Australia overpower Samoa 40-0 in Women’s Rugby League World Cup opener

Australia defeated Samoa 40-0 at Commbank Stadium in Sydney in the opening match of the Jillaroos’ defence of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup on October 16, 2026, easing off in the second half with only two tries after the break.

Jocelyn Kelleher made her international debut at five-eighth, was named player of the match and kicked six from seven conversion attempts; she said the debut was “amazing” and the team is “having so much fun in camp, we’re training well together”. Coach Jess Skinner omitted Ali Brigginshaw from the squad and left Jesse Southwell out of the matchday 18, a selection decision vindicated by Kelleher’s performance. Several players with Roosters’ NRLW premiership ties featured across the side, including No 7 Tarryn Aiken at second receiver, Olivia Kernick at lock, Keely Nizza on the bench at hooker, Millie Elliott in the front row and centres Jess Sergis and captain Isabelle Kelly.

Samoa were playing their first World Cup match since 2008 and included two former Jillaroos, Taliah Fuimaono and Evania Isa’ako; Isa’ako had run out for the Jillaroos in the 2022 World Cup final and scored the final try in that match. Their squad also contained Queensland State of Origin centre Ivana Lolesio and premiership-winning prop Amber Hall, who had scored in the Roosters’ victory over the Broncos two weeks earlier. Australia contained a spirited opening from Samoa and absorbed early pressure before breaking the contest open. The Samoans twice declined to take two points from subsequent penalties during their early possession.

Samoa’s early handling error and a penalty gave them repeat sets on the Australian line, but a dropped ball by fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati relieved the pressure and opened the way for Australia to score. Jaime Chapman crossed after a simple spread left, finishing from a cut-out pass by Tamika Upton. Shortly afterwards Tarryn Aiken created space for Julia Robinson, who came inside and carried three tacklers over the line.

Kelleher converted from the sideline early in her international career, then produced a bomb that induced a handling error and set up Shaylee Bent to score. Keely Nizza used a dummy and fend to break through for a try, and just before half-time Kelleher broke through the Samoan line to find Olivia Kernick for another score. Those sequences established a sizeable half-time lead for Australia.

Early in the second period Kernick provided a short-ball that sent Keilee Joseph over, but Australia’s momentum slowed thereafter and their attack was less frequent. The Samoans mounted a resolute defensive display in the second half, repelling multiple Australian attempts and forcing errors; prop Laikha Clarke came within millimetres of scoring with ten minutes remaining before knocking on. A notable moment came when teenage winger Freedom Crichton Ropati produced a crunching tackle on Tiana Penitani Gray, and Jess Sergis crossed late to add to the margin.

The men’s Samoa side defeated France 78-4 on the same evening, but the size of the crowd at Commbank Stadium was a disappointment; the passionate Samoan community in western Sydney was audible, yet tens of thousands of empty seats remained and that turnout highlighted that the interest in this tournament – like the Jillaroos’ form – has room for improvement.

Australia’s next confirmed fixture is the Jillaroos’ next pool match against England in Perth next week.