Paki chases third title of year in Jillaroos World Cup final
The former rugby sevens international will come off Australia's bench against New Zealand after winning World Series and NRLW titles.
Sariah Paki will take a place on the Jillaroos bench against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium, with the women's World Cup final offering her a chance to complete a three-title year.
The 25-year-old forward won the World Series with Australia's rugby sevens team before switching codes and joining the Sydney Roosters. The club went unbeaten through its NRLW premiership campaign.
Paki said the season reminded her of 2022, when she helped Australia claim Commonwealth Games, World Series and World Cup honours in sevens. She said another World Cup victory would cap a journey she had enjoyed.
While Paki said she relished the pressure of major matches, maintaining concentration across 70 minutes had been an adjustment from the 14-minute sevens format.
New Zealand centre Stacey Waaka enters the final with nine tries in the tournament and the women's Golden Boot award. Paki, who faced Waaka in sevens, said she would share her knowledge with Jillaroos captain Isabelle Kelly, who is set for her 25th Test.
Paki said Kelly had helped her development at both the Roosters and the Jillaroos. The final also carries a family connection: Paki has Maori heritage and said choosing between Australia and New Zealand had been difficult. The opportunity to play alongside Kelly and Tamika Upton helped draw her to the Jillaroos.
