Australia have qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup, but will be wary of Canada, who have already pulled off one upset. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the Jillaroos’ final group game from 4pm (AEDT).
The Australians have had two commanding wins and are well on the way to setting up the expected final with New Zealand, who are topping Group B.
After posting a 58-4 win over the Cook Islands on the first day of the tournament, they romped to victory in somewhat surprising circumstances against England.
The English were supposed to put up a much greater fight, after beating Papua New Guinea in their opening match, but Australia again held their line, running out 38-0 winners.
Not conceding a point sums up Australia’s tournament so far, the Jillaroos having not let their guard down for a moment.
Their attack, led by halves Maddie Studdon and Ali Brigginshaw, has also been dangerous, their decision-making having been almost perfect across the 160 minutes of play so far.
Canada faced a tough opening to the tournament, going down as expected to New Zealand 50-4. This being the crossover game though, leaves them with plenty of incentive after they pulled off a shock upset over Papua New Guinea last time out.
Because it’s their turn for the crossover match, for the Ravens to miss the semi-finals, they will need to not only lose to the Jillaroos (which is likely) but also have the Orchids beat New Zealand (which isn’t likely).
So, with the Ravens essentially having qualified – barring a miracle – they can chance their hand in this game. Halves Stevi Schnoor and Michelle Helmeczi combining with Irene Patrinos is their best chance to put points on the Australians, but even then, the forward pack probably aren’t going to be able to match the Jillaroos, led by Ruan Sims.
Prediction
Australia should record a reasonably easy victory, but don’t expect this to be as ugly as their opening match of the tournament.
Australia by 24.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage from 4pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon on The Roar for our live coverage of the Women's Rugby League World Cup as Australia beat Canada in a canter. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. We will have coverage of the Jillaroos semi-final on Sunday, as well as both men's semi-finals, starting with Australia and Fiji from 8pm (AEDT) on Friday. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
If Australia had of kicked all their goals, it would have been 108-0. They missed 10. Summary of scorers. Vanessa Foliaki (3) Zahara Temara (3) Corban McGregor (2) Chelsea Baker (2) Maddie Studdon (1) Ruan Sims (1) Elianna Walton (3) Karina Brown (3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That's just unbelievable. I'm not sure I've ever seen a game of rugby league like that. Canada's defence was woeful and Australia racked up 18 tries on the way to a record victory. Australia had about 75% possession for the game. The scary part? If Papua New Guinea lose to New Zealand as expected tonight, Australia will play Canada in the semi-final on Sunday. Wow. Australia 88 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by CHELSEA BAKER Australia 88 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - TRY AUSTRALIA, KARINA BROWN Oh dear. This is almost funny. The Australians are laughing anyway. Can someone ring the siren? O'Mealey brought it back from the kick-off, then Brown went from dummy half, dummied through the line and put the foot down. She went straight around Patronis at the back and charged away to score. Australia 88 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by MADDIE STUDDON Australia 84 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - TRY AUSTRALIA, ELIANNA WALTON Temara and Taufa have Australia quickly back inside 20 on the first two plays, then it's Studdon to Temara and Baker tackled on the sideline. Back to the middle and they spread to McGregor who steps in and around, but is tackled. Studdon at the line, opening a gap and Walton will collect the pass, going straight through it to complete the hat-trick for herself. This is unbelievable. Australia 82 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - Naglis brings it away from the scrum for Canada before Reynolds is dragged backwards by the defence. Keller sent to ground on the next, Canada finally battling out of their red zone through Haupapa. Now a line break from Naglis, but her pass goes to ground and the Jillaroos come up with it. Australia 78 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - O'Mealey fields the kick-off and it's Taufa to bring it back. Kunst and Ruan Sims go through the middle, then Ballinger threatens to offload on halfway. Right they go to Studdon who kicks early over the top, the ball bouncing on a right angle over the sideline in the corner of the park. Australia 78 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by MADDIE STUDDON Australia 78 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - TRY AUSTRALIA, KARINA BROWN Australia start this set five metres short of halfway. Taufa has the first run, then they go back through the middle and have a look at that. Wonderful inside ball for McGregor, but she is tackled this time. Now they come right and Ballinger is tackled on the third ten out, before O'Mealey goes left to Brander who is tackled this time. Some ordinary passing here and Taufa is tackled, before on the last they go short side and Breayley passes to Brown with a short ball. She goes straight through and runs around to score Australia's 16th try of the match. Australia 78 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - Shorter kick-off this time and it's Taufa who brings it back from the restart. Ball stripped away and it's another penalty for Australia. Australia 74 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by MADDIE STUDDON Australia 74 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
68' - TRY AUSTRALIA, CHELSEA BAKER Young brings it back from the kick-off, then it's Walton with a run. Now they go down the right and this time it's Baker. This is ridiculous. She burns the line on the right, puts the hammer down and outruns everyone to the try line. Australia should beat the clock here. Take note, they have missed eight conversions already. Baker with a hat-trick. Australia 72 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by CHELSEA BAKER Australia 68 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
65' - TRY AUSTRALIA, KARINA BROWN Taufa starts this set, bringing it up to halfway for the Jillaroos before they spread left and Sims is tackled. Young to O'Mealey now and she is through a yawning gap in the line, going straight through. She puts the foot down, links with Brown and she scores untouched in the corner. That's all a little bit too easy. It has been all game of course. Australia 68 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
64' - Penalty for Australia bringing it back from the kick-off. Australia 64 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by MADDIE STUDDON Australia 64 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
62' - TRY AUSTRALIA, VANESSA FOLIAKI Australia start this set 40 metres out and immediately head into the middle third of the park for Kezzie Apps to take a run. Now it's a spread right from O'Mealey to Studdon and Foliaki is tackled. Ballinger almost through the line back to the middle before Breayley tries to get in on the act, but is stopped a metre out. Back to the right and Studdon puts a lovely grubber in behind, Foliaki winning the race for the ball and crashing over for yet another try to the Jillaroos. Australia 64 Canada 0