Australia Beat England 78-0 at Rugby League World Cup

Australia beat England 78-0 in Perth in Group A of the Rugby League World Cup, a result that leaves England needing to beat Samoa next Friday to qualify.

The Jillaroos, co-hosts and reigning champions, led 36-0 at half-time. England had not been expected to win. Australia have lost one international since 2016.

The match began badly for England: they conceded a penalty one second after kick-off, because Lucy Murray was two yards offside. Australia scored through Jaime Chapman early, and Chapman added a second try after seven minutes, taking a high catch from a Jocelyn Kelleher kick. England thought they had scored in the corner, but Anna Davies' knee was in touch. Tamika Upton then broke two tackles before Kelleher crossed for a try.

Kelleher leads the scoring

Kelleher finished with two tries and nine goals, 26 points in all. The New South Wales stand-off was eligible to play for England through her parentage. Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Abbi Church, Tarryn Aitken, Olivia Kernick, Quincy Dodd, Makenzie Weale, Tiana Penitani Gray and Shaylee Bent also scored. Chapman, Kelly and Church each scored twice, and Kelly is Australia's captain.

Injuries and an earlier heavy loss

England lost second row Eva Hunter to an ankle injury in the first half. Jasmin Strange had already been ruled out after a serious knee injury in training on Tuesday and watched from the side of the pitch on crutches. Australia's Julia Robinson suffered a broken wrist shortly after her try. England's Fran Goldthorp carried on despite a nasty blow to her wrist.

The margin recalls a previous heavy defeat. In Las Vegas in March 2025, England trailed 38-0 at the break and lost 90-4. Only six players in this England squad were there.

Source: BBC Sport