One of the most confounding selection decisions in recent memory was made this week, after the Australian women’s rugby league team the Jillaroos opted not to pick reigning Dally M Medallist and 2024 premier Olivia Kernick. 

Despite what was undoubtedly a banner year for Kernick, she was not rewarded with a spot on the national team, with the selection panel instead opting for names like Kezie Apps, Yasmin Clydsdale, and Mahalia Murphy.

But if the snub didn’t raise enough eyebrows, Jillaroos coach Brad Donald was then caught in a lie when trying to justify not selecting the game’s current best player. 

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Jillaroos coach slammed for lying about controversial snub

As if not selecting the Dally M Medallist wasn’t bad enough, Donald has found himself in hot water after comments around her snubbing were proven to be false. 

“Liv is probably not too far off, she was on the bench for NSW this year as well and she will be the next one in if something went down,” Donald said.

The only problem? Kernick started all three State of Origin games this year. Despite being named in the interchange for games one and two initially, she started both at lock, and was handed the number 13 jersey for game three, directly contradicting Donald’s comments. 

On SEN’s Vossy and Brandy, NRL legend Greg Alexander and commentator Andrew Voss slammed Donald, saying that his comments were scandalous. 

“That’s a really bad blue (by Donald). Game 1, Game 2, she is in jumper 15. She was selected on the bench, she started both of them and then started the third game as well. She started all three games of the series,” Voss said.

“Don’t tell me Brad Donald didn’t watch the Origin games, and he’s the Australian coach. Tell me that didn’t happen,” Alexander added.

“He’s seen 15… how can he have watched? If he’s actually said she started on the bench in Origin. How can he say that if she didn’t?”