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Megan Maurice<\/p>\nKey events<\/p>\n
SummaryMegan Maurice<\/p>\n
Well, what an opening game for the women\u2019s tournament! While it didn\u2019t have the close scoreline of the men\u2019s opener last night, there was so much heart and passion on the field and some truly incredible defence from Samoa. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing how they build throughout the tournament \u2013 they have so much talent and some very smart players \u2013 in particular Freedom Crichton Ropati and Destiny Mino-Sinapati \u2013 who will only get better as they go on.<\/p>\n
The Jillaroos will take a lot out of that game as well \u2013 while they\u2019ll be heartened by the strong win, they will want to cut down their error rate, especially when they come up against New Zealand and England. They made 10 errors and conceded five penalties \u2013 many of them at crucial times. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see coach Jess Skinner look to mix up some combinations and see if that reduces the error rate.<\/p>\n
However, they will be pleased with their 519 post-contact metres and nine line breaks \u2013 they are always making things happen out on the field and when they can hold on to the ball they will have the chance to score even more tries.<\/p>\n
Both teams have a week off now \u2013 Samoa will come up against Wales next Friday back at CommBank Stadium, while the Jillaroos take on England in Perth next Saturday.<\/p>\n
I hope you enjoyed this great battle tonight and keep on watching the incredible women playing in all the teams at this tournament. Until next time, go rugby league!<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.36 EDT<\/p>\n One thing that\u2019s great to see is all the babies around this team. Once upon a time, women had to retire from sport if they wanted to have kids. Now they have the opportunity to take time out and come back and play on the world stage with their kids watching from the stands. Millie Elliott\u2019s daughter steals the show by stealing the microphone cover during her interview. It\u2019s such a wonderful thing to see for so many reasons!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Jillaroos captain Isabelle Kelly is full of praise for her opponents.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was really tough,\u201d she says. \u201cI want to congratulate Samoa, they\u2019ve worked really hard and made it really tough for us out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Samoa captain Annetta Nuuausala is equally complimentary of the Australian team.<\/p>\n \u201cWe knew coming into this game that they were going to give it to us,\u201d she says. \u201cThey\u2019re the pinnacle of women\u2019s rugby league internationally, so we knew it would be tough.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Player of the Match: Jocelyn Kelleher<\/p>\n A well-deserved player of the match award for Jocelyn Kelleher on debut. Her kicking game \u2013 both goal kicking and kicking in play \u2013 was sensational.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a dream come true, I had so much fun, I loved it,\u201d she says. \u201cAll our hard work paid off today.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Full time: Australia 40-0 Samoa<\/p>\n Despite what the scoreline says, it truly was a sensational effort from Samoa tonight. Their tryline defence was so strong, but in attack they couldn\u2019t get enough possession and territory to score or hold Australia out every time.<\/p>\n A comprehensive win from the Jillaroos, despite making more errors than they would have liked. There will be plenty for them to work on before their next hit out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.44 EDT<\/p>\n GOAL! Australia 40-0 Samoa (Kelleher 68′)<\/p>\n Great goal kicking from Kelleher tonight \u2013 she slots her sixth goal for the match.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 38-0 Samoa (Sergis 67′)<\/p>\n It\u2019s been phenomenal defence from Samoa this half, but they give away a penalty and that\u2019s all the invitation the Jillaroos need to find some space and put Sergis through it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 68 mins: Samoa starts with the ball on their own line, but Tagoai drops the ball and Samoa have to defend again. Aiken finds a huge space to run through, but a wall of blue jerseys closes the gap. Penitani-Gray is taken down in a HUGE tackle from Crichton Ropati \u2013 it\u2019s the tackle of the match for sure.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 66 mins: Samoa\u2019s line drop out doesn\u2019t go the 10m and then they pick it up and are penalised. A huge hit on Kelly when she looks certain to score energises Samoa again \u2013 their tryline defence has really been outstanding. Then they hold Johnston up and we take a break while the bunker checks if she\u2019s really held up over the line. Turns out she is! They defend again and stop Australia scoring yet again when they look certain to dive over through Penitani-Gray.