12:00a.m. 14th November 2008

Rugby league history has been made with the Australian Jillaroos winning through to their first Women’s World Cup final tomorrow thanks to some crucial converts from other elite sports teams.

This Australian team to take on New Zealand in the big one at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow as a curtain-raiser to the men’s World Cup owe their fire and leg power to potent mix of rep rugby, netball, softball, round-ball football, Oztag and athletics.

And Jillaroos coach Karen Stuart is delighted to have every “defector” on board because of their passion.

Hard-running backrower Kylie Pennell is a current dual international having not long taken on the Kiwis in a rugby Test series in New Zealand, while classy centre Lisa Fiaola gave up her Australian rugby spot last year to concentrate on league.

And Stuart was quick to swoop on former Queensland Firebird Deanne Turner when she saw her in action playing for the Mackay Magpies. Another formidable force for the Aussies is former state sprint champion Jo Barrett.

Denise McGrath used to play Oztag for NZ before moving to Australia and taking up league, while Jessica Palmer was a former footballer based at the NSW Institute of Sport.

The Sunshine Coast also has another local connection, apart from two Sunshine Coast Sirens representative players, in former Australian softballer Tracey Bailey who attended Coolum State High School.

“They have all come to their senses and are playing league now – that’s the important thing,” Stuart said.

“They bring with them the right attitude that comes from competing at an elite level.”

All their strength, stamina and mental toughness will be called on to beat world champs New Zealand.

Palmer will be in the mix as she was found to have no case to answer after being put on report in Wednesday’s 32-6 thrashing of the Pacific Islands.

The hard-luck story for the Aussies is the loss of fierce bench player Neena Fraser who fractured an eye-socket and nose.

The Jillaroos came away buoyed by the way the Kiwis could not dominate England in their 16-4 semi-final win.

“We haven’t played all our cards yet, ” Stuart said.

Tonight the Australia Police will be playing for pride against Great Britain for third spot in the PoliceWorld Cup at Kawana.