saw her entirely cut from the 17-player squad, leaving her out of the national team for the remainder of the competition. This dramatic decision left the women's team in a state of uncertainty, as they prepared to face their Kiwi rivals in the decider. The men's final was set to follow, adding to the drama of the thrilling tournament.