Julia Robinson became the Jillaroos’ most prolific tryscorer with a four-pointer for the history books on Sunday. Her incredible diving catch pushed Australia towards a dominant victory over Fetu Samoa ahead of facing top rival New Zealand in the final round of the Pacific Championships.
The Jillaroos secured a 19th win in their past 20 Test matches by defeating Samoa 60-0, scoring 11 tries, including doubles from Robinson, Jess Sergis, and Tamika Upton.
New Zealand will get two opportunities to face Australia, given both teams have already qualified for the final, and each side will be hungry for victory. The Jillaroos beat the Kiwi Ferns 24-4 in last year’s final – now the New Zealanders want to settle the score, having taken a win over Australia in 2023 during a Pacific Championships that didn’t crown a women’s tournament winner.
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Read on for our Talking Points from Round 2.
JILLAROOS SWITCH PROPS FOR KIWI FERNS CHALLENGE
While Australia thrashed an injury-hit Samoan side, New Zealand snatched only a two-point victory in Round 1.
While the differing margins would suggest a runaway Jillaroos victory this week, their fierce rivalry with the Kiwi Ferns suggests otherwise.
Jillaroos coach Jessica Skinner was asked how the team will prepare to contend with the Ferns.
“I think it’s decreasing our errors, there were a few errors there. Pushing some passes that didn’t need to be passed. A little bit more intent in our defence when we are probably in the middle of the field and keep them away from our goal line,” Skinner said.
The only change to the Jillaroos’ star-studded line up is the promotion of Sharks powerhouse Ellie Johnston in the No.8 jersey, moving from the interchange to the starting line-up. She switched places with Roosters front-rower Rima Butler.
The Kiwi Ferns are again captained by NRLW mainstays Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor. They have, however, made a few changes since playing in Round 1, including swapping out Warriors’ Shakira Baker for Roosters prop Otesa Pule.
Leianne Tufuga comes on to the wing after missing NZ’s first match, and joining her is Knights prop Tiana Davison, who will replace Brianna Clark after she was suspended for two games following a grade two high tackle against Samoa. Trinity Tauaneai has been elevated into the extended squad.
Ellie Johnston takes on the defence of Samoa.Source: Getty Images
HOW ROBINSON STUNNER STOLE THE SHOW
Broncos star Julia Robinson proved why she is a staple of Test football by scoring one of the most impressive tries the game has ever seen.
The 27-year-old dived five metres through the air to catch a bomb from Jesse Southwell, perfectly grounding it against Samoa at the 50-minute mark.
The incredible try was the winger’s second of the match and 20th of her Test career, making her the most prolific tryscorer in Jillaroos history by overtaking teammate Isabelle Kelly.
“It was just incredible to watch,” teammate and co-captain Kezie Apps said.
“I said, ‘You were very brave’, because there’s a lot of things that could go wrong with that but obviously she just works real hard and does a lot of practice with that sort of stuff as well.”
Skinner added: “She is an absolute athlete. She by far is one of the best wingers in the game.
“I think that when you watch her you can see what women do in sport … what women can do in this sport.”
Julia Robinson celebrates her astonishing diving try.Source: Getty Images
Co-captain Ali Brigginshaw branded Robinson an “absolute freak”, while Matildas megastar Sam Kerr shared a video of the try with her 1.7 million Instagram followers. Views for the extraordinary effort exploded.
Despite Robinson being named Dally M Centre of the Year, the Jillaroos were so stacked with centre options that the premiership winner was positioned on the wing along with Jess Sergis.
Skinner said that Robinson “wanted to bring in a little bit more athleticism” to her game following the Las Vegas Test and has been able to do so in the centres for the Broncos, but thinks the wing is the best fit for her in the Australian squad.
Robinson was excited to return to the wing on the left alongside Kelly and her incredible try was the result of much practice with such leaping takes.
“I knew it was fifth and last and in training we did a few of those cross-field kicks and when Jesse kicked it… I actually didn’t know if I was going to make it because it was quite deep,” Robinson said, per NRL.com.
“But I just pinned the ears back and I was happy I got it.”
Skinner has kept Robinson in the No.2 jersey against New Zealand, where she is sure to be a dangerous force yet again. Kelly and Tiana Penitani Gray remain in the centres.
Julia Robinson celebrates her all-time try with Isabelle Kelly.Source: Getty Images
BRONCOS STARS OLD AND NEW DOMINATE AGAINST SAMOA
It is no secret that the Broncos were a dominant force in the NRLW this year, and the powerhouses of that side continue to prove why they are superstars.
The Jillaroos’ starting 13 includes three players from the premiership-winning Brisbane side as well as Jesse Southwell, who announced she would be joining the Broncos next year.
With the side led by Brigginshaw and Southwell, who debuted at halfback against Samoa, Sunday’s Test gave a perfect preview of the Broncos’ 2026 halves pairing and it did not disappoint.
Southwell’s debut included an impressive run and partnerships formed with fullback Tamika Upton as well as Brigginshaw. The match also saw the halfback kick eight from 11 conversions and demonstrate why she was a shoo-in for Test selection.
Upton positioned herself all across the win against Samoa, scoring two tries, including a 50 metre solo run. The Dally M Player of the Year also put the first try of the game into effect, drawing the defence and firing a pass to Sergis who scored the opener just six minutes in.
Fellow Bronco Robinson expects a sterner test against the Kiwi Ferns, especially this weekend across the ditch before the final at Parramatta.
“I feel like it’s always like a grand final feeling when we play in New Zealand,” she said.
“They’re going to turn up aggressive, and we know they’re going to play the best footy against us, so we just have to prepare for whatever they throw at us … we just need to focus on ourselves.”
Jesse Southwell shapes to pass against Samoa, in her first game partnering Ali Brigginshaw in the halves.Source: Getty Images
BRAVE SAMOA’S TOUGH EXIT
Despite the scoreline against Australia, Samoa fought until the end after losing four players to injury; ending the game with just 13 healthy players and no one on the interchange bench.
They came into the game hopeful following their narrow loss to New Zealand the week prior, although missing star players in Sienna Lofipo and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, the team struggled to find their footing.
Playmaker Jataya Faifua went off with a shoulder injury, while Sarina Masaga copped a knee to the head, likely facing a broken jaw. Jaydika Tafua went off with an arm injury and Jessica Patea suffered shoulder damage.
“Jetaya, Sarina and Jess Patea have all gone off to hospital,” Samoa coach Jamie Soward said post-game.
After being promoted to the Pacific Cup from the Bowl this year, the Samoan side were ultimately unlucky to finish the competition winless.
Lock Shalom Sauoso and five-eighth Taliah Fuimaono made clear why they are playing Test football and are sure to have a crucial role in Samoa’s future showings.
“I’m just proud of the girls and how we held ourselves until the end,” Samoa captain Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala said.
“We had four girls that weren’t able to finish the game off, so I think that speaks volumes of how much we dug deep for each other.”