The Jillaroos have sent another reminder of the gap between them and the rest of the world, defending their Pacific Cup crown with a 40-8 win over New Zealand.<\/p>\n
One year out from a home World Cup and after a season that began with a 90-4 drubbing of England in Las Vegas, Australia again showed its class on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Tested by New Zealand in a low-scoring 10-4 encounter in Auckland last week, it was an entirely different story with a trophy on the line at Western Sydney Stadium.<\/p>\n
Australia led 24-0 after 31 minutes, and while the Kiwi Ferns got two tries back in the second half the hosts never looked like being troubled.<\/p>\n
So clear is Australia’s dominance, there was barely a celebration from Jillaroos players when the final siren went.<\/p>\n
Their tries came in every way, with ominous signs from the moment Olivia Kernick slid over under the posts from first receiver in the third minute.<\/p>\n
Playing in her first international series Jesse Southwell stood up at halfback, kicking across field for a high-flying Julia Robinson to score.<\/p>\n
Quincy Dodd hit Keilee Joseph on the chest to put her through a gaping hole next to the posts for one try, and Ellie Johnston crashed over for another.<\/p>\n
And even when New Zealand looked like it was going to post first-half points just before the break, Australia swung the play in its favour.<\/p>\n
After Robinson pulled Shanice Parker down in the corner, the Jillaroos went coast-to-coast next set when Jakaya Whitfield stepped into a hole and put Jess Sergis into space.<\/p>\n
Tamika Upton also went over for her customary try in the second half, doing so in typical fashion when she dummied to the left and created a hole to run through.<\/p>\n
New Zealand was able to go in twice through Parker and Tysha Ikenasio, but by then the contest was effectively over.<\/p>\n
And when Robinson crossed for her second on the fulltime siren, the Jillaroos had completed their biggest win over the Kiwi Ferns in three years.<\/p>\n
Australia is certain to enter next year’s World Cup as the clear favourites, after winning the past three global tournaments and losing just one Test since 2016.<\/p>\n
Do you have a story idea about women in sport?<\/p>\n