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 64 mins: Australia get a penalty after a dangerous tackle from Taito and look to add some more points late in the game. Aiken puts in a kick and Upton chase it, but Samoa are there in numbers to kick it dead.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 62 mins: The bunker finds that Clarke lost the ball before the line and Australia are on the march down the field again in an instant. A brilliant catch under pressure from Mino-Sinapati and a linebreak from Crichton Ropati gets the ball back down the other end of the field, but Upton picks up the ball from the kick to stop Samoa scoring.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 60 mins: Another set for Samoa close to their line \u2013 is this their chance to score? They\u2019re getting close, it looks like Clarke dives over, but referee Kasey Badger says she\u2019s short of the line. Samoa decide to challenge the decision.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 58 mins: The Jillaroos start to build some momentum again, but a forward pass out on the edge gives the ball back to Samoa \u2013 Aiken got a bit overexcited when she saw how big an overlap they had.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 56 mins: Samoa are showing so much determination and are working so hard to make something happen. They get a good kick away on the fifth in this set and force Chapman to play at it, earning a line drop out and a repeat set. Nuuasala starts the set strongly with a great run, but they get too close to the sideline on the next tackle and are taken into touch.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 54 mins: It\u2019s the first time Samoa have had the ball in good attacking position for a long time and they go close, but they can\u2019t find a strong fifth tackle option \u2013 they try to run through a very small gap and have to hand the ball back over to Australia. They defend well again all through the set and force an error late to get a scrum feed just inside their own half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 52 mins: The Jillaroos keep finding themselves deep down in Samoa\u2019s half and they\u2019re testing every bit of the tryline defence. But Samoa hold strong and make try-saving tackle after try-saving tackle. They get a penalty that rewards their great defence and gives them an opportunity in attack.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 50 mins: Huge defence from Samoa on their tryline \u2013 Kernick wants to push over the line, but they hold her back. She tries an offload, but Isa\u2019ako picks it up for Samoa and powers downfield. A little pause as Masaga gets some medical attention after a big tackle, but she\u2019s OK to continue. A big counterattack from Upton and Chapman when Australia get the ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 48 mins: A strong set for the Jillaroos following the try and it\u2019s finished with a classic Kelleher fifth tackle kick \u2013 an incredibly accurate bomb that is fumbled by Crichton Ropati and Australia have the ball close to the line yet again.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Australia 34-0 Samoa (Kelleher 46′)<\/p>\n Another easy shot for Kelleher \u2013 she\u2019ll be upset her Roosters teammates couldn\u2019t score this close to the post for her during the grand final!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 32-0 Samoa (Joseph 44′)<\/p>\n Two tackles after Taufa nearly goes over, Joseph finds some space and dives through a gap to score her first try for the match.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 mins: Aiken puts a grubber in at the end of Australia\u2019s set and Mino-Sinapati bravely dives on it with chaser coming through. But a couple of tackles later, Hall loses the ball in the tackle and the Jillaroos get a scrum 40m out. One tackle later, they\u2019re on the 10m line and Taufa goes within a whisker of scoring.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 43 mins: Some energy in this set from Samoa and a great line break from Rimoni sets them up for a good play, but they can\u2019t get a good kick away on the fifth tackle and the Jillaroos get the ball back.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 41 mins: A chance for Samoa in attack and they will want to make some good ground here. Hall pushes up the field well, but the kick is accidentally charged down by Joseph and the Jillaroos are back in great field position. But a forward pass from Upton to Kelly close to the line gives the ball back to Samoa.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 39 mins: Fast hands from the Jillaroos off the scrum and they get the ball moving down the field. Aiken throws a great cut out pass, but Chapman can\u2019t hold on to it and Samoa breathe a sigh of relief, as that would have been a certain try.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 37 mins: Samoa give away a penalty straight away in the second half for ruck interference \u2013 not the start they wanted. But Joseph knocks the ball on early in the set after some strong Samoan defence and they get a scrum in the middle of the field, then throw a forward pass. It\u2019s all happening!