The short version
- Australia defeated England by a wide margin in their Group A match, continuing a long streak of international dominance.
- England struggled with early errors and passive play, conceding multiple tries while failing to establish any meaningful offensive pressure.
- Injury concerns mount for England as key players exit the field or miss time, raising questions about squad depth ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.
The gap between Australia and England in women’s rugby league remains stark, a reality underscored by another decisive victory for the Jillaroos. In their Group A encounter at the World Cup, Australia delivered a performance that left little doubt about their status as reigning champions and co-hosts. The match served not merely as a contest but as a demonstration of superior skill, discipline, and physicality from the Australian side, while exposing ongoing vulnerabilities in the English setup.
The tone was set almost immediately. Just one second into the game, England conceded a penalty after Lucy Murray stepped offside from the kick-off. This early lapse signaled a pattern of errors that would define the first half. Rather than stabilizing their defense, England appeared passive and error-prone throughout the opening exchanges. Their tackling was limp, and body language suggested a lack of resilience against the relentless pressure applied by the hosts.
Australia capitalized on these mistakes with clinical efficiency. Jaime Chapman scored twice in the early stages, taking advantage of muffed kicks from England’s try-line. Jocelyn Kelleher, who is eligible to play for England but chose Australia, was instrumental in orchestrating the attack. She posted 26 points, including two tries and nine goals, showcasing her versatility and impact on the game. Her ability to exploit defensive gaps allowed Australia to build a commanding lead before halftime.
By the interval, Australia led 36-0, mirroring the scoreline from their previous encounter in Las Vegas in March 2025, where England trailed 38-0 at half-time before losing 90-4. The consistency of these results indicates that little has changed in terms of quality or competitive balance between the two nations. Despite talk of lessons learned and improvements made since the last meeting, England’s performance in Perth suggested that fundamental issues remain unaddressed.
The second half saw Australia continue to dominate, with tries from Tamika Upton, Isabelle Kelly, Abbi Church, Tarryn Aitken, Olivia Kernick, Quincy Dodd, Makenzie Weale, Tiana Penitani Gray, and Shaylee Bent. The final score of 78-0 reflected the comprehensive nature of Australia’s victory. Kelleher added another try and converted several goals, including a swerving goal-kick that highlighted her technical prowess. The Jillaroos were in full showboat mode, executing complex plays with ease.
For England, the match was characterized by damage limitation rather than competitive engagement. Only six players from this squad featured in the Las Vegas defeat, yet the quality disparity remained evident. Key moments, such as Anna Davies’ knee going into touch during a potential try-scoring opportunity, underscored the lack of precision and composure under pressure. Amelia Brown’s decision to turn her back on play after conceding a try further illustrated the psychological toll of the match.
Injury concerns added to England’s woes. Second row Eva Hunter exited with an ankle injury in the first half, compounding the loss of Jasmin Strange, who suffered a serious knee injury in training and was present at the venue on crutches. Fran Goldthorp, arguably England’s best player on the night, continued despite sustaining a nasty blow to her wrist. These setbacks raise significant questions about squad depth and fitness ahead of critical upcoming matches.
Looking forward, England’s qualification hopes hinge on their next fixture against Samoa. A win is essential if they are to remain in contention for progression from Group A. The team must demonstrate marked improvement in defensive organization, ball security, and mental toughness. Failure to address the issues exposed in this match could result in an early exit from the tournament, reinforcing the dominance of Australia and other top-tier nations.
The contrast between the two teams was stark. Australia’s cohesion, speed, and tactical awareness were on full display, while England struggled to find any rhythm or resistance. The Jillaroos have lost only one international match since 2016, a statistic that underscores their sustained excellence. For England, the path forward requires not just tactical adjustments but also a cultural shift in how they approach high-pressure situations.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will shift to whether England can bounce back from this humiliation. The upcoming match against Samoa will be a true test of their resolve and ability to adapt. Without significant changes in performance and mindset, the gap between England and the world’s best teams may continue to widen, leaving them behind in the race for glory.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC News↗Poor England suffer another Australia humiliation
