Australia have reasserted their status as the heavyweights of international women’s rugby league, thrashing New Zealand 24-4 in the Pacific Cup final as revenge for last year’s decider.
The pressure was on the Jillaroos this Pacific Championships following that shock loss to the Kiwi Ferns in the 2023 final and some controversial selection calls since.
Brad Donald’s side responded by going almost the entire series without conceding a point, with only a suspect Leianne Tufuga try on Sunday preventing them from recording three consecutive clean sheets for the first time.
At CommBank Stadium, the Jillaroos’ left edge set the tone for a dominant showing that would have been even more one-sided had Tarryn Aiken kicked more than two of five goal attempts.
Halfback Aiken was the Jillaroos’ best, sending the final pass for Julia Robinson to score the opening try when Shanice Parker rushed in. It was Robinson’s seventh four-pointer of the series.