Full Time
80:00
6:30am Thu November 3, 2022
Pool Matches - Week 1 - LNER Community Stadium, York - Crowd: 3091

Match Overview

Australia kicked off their campaign with a dominant 74-0 win over Cook Islands in York. 

Despite not having a warm up game, Australia didn't have any rust or wobbles as they were ruthless against Cook Islands. Sam Bremner led the way with four tries while Evania Pelite got a hat-trick alongside doubles from Tarryn Aiken and Julia Robinson in the huge win.

Australia were on from the kick-off, which rolled dead and offered them the first chance. Evania Pelite finished off a move on the left hand side after a few repeat sets. 

Next, it was some lovely slight of hand from Lauren Brown. She turned the ball inside for Newcastle Knights front rower Caitlin Johnston, who strolls over for the second four-pointer. 

Roosters star Isabelle Kelly injected herself into the game next. She brushed past the Cook Islands defende then passed it inside to Tarryn Aiken, who made it 16-0 for the Jillaroos. 

There was a ten minute period where Australia laid on four tries to confirm their 36-0 lead at the break. Sam Bremner followed up from a Simaima Taufa break to run away from the defence. 

The Jillaroos showed off how slick their attack was with a move started by Kezie Apps, it goes through the hands finding Kelly again, who pops the pass to Pelite before she went over the sideline for the four-pointer.

This time it was a spread to the right. Again, it was some quick hands which went to Shanae Ciesiolka who dummied the defender and rolled her way to the tryline in the one-sided first half. 

After finding the tryline herself, Sam Bremner on the comeback after her maternity leave, rolled a kick low, which saw Broncos winger Julia Robinson dive over to make it 36-0 for the Aussies. 

Cook Islands were given the best start to the second half with Australia letting the kick-off go dead. They had a few sets on the Australian line but a spilled grubber by Charlize Tumu-Makara ended their spell of possession. 

Australia kicked back into gear quickly. Once again, Kezie Apps was involved throwing the last pass for fullback Bremner who ran away and moved the Aussies past the 40-point mark. 

It was a spark from Dragons playmaker Taliah Fuimaono that got Australia their next two scores. She went herself first, scooted over from close range for her first try in Australian colours then a wonderful cut-out for Robinson to score her second. 

It was the Sam Bremner show for Australia! She followed up a Ali Brigginshaw line break to complete the hat-trick then made it four with a wonderful step past the Cook Islands defence for 64-0. 

Evania Pelite got herself a hat-trick and take Australia to 68-0. She finishes off the move from a wonderful ball from Tarryn Aiken to complete the feat and show off the Australians power. 

Aitken capped off the dominant performance from the Australian side with their fourteen try. She started the move with the pass then followed up to take the inside ball and roll to the tryline. 

3. Sam Bremner

2. Tarryn Aiken

1. Kezie Apps