‘You will look like an idiot’: The family rule keeping Jillaroos star grounded amid rapid rise

Australian Jillaroos star Jesse Southwell has already achieved more than most players could dream of at 21, but the star insists she isn't feeling the pressure to keep delivering.

Establishing herself as one of the best talents in the women's game, Southwell has enjoyed a remarkable rise, earning some of the highest honours and receiving multiple opportunities at representative level for the NSW Blues and Jillaroos.

But rather than getting caught up in the expectations that come with her growing reputation, she credits her family, particularly her older sister Hannah, with helping her stay grounded and keep improving.

"I don't really feel it, to be honest. In my family, you've got to be humble or you will look like an idiot in my family," Southwell said ahead of Australia's clash against Wales.

"Coming from watching Hannah do things at a very young age, you just kind of watch what she does and how she carried herself.

"I just tried to learn from her and there are so many young talented girls coming through now.

"You've got to continue to learn and try to get better because, at the end of the day, if you're not, then you're going to stay where you are and you don't want to do that."

Despite the success, she is determined to treat every opportunity as another chance to develop and insists she is far from the finished product she wants to become.

"You kind of take it in your stride," Southwell added.

"It's all part of footy and our game is very young and I've been very blessed with the opportunities that I've been given from coaches and teammates and the things I've learned.

"I'm kind of just trying to continue to learn and continue to get better because at the end of the day that's what I love doing.

"I love learning and there are so many more things that I can learn and there are so many more things I need to get better at."

The hunger to keep learning has also been evident since her move from Newcastle to the Brisbane Broncos, where she has relished the opportunity to spend time around NRLW pioneer Ali Brigginshaw.

"I've been learning every day since I moved to Brisbane, so I think it's really cool," she continued.

"It's been a really cool experience seeing everyone in Brissy get around Ali and it'll be something that I probably won't realise how special it was to be a part of until later in my career.

"It's been really cool to be a part of and I've loved getting to know Ali and hopefully she'll stick around the club because I love hearing her yap."

Representing Australia in three matches during last year's Pacific Championships series, Sunday will mark her first World Cup appearance.

"It's definitely a pinch-me moment," she said.

"I've played Sevens before and I love playing in that jersey, so to wear it again here in rugby league is amazing.

"You take it in your stride. Our game is very young, and I've been very blessed with the opportunities I've been given from the coaches and teammates and the things that I've learned.

"I'm just trying to continue to get better, because at the end of the day that's what I love doing.

"To get to play in the World Cup is an honour. I'm hopefully going to take this opportunity with both hands, and I'm just looking forward to having some fun and enjoying my footy."