It's on again - Bremner rejoins battle for No.1 jerseys

She's back… Sam Bremner has completed her maternity leave and has resumed her place in the Jillaroos squad for the 2020 and 2021 international seasons.

That also means the battle is on in earnest for not just the Australian No.1 jersey but the NSW Origin fullback role as well.

Corban McGregor filled that position for her state and country in 2019. She'd like to keep her spot.

But she also knows how good Bremner is at fullback.

"It's amazing to have Sam back. She held that No.1 jersey for so long in the past and done so well in that jersey," McGregor told NRL.com.

"She's had a bub but will again hold such very high standards as an athlete and a person.

"Obviously with my goals of wanting to play fullback it just creates that competition, which I think is really healthy and really important to have within any team.

"I thrive on that stuff. I just want to put my best forward and whoever gets that spot, deserves it."

The pair were part of the 30-player Jillaroos squad that recently spent a four-day intensive camp on the Gold Coast with Australian coach Brad Donald and his staff, who are already well advanced in their plans for the 2021 World Cup.

The Jillaroos have drawn New Zealand, France and the Cook Islands in their pool, with England, Papua New Guinea, Canada and Brazil the remaining teams.

Australia are chasing a three-peat after winning in 2013 and 2017.

Crucial to their chances will be the way Donald assembles his spine.

McGregor played centre in the 2018 NSW Origin team with Bremner at fullback. She played in the centres at the 2017 World Cup final and again for the Maori All Stars last month.

With the NSW City v Country game on May 17 cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak that's one less chance for Donald to see McGregor and Bremner square off.

The game would have been NSW coach Andrew Patmore's selection trial for the Women's State of Origin game, set down for June 19 at Queensland's Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Also in the mix is Bo Vette-Welsh, who was also in the Jillaroos camp and played No.1 for the Maori All Stars team.

"And you've got Nakia (Davis-Welsh) who is back from having her baby. So there's a lot in contention for that one position," McGregor said.

"As a player it can get scary but as a team it's so good.

"For me and Sam, we are quite different in the role. When I think of Sammy I think of fit, fast, agile. Overall she is an awesome fullback.

"My strengths – and I'm not saying Sammy doesn't have these – is that I love returning the ball back really strong. That's the feedback I get from the coaching staff.

"I like to play real eyes-up footy, and I'm working on knowing when is the best time to run and the best time to pass.

"With experience that will come. And when I look at the men's game, the fullbacks like James Tedesco are so switched on with that sort of stuff. That's what I aspire to."