Jillaroos mainstay Whitfeld desperate to crack Origin puzzle

Jillaroos and Cowboys star Jakiya Whitfeld has set her sights on a NSW debut as her focus turns to a season she hopes culminates in a World Cup win.

The winger has been a mainstay in the Australian side for the past three years and played a key role in the recent Pacific Cup victory over New Zealand. 

A State of Origin debut, however, has so far eluded her. It's an unusual situation Whitfeld is desperate to change next season.

"It's a massive goal of mine," Whitfeld told marvelbet365.com. "It hasn't happened in the last few years but I'm definitely putting my hand up for that jersey and doing everything I can to get it. 

"All I can do is put my best foot forward and do everything I can to be in the mix. The rest is out of my control, but at the end of the day knowing I've done what I can to put my best foot forward is all I can do."

Whitfeld was 18th player for the Blues twice in 2024 before she was overlooked entirely in John Strange's first year in charge. 

The coach instead opted for Roosters winger Jayme Fressard, with Jaime Chapman lining up on the opposite flank.

A new look schedule for the 2026 women's Origin series was unveiled last week, with the contest to open in Newcastle on April 30. 

Suncorp Stadium will host Game Two on the first day of the NRL's Magic Round weekend before a potential decider on the Gold Coast on May 28.

Whitfeld and the game's top female players are currently enjoying a well-earned break before extended Origin squads are selected in the new year. 

The outside back was disappointed to miss out this season but is hoping to impress Strange leading into the 2026 series.

"We've definitely had conversations about that," Whitfeld said. "It's something going into the next block that we can sit down and talk about. It's about him knowing what I can do and me knowing what I need to do to pull on that jersey. 

"Those conversations can be had and I'm sure he'll give me some comms, I'll have a good pre-season and we'll see how it goes."

While an Origin debut is her goal for the first half of 2026, a larger target looms in the distance.

Australia will host the Rugby League World Cup next October, with the Jillaroos determined to attract a new generation of fans throughout the tournament. 

Whitfeld's Test debut came in 2023, one year after the side won their third-straight World Cup. 

The Australians have asserted their status as World No.1 throughout the past two seasons and expectations will be high heading into the tournament. 

While there is still an Origin series and NRLW season to complete, Whitfeld is desperate to ensure she is part of the squad for the World Cup. 

"In our game the World Cup is the pinnacle," she said. "To be able to pull on the jersey for that tournament would be incredible. We've got another year to get through, that's definitely the goal. 

"With the group we have now, we're building into that steadily and setting the foundation for what we want to be and how we want to play going into next year. 

"It's been really important to have this year's Pacific Championships campaign to lay the foundation and it was great to take the win."