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half time: Australia 28-0 Samoa<\/p>\n A dominant half from the Jillaroos after they struggled with errors and penalties early. Samoa weren\u2019t able to capitalise with points on the board when they had all the ball and territory \u2013 they will be disappointed about that, but they should be proud of the effort.<\/p>\n The professionalism and combinations of the Jillaroos are holding them in good stead at the moment, they were able to build throughout the half and not be thrown off course by things not going to plan early in the half.<\/p>\n Still plenty of excitement yet to come in the second half \u2013 take a break and we\u2019ll get back into it soon!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Australia 28-0 Samoa (Kelleher 35′)<\/p>\n Another easy shot for Kelleher and she knocks it over on the stroke of half time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 26-0 Samoa (Kernick 34′)<\/p>\n Off the back of the penalty, the Jillaroos get one more try before the break, with some quick passing and footwork to put Kernick over.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 mins: Samoa look to be on struggle street late in the half \u2013 they\u2019re not making mistakes, but they don\u2019t look to have the same attacking power they had earlier in the game. But it\u2019s a good sign that they\u2019re still completing their sets. The Jillaroos get a penalty with a minute left in the first half to have one final chance to score in this half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 33 mins: Another opportunity in attack for Samoa after a poor fifth tackle option from Australia, just running out of time to set something up. Masaga makes a great run down the sideline and there\u2019s a good kick at the end of the set, but Upton soars above the crowd to take it safely.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 31 mins: A good run from Rimoni caps off a nice set from Samoa, but they can\u2019t put up a good enough kick to deceive the Australians. The Jillaroos dash down field courtesy of a few great line breaks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 29 mins: Johnston starts the set with another strong run, she\u2019s really taking on that \u2018post-contact metres\u2019 stat. Kelleher puts up a huge bomb and there\u2019s competition for it, but Mino-Sinapati picks it up and makes a good run.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Australia 22-0 Samoa (Kelleher 27′)<\/p>\n Kelleher makes no mistake from right in front and adds another two points.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 20-0 Samoa (Nizza 26′)<\/p>\n The Jillaroos are really starting to dominate now, after those early mistakes and penalties. It\u2019s not just evident on the scoreboard \u2013 where previously the players looked well-matched on the field, now the Jillaroos look stronger and faster. One of the markers loses their footing and Nizza, darts through the space and takes her opportunity to score under the posts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 25 mins: Kelleher misses the conversion and Australia make no mistake in receiving the kick off this time. Johnston makes two great runs up through the middle to put some good metres on. It\u2019s another solid set, pinning Samoa down deep in their own half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 16-0 Samoa (Bent 22′)<\/p>\n The Jillaroos quickly capitalise on the Samoan error, with a long sweeping play from one side of the field to the other and Bent finds a gap and dives over.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 21 mins: Samoa lose the ball early in their set, but put on some strong defence \u2013 they are determined to keep Australia down in their own half. Kelleher finishes with a great kick and Mino-Sinapati can\u2019t hold on to it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 19 mins: Miscommunication for the Jillaroos from the kick off and Samoa get a scrum 30m out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Australia 12-0 Samoa (Kelleher 18′)<\/p>\n Kelleher shows she can slice it from both sides, knocking another one over from the other sideline!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 10-0 Samoa (Robinson 17′)<\/p>\n Unfortunately for Samoa, they give up another penalty with a high tackle and in the blink of an eye, Australia are back down near the tryline. There is plenty of desperate defence on the tryline, but they can\u2019t hold the Jillaroos out and some quick passing gets Robinson over the line.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16 mins: Kelleher misses with her kick and it doesn\u2019t find touch. Mino-Sinapati picks it up for Samoa just inside the sideline and they get an opportunity to attack. It\u2019s a solid set and they\u2019re holding their own so far in this game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 14 mins: The Jillaroos have a bit of a shocker from the kick off, but clean things up and put together a good set. Samoa give away a penalty with a late hit on Kelleher on the kick.