Women’s Rugby League World Cup: Australia beats England 78–0
The defending champions scored 15 tries in Perth, leaving England to face Samoa next Friday in a match that will decide its qualification.
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The defending champions scored 15 tries in Perth, leaving England to face Samoa next Friday in a match that will decide its qualification.
Australia scored 15 tries to beat England 78–0 in Perth on 24 October in Group A of the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup. England coach Stuart Barrow said on 27 October that Eva Hunter will miss the qualification decider against Samoa, while captain Jodie Cunningham is available on the bench following treatment to her ear.
The reigning champions and tournament co-hosts had also beaten England 90–4 in Las Vegas in March 2025. Australia has lost only one international since 2016.
Hunter left the Australia match in the first half with an ankle injury. In comments carried by BBC Sport on 27 October, Barrow said she had undergone a scan and was still wearing a protective boot. England was awaiting the scan results, but he confirmed she would not play against Samoa on 30 October.
Hunter’s absence has prompted changes among England’s forwards. Hollie-Mae Dodd moves from prop, a front-row position, to the back row. Mary Coleman comes into the side at prop.
Cunningham received stitches to her ear in hospital immediately after the Australia match. Barrow said she had taped up the injury and continued playing before going straight to hospital. She is available for selection on the bench against Samoa.
England conceded an offside penalty one second after kick-off. Although England survived the initial attack, Australia countered after a kick from England’s try-line and Jaime Chapman scored. England then sent the restart straight out of play, and Chapman caught Jocelyn Kelleher’s high kick to score again after seven minutes.
Apii Nicholls scored four tries, while Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga each scored three, as New Zealand secured a second pool win ahead of its final group match.
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Tamika Upton broke two tackles before Kelleher’s first try. Australia led 36–0 at half-time, and Olivia Kernick later ran through three defenders to score. Kelleher contributed 26 points through two tries and nine successful conversion kicks. A try earns four points for grounding the ball in the opponents’ in-goal area; a conversion kick after a try adds two.
England had already lost Jasmin Strange to a serious knee injury in training on 20 October. Fran Goldthorp continued against Australia after a blow to her wrist. Australia’s Julia Robinson broke her wrist shortly after scoring when she was pinned by a team-mate.
England must beat Samoa in Wollongong on 30 October to finish second in Group A and reach the semi-finals. The final group match starts at 06:45 GMT.
Tyra Ekepati scores three tries on debut as Samoa surpass their 2008 scoring record with a 14-try win.
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BBC Sport reports that New Zealand overcame their first World Cup half-time deficit, with second-half penalties and a late score securing an opening Group B win.
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Correction ·
Corrected the wording of the English and Armenian versions.