Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner has warned footy fans that they’re going to miss something special in women’s rugby league if they don’t attend games after thousands of spectators left after the men’s World Cup match on Friday.
It meant there were only a few thousand people at the second game of the double-header where Australia beat a brave Samoa side 40-0.
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While there were epic scenes at Allianz Stadium on Thursday for the tournament opener between Australia and New Zealand, the same can’t be said for what we saw in Parramatta.
Large sections of the stadium were empty for the men’s match between Samoa and France, although the ends of the ground were packed with Samoan supporters who saw their side run amok.
But most of them left after the first game which led to a noticeably smaller crowd for the best team in the world.
“Let’s get around women in sport, right? All women in sport, particularly this Rugby League World Cup,” Skinner said after the game.
“We’ve got a lot of talented women across all of the teams. The message would be to stay and support the growth. Something really cool is happening in this generation of sport with our ladies, and you’re going to miss it.
“There are history-making moments over this World Cup and we want to see our fans, particularly in the green and gold, be a part of that. Just come and have a look.”
The poor crowd has led to suggestions that the Jillaroos should have played first on Friday, but they are the defending champions, the tournament hosts and deserve to be in the spotlight.
They will again be the second game of a double-header next week in Perth when they face England, and will then be the first game of a triple-header in Parramatta on November 1 with two men’s games to follow.
Jillaroos skipper Isabelle Kelly said she didn’t really notice the crowd leaving but said it was unfortunate.
“When we’re out there, we’re focused on each other and the role we play for one another,” she said.
“It’s unfortunate with a lot of people leaving, but at the end of the day, we play rugby league because we love playing it. We’ve never played for the crowds or the outside noise, we’ve just played because it’s something that we’re so passionate about.
“For the next few games, there’s going to be some really great, competitive, top-notch games that are going to showcase a lot of talent, so it’d be great for people to be coming and tuning into those games.
“At the end of the day, we just keep working hard and putting this game on a platform.”
Skinner said there was some rust in the 40-0 win but that was to be expected in the first game of a tournament where some of the stars hadn’t played for weeks.
One player who stole the show was debutant Jocelyn Kelleher who set up tries and tormented Samoa’s back three with her booming right boot.
“We just celebrated her getting player of the match,” Skinner said.
“I reckon that’s a dream run for her, and her kicking game was amazing. She took her opportunities when she had them, so it couldn’t get better than that in a World Cup debut for the Jillaroos and becoming part of a legacy piece.
“Really proud of her.”