PREVIEW: Australia v England Women's International

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Australia v England Saturday 6:15pm at Allegiant Stadium, Paradise / Las Vegas NV

Meeting for the first time since 2017, history is set to be made as the Australian Jillaroos are set to take on the English Lionesses as Women's Rugby League heads to Vegas for the first time as part of the Rugby League spectacular. 

The two sides surprisingly don't have a big history of contests which makes this contest even more historic and vital as in the few contests there have been, Australia holds a strong record winning all three contests between Australia and England.

A rocky off-season has seen change at the top of the Australian women's side with the clash in Vegas set to be the first under the control of Jess Skinner after former coach Brad Donald resigned following intense pressure which included the non-selection of Dally M winner Olivia Kernick for the Pacific Championship squad and then reported off-field incidents. The lead-up was also difficult for the Jillaroos with a training camp on the Gold Coast cancelled suddenly with the coaching dramas.

Coming into the contest, the Jillaroos have been in good form winning all three of their Pacific Championship games at the end of last year with an 84-0 win over Papua New Guinea before 14-0 and 24-4 wins over New Zealand in Christchurch and Parramatta respectively. The timing of the game will be interesting regarding the form of the Jillaroos

The big change for the Jillaroos team is that Olivia Kernick has come straight into the second row following her controversial and shock omission from the Jillaroos squad for the Pacific Championships.

The clash against the Jillaroos is set to be the biggest test for England since their clash with New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup which was also the last time that the Lionesses had actually conceded any points. The Lionesses have had a solid period of Rugby League and the experience of players having played in the NRLW is set to boost their game.

England have had four matches since their defeat to New Zealand at the 2022 World Cup coming up against both France and Wales twice in those four matches. The England side have scored 248 points across those four matches and not conceding a point though the difference between the English and their European rivals is quite a big depth in class.

Last meeting: 2017 RLWC - Australia 38 England 0, Southern Cross Group Stadium

Who to watch: For the Aussies it has to be the returning Olivia Kernick. The 2024 Dally M Player of the Year was a shock omission for reasons that nobody could understand during the Pacific Championships and her inclusion to the side is much deserved. The Impact Kernick can have both as a powerful second rower and a skilled ball player can hurt England.

One of the players with NRLW experience for the Lionesses, Georgia Roche who has been a part of the successful Knights program over the past two seasons. The game will be controlled in the halves and Georgia Roache will have the cool hand as she has shown with the Knights to lead her side.

The favourite: Australia are strongly backed for victory in this test.

My tip: It's hard to go past the Jillaroos here, the contest will be tough no doubt but there is still a strong gap in quality between Australia and England going forward and even though England are in strong form, the level of opponents isn't quite as strong as Australia. The Jillaroos will know they've had a contest but should still come away with a comfortable win. Australia by 20.

1. Tamika Upton 2. Jakiya Whitfeld 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani 5. Julia Robinson 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Shannon Mato 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Kezie Apps 11. Yasmin Clydsdale 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Quincy Dodd 15. Jessica Sergis 16. Sarah Togatuki 17. Keilee Joseph 18. Lauren Brown 19. Jessika Elliston 20. Mahalia Murphy 21. Keeley Davis

1. Georgie Dagger 2. Eboni Partington 3. Tamzin Renouf 4. Amy Hardcastle 5. Anna Davies 6. Zoe Harris 7. Georgia Roche 8. Olivia Wood 9. Keara Bennett 10. Shona Hoyle 11. Hollie Dodd 12. Paige Travis 13. Jodie Cunningham 14. Katie Mottershead 15. Vicky Whitfield 16. Bella Sykes 17. Izzy Northrop 18. Erin Stott 19. Jenna Foubister

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Sideline Officials: Tara Jones, Liam Moore
Video Referee: Todd Smith