The Jillaroos’ World Cup defence began with a comprehensive 40-0 victory over Samoa at Commbank Stadium in Sydney, even if they eased off in the second half with just two tries after the break. Jocelyn Kelleher was assured by boot and hand on her debut at five-eighth, vindicating the decision by coach Jess Skinner to leave Ali Brigginshaw out of the squad and Jesse Southwell out of the matchday 18. Kelleher kicked six from seven conversion attempts, and had a hand in two tries, earning her the player of the match award.
She said her debut was “amazing” and the team is “having so much fun in camp, we’re training well together”. Kelleher’s comfort was aided by the Roosters’ NRLW premiership-winning connections running throughout the team. No 7 Tarryn Aiken played second receiver outside Kelleher, and the halves were supported by their clubmates Olivia Kernick at lock and Keely Nizza at bench hooker, as well as Millie Elliott in the front row and both centres in Jess Sergis and captain Isabelle Kelly.
The captain said after the match her side has plenty of improvement in them. Their side included two players – Taliah Fuimaono and Evania Isa’ako – who had played for the Jillaroos. The latter even ran out for the Jillaroos in the 2022 World Cup final, scoring the final try.
The team also featured Queensland State of Origin centre, Ivana Lolesio, and premiership-winning prop Amber Hall, who scored in the Roosters’ victory over the Broncos two weeks ago. For a brief early moment, it looked like the contest could deliver an upset. A penalty and a handling error handed the Fetu Samoa repeat sets at the Australian line.
They even resisted the urge to take the two points from a pair of subsequent penalties. But a dropped ball from fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati let the Jillaroos off the hook. The Samoans would be left to rue that mistake.
Within minutes Australia had crossed through Jaime Chapman off a simple spread left. A cut-out pass from Tamika Upton handed the winger enough space to finish easily. Minutes later it was Aiken on the right lofting it out to Julia Robinson to score.
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