The ARL Commission has launched an extraordinary investigation into the snubbing of 2024 NRLW Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick from the Australian Jillaroos Test women's side.

The omission of Kernick, who has been an automatic selection for either the Indigenous or Maori All Stars lineup in the annual fixture since debuting in 2021 and hasn't missed a single Origin match in the past three years, has surprised the commission and raised eyebrows with ARL chairman Peter V'landys enough to warrant an inquiry.

Jillaroos coach Brad Donald phoned the Sydney Roosters backrower personally during Mad Monday celebrations to inform Kernick that Gomeroi woman Mahalia Murphy has beaten her for one of the spots in the Pacific Championships opener against Papua New Guinea in Brisbane.

Dual Australian captain Kezie Apps has customarily held down the other spot in the second row of the Australian pack.

Donald picked his Australian team based on the preferred lineups from the inaugural three-game State of Origin series rather than on Kernick's club form for the 2024 NRLW premiers.

The Wiradjuri-Maori star scored two tries during the Roosters 32-28 NRLW grand final win over Cronulla, prompting shock in some quarters Kernick didn't claim the Karen Murphy Medal on Sunday as the best player on the field.

Kernick had earlier in the season been named in the No.15 jersey for the Blues that had suggested she played off the bench, only for the coach to not realise the player started in all three appearances to average 152 run metres and 25 tackles a game in the series, which was dominated by Queensland.

It raised questions over how closely Donald watched the State of Origin women's series not to notice Kernick on the ground at each of the three kickoffs in Brisbane, Newcastle and Townsville.

Donald also said he told Kernick her papers for national selection have not been stamped under his leadership and that the 23-year-old may be called into the side should there be an injury to the forwards.

"Liv is probably not too far off, she was on the bench for NSW this year and she will be in the next one in if something went down," Donald said at the media announcement.

"When you've got the captain in your position in Kezie Apps, it's quite difficult. Then the versatility (of) Mahalia as well."

Cronulla's talented Indigenous prop Caitlan Johnston was already ruled out for the Pacific championships following a season-ending injury.

The oversight of Kernick's selection has almost overshadowed star Titans centre Jaime Chapman's peculiar omission from the Jillaroos.

Chapman had been named NSW Blues' Origin player of the year, but Donald was concerned that the Gomeroi woman was still hampered by a hamstring injury this season at the Gold Coast Titans.

In a clear point of contradiction, Chapman was cleared to play for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea.

"Her form has been a little bit off because of those injuries, but another one that could step up if needed," he said.

Apps, who is on the comeback trial from injury, tried to diffuse controversial selection dramas and positional shocks – especially against one rival star that was expected to play alongside the forward's skipper.

"It speaks volumes of our competition and how far the NRLW has come," Apps said at the press conference over Kernick's omission.

"We've got all these talented females coming through. It's going to get even harder to make the Jillaroos.

"There's no doubt that if (Olivia) Kernick gets a call-up, she will be straight in and chomping at the bit."