Kezie Apps admits it was hard to imagine life in Jillaroos camp without three-time World Cup winner and trailblazer of the women's game Ali Brigginshaw.

Since making her Test debut in 2014, Apps had played alongside Brigginshaw in 16 of her 18 internationals, sharing World Cup glory in 2017 and 2022.

As the Jillaroos opened their 2026 World Cup campaign against Fetu Samoa at CommBank Stadium, they entered a new era with Isabelle Kelly as skipper and Jocelyn Kelleher and Tarryn Aiken in the halves.

The omission of Brigginshaw, who retired from the NRLW after the Broncos' grand final loss to the Roosters, signalled a seismic shift in direction for the national team.

“Ali has been a big part of this team and a big part of my career so for her not to be here, it’s really sad for her,” Apps told NRL.com.

“We know how much this jersey means to her and we’ll definitely be playing for her, I know I will.

“There’s no words that can explain what she has done for this team and her leadership and how she is around the group."

Now the oldest player in the Jillaroos squad at 35, Apps is one of five NRLW skippers in Skinner's squad, with Kelly given the honour of captaining the side.

Fresh off leading the Roosters to an unbeaten NRLW season that culminated with the club's third premiership, Kelly hopes to put the icing on a superb 2026 by guiding the Jillaroos to glory.

“It’s great to see the talent of these girls and I’ve known them for a very long time and just seeing them develop individually over the last couple of years,” Apps said.

“Someone like Issy, I’ve been with her for a very long time, she started playing in 2015 and I was just a year before her, so we’ve been on this journey together for a long time.

“To see the player that she is and the leader she is, I’m so proud of her and to be able to still play with her, especially at this level and for her to lead us out is amazing.”

Apps was part of Australia’s World Cup successes in 2017 and 2022, having been inspired by the Jillaroos’ breakthrough win in 2013. 

Now, she will help guide the next generation towards a fourth straight title, this time on home soil.

“I do feel old, to be fair,” she said.

“It’s nice to be in this space where everyone leads with their actions and has high expectations and high standards and keeps each other accountable.

“I just try and be myself and still get around the girls and make them feel a part of this squad, they deserve to be here and we just keep building for the games to come

“We have high expectations of ourselves and this jersey, we want to be the best, so we have to train like we are, act like we are, so then we can perform like we are.

"We’ve got all the World Cup pictures along the walls and all the girls who came before us and have worn the jersey and who have won and held up the shield."

As Apps and her teammates stare at those photos for inspiration, the legendary Ali Brigginshaw looks back at them. 

She may be gone but she will never be forgotten by those who have shared the journey.