Australia beat Samoa 40-0 as Kelleher shines on World Cup debut

Australia began their Women’s Rugby League World Cup title defence with a 40-0 victory over Samoa at Commbank Stadium in Sydney. According to the Guardian’s match report, debutant five-eighth Jocelyn Kelleher was named player of the match after converting six of Australia’s seven tries and contributing to two tries in open play.

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Kelleher started in a side shaped by connections from the Roosters’ NRLW premiership-winning team. Tarryn Aiken partnered her in the halves, with clubmates Olivia Kernick, Keely Nizza, Millie Elliott, Jess Sergis and captain Isabelle Kelly also involved. Coach Jess Skinner had left Ali Brigginshaw out of the squad and Jesse Southwell out of the matchday 18.

Samoa, making their first World Cup appearance since 2008, initially put Australia under pressure. A penalty and an Australian handling mistake gave them repeated opportunities near the tryline, and they twice chose not to kick penalty goals. Their attack ended with a dropped ball by fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati, allowing the defending champions to escape without conceding.

Australia then scored through Jaime Chapman after a pass from Tamika Upton created space on the left. Aiken supplied Julia Robinson for the next try on the opposite side. Kelleher’s high kick subsequently forced another Samoan error, leading to the possession from which Shaylee Bent scored. Nizza added a fourth try before Kelleher broke through and passed to Kernick for another before halftime.

Kernick turned provider early in the second half, sending Keilee Joseph over with a short pass. Samoa then repeatedly held Australia out as the scoring slowed. Laikha Clarke nearly secured a try for Samoa with about 10 minutes remaining but knocked on close to the line. Sergis scored late, completing a seven-try performance in which Australia kept their opponents scoreless throughout.

Kelly acknowledged afterwards that Australia’s performance had been untidy in places and said the new combination could improve as the tournament progressed. The Jillaroos next face England in Perth the following week. For Samoa, the return to World Cup competition ended in a heavy defeat despite their early attacking pressure and stronger defensive resistance after the interval.