Women's RLWC Preview - Week 1

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Josh runs the rule over the first batch of games in the Women's RLWC.

Check out teamlists and match information here.

England v Brazil

There have been many a battle between England and Brazil in World Cup action across a long period in history. But a new chapter of the rivalry will be formed when instead of the round ball, the Steeden is the object both sides will focus in as Brazil make history against England.

The English will be highly confident that they go in as heavy favourites against a Brazilian side who like the centre of the Amazon rainforest are a mystery to just about everyone as they are only playing their third ever international match. The Amazonas have only ever played two matches on their way to the World Cup with a four-year gap between games 1 & 2. 

Defeating Argentina 48-0 back in 2018, the path for Brazil was looking strong but with COVID and other issues, the ability for the Amazonas to play more internationals was blocked despite having qualification for the World Cup. A close contest in their warm-up against France shows that Brazil might not be the easy beats everyone expects them to be with a side packed with talent.

The hosts bring a wealth of experience into the tournament, so much that 18 of the 24 players have personally played more international matches, than the entire nation of Brazil. The English will be hoping for a big improvement on their 2017 world cup where they failed to win a match including a loss against the Cook Islands, a game England were expected to win heavily.

A strong side right across the park will allow the English to flourish at the tournament in home conditions and look to upset the big two in Australia and New Zealand come finals time.

TIP: Very hard to go past England in a big win, of course there is always going to be an unknown factor of Brazil and the level of their players but not knowing is the hard (but fun) part of these previews. England have it all and should be able to handle Brazil easily although they could be world beaters. England by 40

PNG v Canada

Two sides with World Cup experience meet up in the second of Group A's matches as Papua New Guinea take on Canada.

Papua New Guinea have had a rocky international road so far in their short existence having only managed one international victory since playing their first international back in 2017. The Orchids struggled with five successive losses including to Canada at the previous World Cup but did manage to stun everyone in 2019 with a 20-16 victory over England in their last full international.

The Orchids have plenty of experience with the likes of Dragons NRLW star Elsie Albert and former NRLW player Therese Aiton leading the side around. The Orchids come into the contest off a big warmup win against York but the COVID pandemic has just stunted the growth of the side in the past few years.

Having also begun their international standing in 2017, Canada have already shown strong growth in the sport in recent years having debuted at the previous world Cup. Picking up a victory against PNG gave Canada a massive boost despite it being sandwiched between big losses to Australia and New Zealand.

The Ravens have also been left with a lack of consistent international rugby league through COVID but a two match tour of Serbia in September 2019 saw them net back to back wins before not being able to play again until April 2022. The Canadians took victory against the USA but in their warm-up match they fell short against Ireland losing 8-6.

The Canadians do have a boost with veteran Kiwi Laura Mariu set to play for the Ravens bringing 25 games of international experience with New Zealand.

TIP: Both sides have been hurt by a lack of consistent Rugby League at international level over the past 2 years and this is a game that could go either way, Canada were semi-finalists in 2017 but PNG have had some consistent rugby league domestically and with a player like Elsie Albert in the side, the Orchids should be able to hold on by 4.

New Zealand v France

Pool B opens up with a clash of experience against rookies as the Kiwi Ferns look to win their first World Cup since 2008 when they begin their campaign against the French in York.

The Kiwi Ferns have always been a strong nation dominating the early contests in Women's Rugby League having only lost two matches between their first match in 1995 and 2009 early as their key opponents the Aussies started finding form. The Kiwi Ferns will be looking to build on strong form in recent times including their big win over Tonga mid-year as well as the form of some of their key starts including Dally M winner Raecene McGregor.

Relatively consistent Rugby League will be a big boost for the Kiwi Ferns as they look to kick start their campaign in which it will be important to finish first to likely avoid a semi-final clash against England.

Making their first World Cup appearance since 2013, France will be looking to show that there is plenty of growth in their side which has struggled since their international debut having only won four international matches over the past 15 years. The French will also be confident of a good show having been able to beat Brazil in the lead up to the tournament.

The French side could be one that is highly underestimated given that there is plenty of experience in their line up that could upstage a side that isn't ready for the contest.

TIP: The Kiwi Ferns should win this game easily, although nothing is a guarantee, there is more than enough in the New Zealand side to win this quite easily. NZ by 50.

Australia v Cook Islands

The second game of Pool B will see tournament favourites Australia open up their campaign to defend their titles when they take on the Cook Islands who are looking to pull off another big upset.

The Jillaroos are set to play their first international match since October 2019 although the lack of international action will be offset by the fact that every member of the squad has been playing across the NRLW this season.

The Jillaroos are also going to be looking to keep their 6 year winning streak alive having last lost a match in May 2016.

The Aussies will have one of their strongest squads despite their lack of action in recent times and the competitiveness for places will make them the hardest side to beat at the tournament.

The Cook Islands have had an interrupted history for their side having only played international Rugby League at the 2003 World Cup and then again at the 2017 World Cup which has meant that the Pacific Island territory hasn't been able to establish themselves consistently in the international arena.

Though there has been a lack of consistent action, the Cook Islands are a nation that can pull off a big upset having done so in 2017 when they were able to get past England at the last World Cup. The Cook Islanders are capable of an upset and although it might not necessarily be likely here, they won't be easybeats.

TIP: The Jillaroos should win this one comfortably but it might not necessarily be all one-way traffic for Australia but they should still be able to find this easier than other contests in this tournament. Australia by 40.