Australia set the tone in the opening second of their World Cup clash with England by forcing a penalty against Lucy Murray for offside, a sign of the dominance to come. The Jillaroos maintained relentless pressure throughout the match and routed England 78-0 in Perth, extending their unbeaten run since 2016 and repeating a pattern of one-sided results against their Group A rivals.
Australia led 36-0 at halftime and did not ease up, adding another 42 points in the second half. Jocelyn Kelleher was the standout performer, scoring two tries and landing nine goals to accumulate 26 points. She combined precise kicking with sharp passing to open holes in England’s defence and set up her teammates for multiple tries.
England’s day started poorly and never recovered. After conceding a penalty in the first second, they struggled with basic execution, repeatedly fumbling kick-offs and allowing Australia to attack quickly. Jaime Chapman took advantage of one early kick chase to score the opening try, and Chapman doubled her tally before Kelleher added her first try just minutes in.
Australia’s backs continued to exploit England’s weaknesses. Julia Robinson added a try before suffering a broken wrist after a collision with a teammate. Kelleher’s kicking was a feature throughout, including a swerving goal-kick and a deft chip kick that led to Abbi Church’s score. Isabelle Kelly and Tarryn Aitken also crossed the line as the hosts showed no signs of easing up.
The second half saw Olivia Kernick break through three defenders for a try, then Quincy Dodd scored under the posts. Church grabbed her second try after a slick pass from Kelleher, while Makenzie Weale, Tiana Penitani Gray, and captain Isabelle Kelly all reached the tryline. Shaylee Bent finished the scoring with a try that saw multiple England defenders shrugged off.
England’s response was hampered by injuries and a lack of intensity. Eva Hunter left the field in the first half with an ankle injury, adding to the absence of Jasmin Strange, who suffered a serious knee injury earlier in the week. Fran Goldthorp was England’s best player, continuing despite a wrist injury sustained during the match. The English team’s body language and tackling were described as passive and error-prone, with questionable commitment in key moments.
This result follows a similar one earlier this year in Las Vegas, where Australia beat England 90-4 after a 38-0 halftime lead. The gap between the teams remains wide despite England’s hopes for improvement. England will now face Samoa next Friday in a must-win match to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Jocelyn Kelleher’s performance drew attention beyond the scoreline. Eligible for England through parentage, Kelleher chose to represent Australia and delivered a relentless display. Her kicking game included both long-range precision and tactical chip kicks, making her a constant threat. Her timing and vision helped Australia break down England’s defensive lines repeatedly.
The match confirmed Australia’s status as one of the tournament favourites and highlighted the challenges England face in closing the gap. The Jillaroos’ dominance in Perth was clear from the first whistle and extended through every phase of play.
According to Yahoo Sports.
