Kezie Apps will become the second most-capped Jillaroo from the current team when she takes the field in the November World Cup, but for the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues skipper it still all feels brand new.
Apps is now equal with Gold Coast duo Annette Brander and Brittany Breayley on 10 caps for Australia. But the Titans pair are not part of the 2021 World Cup squad.
Apps has the chance to eclipse Ruan Sims and Karina Brown (11 caps) with the five World Cup matches on offer: three pool rounds, a semi-final and final.
The most-capped current player is Ali Brigginshaw (17), who along with Apps and fellow Sky Blue Sam Bremner is a co-captain for this year’s Jillaroos.
“Even though I’m one of the leaders and one of the oldest in the Jillaroos, it still never sinks in for me because I feel like I’m new to the squad every time I come into camp to be honest,” Apps, 31, told nswrl.com.au.
It feels like my first day of school – I get really excited because it means the world to me.
Having three co-captains is also not foreign to Apps as she played under Steph Hancock, Renae Kunst and Sims in the 2017 World Cup.
“If we’re all out there it doesn’t really change things, we’ll all lead in our own way,” Apps said.
“Someone will have the ‘c’ next to their name for each game this time around and they’ll be the one talking to the ref and making the decisions.”
There are 13 new faces in the Jillaroos 24-woman squad made up of 15 NSW players and nine from Queensland. Blending all that together would not be hard, Apps said.
“I feel like the NRLW has helped shape them (debutants) into the next-level athlete in terms of professionalism and preparation,” she said.
“So, it’s been easier to transition them into that next stage, whether that’s been part of the Origin squad or now the Jillaroos squad. They’ve been in the NRLW system and know what’s expected.
“They haven’t had to learn a different way; they’ve just come into a different environment.
“It’s been easier to guide them and bring them together.”
Apps, Brigginshaw and Bremner have been “educating the girls” on what it means to be a Jillaroo, while remembering those who have gone before them.
That trio were all part of the 2017 campaign along with Simaima Taufa and Isabelle Kelly.
“In 2016 when we first got together ahead of the World Cup, I remember there was a squad of around 30 girls and Brad (Australian coach Brad Donald) asked who was under a specific fitness-strength program. And only five of us put up our hands,” Apps said.
“The rest were just relying on club training sessions and not doing too much outside of that.
“Now we’ve seen where the game is going under the guidance of strength and conditioning coaches, proper physios, specialised trainers.
“The girls are getting stronger, fitter, faster and we’ve got that going forward into this Jillaroos campaign.”
Apps has played both prop and back-row this year so is expecting a little of both in the UK.
“Definitely I’ll be in the forwards, and I said to Brad I’d play wherever, so that looks like the front row or second row,” she said.
“Obviously I love the second row and I’d like to play there, but if the team needs me up front then I’ll do that.”