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Australia 6-0 Samoa (Kelleher 12′)<\/p>\n Kelleher has clearly been practicing her goal kicking after converting just 1\/7 in the grand final, she slices that one over the black dot!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 4-0 Samoa (Chapman 10′)<\/p>\n Off the back of that penalty, the Jillaroos swing the ball from one side of the field to the other, creating an overlap and putting Chapman over in the corner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 mins: First real chance for the Jillaroos, as they get within 10m of Samoa\u2019s tryline, but Aiken makes an error with the kick, she just kind of misses it with her foot? Samoa are immediately on the charge downfield and put up a great kick that Upton tries to shepherd into touch, but it stubbornly sits up in goal and she has to pick it up an run. But run she does and makes great ground. The Jillaroos put on some quick play the balls to catch Samoa off guard and get another penalty.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 mins: Despite the field position, Samoa can\u2019t hold on to the ball and make a handling error, to give Australia a scrum deep in their own half. Now it\u2019s the Jillaroos who get a penalty \u2013 this is quite a lot of penalties already in less than 10 minutes of football.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 6 mins: The Jillaroos then give up a penalty for interference in the ruck \u2013 they are giving up a lot of field position early in this match. That\u2019s followed by another penalty on the third tackle of the next set and referee Kasey Badger has some stern words for the Jillaroos.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 4 mins: A decent set by the Jillaroos, but they didn\u2019t make as much territory as they would have liked. Samoa are attacking strongly and manage a couple of half line breaks and get into good field position, but the kick goes into touch over the sideline. Kelly makes an error early in the next set and Samoa get the ball 30m out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 2 mins: A minor mix up on the kick off from Samoa, but they pick it up on the bounce and Samoa immediately pick up a penalty \u2013 though I\u2019m not sure anyone on the field is clear what it\u2019s for. A good first set for Samoa, finished with a good kick, but it\u2019s well taken by Chapman.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Australia has kicked off and we\u2019re underway!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A number of the Samoan players are tearing up during the anthem \u2013 what a special moment for them to be able to represent their country on the world stage.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The players have completed their final warm ups in the change rooms and are now entering the field, ready for the pre-match ceremony.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I was reading earlier about Jess Sergis playing in a \u2018milestone match\u2019 today and discovered that milestone was\u2026 15 Tests for the Jillaroos. It really shows how little international rugby league there is \u2013 especially for women \u2013 that this is considered a milestone.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019m very excited to see Jocelyn Kelleher\u2019s debut for the Jillaroos tonight. Her kicking game in the NRLW grand final was sensational and she really put Brisbane on the back foot with the pinpoint accurate bombs she was putting up. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing what she does tonight.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n And if you want to catch up on the action from last night\u2019s opening game on the men\u2019s side of the draw, have a read of Angus Fontaine\u2019s match report.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re coming into this game pretty fresh, here\u2019s something I prepared earlier on the women\u2019s tournament and the rapidly closing gap between nations.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team list: Samoa<\/p>\n 1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 3. Monica Tagoai 4. Sarina Masaga 5. Freedom Crichton Ropati 6. Tailah Fuimaono 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 8. Annette Nuuausala 9. Mary-Jane Taito 10. Laikha Clarke 11. Evania Isa\u2019ako 12. Ivana Lolesio 13. Leilani Wilson Interchange: 14. Evelyn Roberts 15. Fanua Rimoni 16. Amber Hall 17. Jasmine Fogavini<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Team list: Australia<\/p>\n 1. Tamika Upton 2. Jaime Chapman 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly (c) 5. Julia Robinson 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Simaima Taufa 11. Kezie Apps 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Olivia Kernick Interchange: 14. Keeley Nizza 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Tiana Penitani-Gray 17. Ellie Johnston<\/p>\n