Rugby League World Cup 2026: The solution to Australia Jillaroos blowout wins, schedule, Kiwi Ferns

The Jillaroos have obliterated and humiliated their opposition this Rugby League World Cup and are yet to concede a single point.

So is it time to rethink the women’s international game?

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It’s not just in this tournament the Jillaroos have flexed their intimidating muscle; they’ve scored 440 points in their last nine matches while conceding just 20. That’s averaging little over two points per game.

They haven’t lost a match since 2023 and have tasted defeat just three times since winning their first World Cup in 2013. They’ve lost just once in 24 tests the last 10 years.

It’s all off the back of a successful NRLW competition and national high performance program. The Jillaroos had won just four of 20 tests against New Zealand prior to 2017.

But while it’s great to see Australia dominate, our Jillaroos aren’t being properly challenged.

New Zealand are our biggest opponent and in the last three matches we’ve beaten them by 32 points, six and 20.

This does, however, open up an incredible opportunity for the NRL: a Jillaroos v Rest of the World fixture.

It would be an exhibition match, but not a gimmick. It would see the best players from outside Australia combine to take on the Jillaroos.

It would see the Jillaroos properly challenged and tested, while providing an incredible advertisement for the women’s game, igniting even more interest for the NRLW and women’s competition.

The idea was first floated to me by former Jillaroo Kylie Hilder after the Jillaroos were axed from the NRL’s annual Vegas trip following their 90-4 win over England last year. After being told the women’s game wasn’t any good, they were now being punished for being too good.

A Jillaroos v Rest of the World would provide a spectacle the game couldn’t ignore.

A similar concept was used in World Series Cricket in the 70s and in an ICC Super Series in 2005. There was also an Australia v Australia A tri-series in the 90s.

Could the Jillaroos talent pool potentially extend to two teams?

Australia beat England on the weekend 78-nil without fielding their strongest side. This week they meet Wales who lost to England 70-6 in their first match and then were defeated by Samoa 76-nil on the weekend. If the Jillaroos win over England was called an annihilation, it’s likely this week’s performance against Wales will be an assassination.

But it’s important to discuss the international teams’ performance within the context of their history. Wales and Fiji are playing in their first World Cup. Fiji have only played 10 tests, while Wales only played their first international in 2021. Samoa is also playing their first World Cup since 2008.

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The men’s international game grew in strength off the back of high profile players switching their allegiance to the countries of their heritage. Most notably with Tonga and Samoa. It’s easier to do, though, when you have big money NRL contracts behind you.

When you have a far less lucrative NRLW contract and are maxing out your annual leave and favours from the full-time job you don’t have the luxury to leave (in order to focus on footy), then the larger match payments and better set up from the Australian system are, understandably, the priority.

While we wait for the international game to catch up to the standard that the Jillaroos have set, there’s a clear opportunity to make the most of Australia’s dominance.

A Jillaroos v Rest of the World fixture isn’t the long-term solution, but it’s an opportunity to create a new product that will both challenge and entertain.

Don’t punish the Jillaroos for being too good, instead promote them for being the best.

Foxsports.com.au’s Potential Rest of the World team:

1. Apii Nichols (New Zealand)

2. Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Samoa)

3. Mele Hufanga (New Zealand)

4. Stacey Waaka (New Zealand)

6. Taliah Fuimaono (Samoa)

7. Raecene McGregor (New Zealand)

8. Annetta Nuuausala (Samoa)

9. Georgia Hale (New Zealand)

10. Otesa Pule (New Zealand)

11. Jasmine Strange (England)

12. Evania Isa’ako (Samoa)

14. Tayla Preston (Wales)

17. Elsie Albert (Papua New Guinea)