Full Breakdown
Australia Destroys England 78-0 in Women’s Rugby League World Cup Group Match
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Core Event: Jillaroos’ 78-0 Victory in Perth
Australia’s women’s national team, the Jillaroos, overwhelmed England 78-0 in the Group A match in Perth. The hosts scored 15 tries and converted nine goals, establishing a 36-0 half-time lead that stretched to the final margin. England failed to register any points, with early errors—including an off-side kick-off and a second-half restart out on the full—setting the tone for a one-sided contest.
Background & Context
The result echoed a World Cup encounter in Las Vegas in March 2025, when England were beaten 90-4 by Australia. Both matches highlight a widening performance gap between the Southern-hemisphere Jillaroos and the Northern-hemisphere English side. England entered the Perth game having won only one of their prior four meetings with Australia and were expected to be “passive and error-prone,” according to the match report.
Data & Statistics
- Score: Australia 78, England 0.
- Tries: 15 (Chapman 2, Kelleher 2, Church 2, Kelly 2, Robinson, Aiken, Kernick, Dodd, Weale, Penitani Gray, Bent).
- Goals: 9, all kicked by Jocelyn Kelleher.
- Line breaks: 13 for Australia, none for England.
- Possession: Roughly twice England’s, with three times the running metres.
- Injuries: Julia Robinson left with a suspected broken wrist; Eva Hunter exited with an ankle injury.
On-the-Ground Report
Australia opened scoring within seconds after England’s off-side kick-off, with fullback Tamika Upton breaking through and winger Jaime Chapman grounding the ball. A second early try followed when Kelleher’s kick was collected by Chapman. England’s debutant halfback Jenna Foubister then kicked the restart out on the full, prompting another Australian surge that produced a third try for Kelleher.
Mid-first half saw Robinson cross before her wrist injury forced her off. The Jillaroos continued to dominate, with Tarryn Aiken’s decoy run and a chip-kick from Kelleher leading to further tries by Abbi Church and Isabelle Kelly, the captain. Substitute Sariah Paki, a two-time Olympic rugby-sevens player, entered after Robinson’s injury and added to the attack. By half-time the scoreboard read 36-0, and Australia added nine more tries in the second half, including a debut try from Makenzie Weale.
Impact on the Tournament
The lopsided victory solidifies Australia as the tournament favourite and positions them for a win against Wales in Sydney the following Sunday, with a potential clash against Fiji thereafter. England’s loss leaves their World Cup hopes dependent on a must-win against Samoa in the final pool match on Friday; a victory is required to stay in contention for the semi-finals.
What’s Next
- Australia: Face Wales in Sydney next Sunday; a subsequent match against Fiji is anticipated.
- England: Must defeat Samoa in their third group game on Friday to keep semi-final hopes alive.