Australia (36) 78
Tries: Chapman 2, Kelleher 2, Church 2, Kelly 2, Robinson, Aiken, Kernick, Dodd, Weale, Penitani Gray, Bent Goals: Kelleher 9
England (0) 0
After talk of lessons learned and improvements made, reality struck fast for England. They conceded a penalty just one second into their match against Australia – as Lucy Murray was two yards offside from kick-off.
It set the tone for another humiliating defeat, one which shows the gap to the Jillaroos has not shrunk since the thrashing in Las Vegas in March 2025.
On that occasion, England were 38-0 down at the break before losing 90-4. In Perth, Australia led 36-0 at the interval before winning 78-0.
England were not expected to beat World Cup co-hosts and reigning champions Australia in Group A. The Jillaroos have lost one international since 2016.
It is quite another thing for England to be as passive and error-prone as they were in this game, limp in the tackle and with questionable body language. Only six of this England squad were in Las Vegas, but quality-wise little has changed.
After ceding advantage from the kick-off, England saw off the initial danger but were caught out chasing the kick from their try-line. Australia countered and Jaime Chapman scored.
England muffed the kick off for the second time in succession, straight out of play. Australia immediately attacked; after seven minutes, Chapman got up to take a high catch from Jocelyn Kelleher’s kick and score.
After a brief flash where England thought they scored in the corner but Anna Davies’ knee was in touch, they cheaply give the ball away and Tamika Upton broke two tackles before Kelleher crossed.
As Kelleher came round over the try-line to improve the position for the kick, wing Amelia Brown turned her back to play. It gave the impression England had already given up.
It was damage limitation for England, while the hosts could show off. After a score from Julia Robinson – who suffered a broken wrist shortly afterwards when being pinned by a team mate – Kelleher sliced in a swerving goal-kick of which Roberto Carlos would be proud.
Kelleher added her second try, and from the resulting kick off they attacked again, ending in Isabelle Kelly running over Fran Goldthorp.
Abbi Church crossed in the corner for 36-0. Soon after the restart, Australia went from one end to the other for Tarryn Aitken to bring up 40.
Olivia Kernick ran through three players in the non-existent defence to score, before Quincy Dodd forced over the 10th try under the posts.
Australia were in full showboat mode. Kelleher chip-kicked for herself before pinging an over-shoulder pass that led to Church’s second try. The 12th try came as desperate England defence was not enough to stop Makenzie Weale.
The 13th came from Tiana Penitani Gray after a Brown knock-on, before Australia captain Kelly scored her second.
Shaylee Bent concluded the thumping, ending a move where multiple England tackles were shrugged off without blinking.
There was added pain for England as second row Eva Hunter exited with an ankle injury in the first half.
It adds to the loss of Jasmin Strange, who picked up a serious knee injury in training on Tuesday and was pitchside on crutches.
Goldthorp, England’s best player on the night, carried on despite a nasty blow to her wrist.
As expected, England’s qualification will come down to a decider against Samoa next Friday – where they must be better.
