Australia 40-0 Samoa: women’s Rugby League World Cup – live reaction
Australia has kicked off and we’re underway!
A number of the Samoan players are tearing up during the anthem – what a special moment for them to be able to represent their country on the world stage.
The players have completed their final warm ups in the change rooms and are now entering the field, ready for the pre-match ceremony.
I was reading earlier about Jess Sergis playing in a ‘milestone match’ today and discovered that milestone was… 15 Tests for the Jillaroos. It really shows how little international rugby league there is – especially for women – that this is considered a milestone.
I don’t know about you, but I’m very excited to see Jocelyn Kelleher’s debut for the Jillaroos tonight. Her kicking game in the NRLW grand final was sensational and she really put Brisbane on the back foot with the pinpoint accurate bombs she was putting up. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does tonight.
And if you want to catch up on the action from last night’s opening game on the men’s side of the draw, have a read of Angus Fontaine’s match report.
If you’re coming into this game pretty fresh, here’s something I prepared earlier on the women’s tournament and the rapidly closing gap between nations.
1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 3. Monica Tagoai 4. Sarina Masaga 5. Freedom Crichton Ropati 6. Tailah Fuimaono 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 8. Annette Nuuausala 9. Mary-Jane Taito 10. Laikha Clarke 11. Evania Isa’ako 12. Ivana Lolesio 13. Leilani Wilson Interchange: 14. Evelyn Roberts 15. Fanua Rimoni 16. Amber Hall 17. Jasmine Fogavini
1. Tamika Upton 2. Jaime Chapman 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly (c) 5. Julia Robinson 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Simaima Taufa 11. Kezie Apps 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Olivia Kernick Interchange: 14. Keeley Nizza 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Tiana Penitani-Gray 17. Ellie Johnston
Hello and welcome to the opening game for the women’s competition at the Rugby League World Cup. The men set the stage last night, with an epic opener and now its time for the women to show the world what they can do.
While the Jillaroos are heavy favourite for this game, don’t underestimate Fetu Samoa. With eight members of the Gold Coast Titans NRLW team in their squad, they will have some strong connections and plenty of passion.
The Jillaroos are looking to back up their 2022 World Cup win by taking out the trophy on home soil, and while they are confident they have the team to do it, they are wary of the rapid improvement of other nations.
“We are here with the mindset that we are going up against tough teams, everyone has been in an NRLW system,” said coach Jess Skinner, speaking to nrl.com.
“It’s going to be a lot tougher for us this year, but we are up for the challenge. I am really excited to see what Samoa does in this World Cup - what they did to the Kiwis in the last Pac Champs was very exciting.
“We know from experience that Samoa brings a massive crowd, and a sea of blue. It might not feel like a home game at times but we want to make sure there is green and yellow amongst them too.”
It’s sure to be a fascinating battle at CommBank Stadium in Sydney tonight, so let’s get into it!
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