For three Jillaroos, next Sunday’s semi-final not only brings them up against four Sharks teammates but their Cronulla NRLW head coach Tony Herman as well.

Ellie Johnston, Quincy Dodd and Tiana Penitani Gray have good insight into why the Fijians – playing in their first World Cup – have been the surprise packets of the women’s tournament this year.

Two of the Bulikula’s best are back rower Talei Holmes and fullback Cassie Staples, who between them have played 15 Tests for Fiji, alongside their combined 75 games with the Sharks across the past four years.

Forwards Leilani Ahsam and Nanise Vakacavu have played the past two seasons for Cronulla’s NSW Women’s Premiership side, meaning they train each week with the Sharks NRLW squad.

“It’s not awkward at all it’s exciting. It makes me really proud that they’re playing as well as they are,” Penitani Gray told NRL.com as she rehabs a foot injury that kept her out of last weekend’s massive win against Wales to end the pool competition.

“I’ve always known Fiji would be a threat.

“At the start of the tournament I said I felt they would make the semi-finals – they were my smoky team – because I know how talented those (Sharks) girls are at club level.

“I know how much of a competitor Cassie is; how much of a competitor Talei is; as I train and play with them so much. They are the players that I want to play alongside.

“So I know what they’re going to bring with the Fiji jersey on their backs.”

And then there’s the input of Herman, who has joined as assistant coach this year alongside Jone Wesele.

“They’re also lucky having our coach Tony Herman as their assistant with Fiji. He’s done a great job with that team – Cassie and Talei have been smashing it,” Dodd said.

“But next week when they’re on the field, we’ll be aiming for them.

“Yes we’re friends off the field but on the field they are definitely enemies,” Dodd said.

“Once I step over the white line on the field, it’s game time. I’m just worried about us – the Jillaroos.

“We know them well and they’re great athletes and I’m proud of them but I’m with the Jillaroos.”

Penitani Gray says she’s noticed a few Sharks plays among some of the Fijian attacking raids and puts a lot of the Bulikula’s success down to Herman.

“He really simplifies things and tells you the ‘why’ behind what you’re doing,” she said.

“With some coaches you just get told not to do something, but Tony explains the reasoning behind it and that’s why so many of us love playing under him.

“He pushes players to greater heights and that’s why they succeed because he teaches them how to be a footballer.

“He puts together game plans that suit the style of the team he’s got. I don’t know all the ins and outs of what the Fijian staff are coaching there but I know ‘Hermo’ as a coach.

“He wants to bring the best out in you as an individual. He would tailor things beautifully for everyone as that’s how he coaches.”

Jillaroos head coach Jess Skinner intends making her players acutely aware of what Fiji brings.

“They’re going to be tough. They’ve had an outstanding campaign and what they did to the Kiwis put the rest of the competition on notice,” she said.

Fiji led 12-10 at half-time before losing their Round 1 match to the experienced New Zealanders, 18-12.

“So we’ll be doing our due diligence this week to make sure we’ve prepared best both sides of the ball for the Fijians,” Skinner said.

“They’re dangerous as they play expansive footy and quick footy. We’re really eager to play them to test ourselves.”