Australia’s Jillaroos have become the first team to book a place in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, running in 15 tries in a comprehensive 78-0 victory over England at HBF Park in Perth.
Jocelyn Kelleher scored a double and kicked nine goals to finish on 26 points, with 11 different players crossing the tryline as Australia secured a top-two finish in Pool A. The match had one sour note, with Julia Robinson suffering an arm injury midway through the first half.
The Jillaroos will play their semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, November 8, as part of a double-header with the Kangaroos. New Zealand then followed Australia’s result with a 92-0 triumph over France at a sold-out stadium in Christchurch, with fullback Apii Nicholls scoring four tries, while Samoa opened the second week with a 76-0 win over Wales and Fiji beat Papua New Guinea 40-4 in Port Moresby.
The scale of Australia’s win underlines why the Jillaroos remain the team to beat in the women’s tournament, and why their semi-final in Sydney is already shaping as one of the event’s headline fixtures.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.