The Jillaroos are expecting a far more competitive showing from England this week after the all-conquering Aussies embarrassed their foes with an 86-point thumping when they met in Las Vegas last year.

The world’s best team scored 17 tries in the 90-4 shellacking last March, and they are primed for another big win after dusting off the cobwebs in their World Cup opener against Samoa in Sydney.

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Jess Skinner’s side weren’t at their best but still cruised to a 40-0 victory, with Australia winning their four Tests since the England match by a combined 150-12.

England thumped Wales 70-6 in Perth on Saturday, which makes you wonder what the score will be when they face the Aussies next week.

“We haven’t really focused on them too much, we’ve been taking it one game at a time,” Jillaroos captain Isabelle Kelly replied when asked about England.

“We’re looking forward to playing them. They’ve got a lot of girls that have gone and played now with England from the NRLW, and I think that’s certainly going to strengthen their side.

“After we look at where we can be better after (the Samoa) game, we’ll assess that and go from there.

“It’s just another challenge for us, and focusing on ourselves more so than them is probably what we normally do here. We’re excited for the challenge and we know they’re going to be up for it.”

The Jillaroos’ World Cup opener was a tv ratings success. Pic: NRLSource: Supplied

Superstar fullback Tamika Upton scored five tries in the win over England, while strike centre Jess Sergis came off the bench and still finished with a hat-trick at Allegiant Stadium.

“It was a little bit weird,” Sergis said.

“I don’t actually think we reflected on that game because it was quite fast and we were in and out in Vegas. But it will definitely be something we reflect on this week moving forward.

“I think England are going to be a different team. They’ve got Jasmin Strange and Georgia Roche there, so we can’t take them lightly.

”England would have been more of a challenge had Jocelyn Kelleher decided to represent the country where her mum was born, but the Roosters playmaker waited patiently and was rewarded with a stunning debut for Australia.

Fiji make statement against Cook Islands | 02:32

The five-eighth tormented Samoa with her right boot and was named player of the match.

“I am so proud of ‘Joc’,” Sergis said.

“She was in the squad last year and never got her opportunity to play, and she’s always just been itching. I know this has been a big goal of hers.

“I was there when she got the call that she was in the squad, just to see how much excitement she had with that. Now to debut and be player of the match, I think she’ll just be over the moon.

“She’ll probably doubt herself and still say she didn’t play her best, but that’s the beauty of a World Cup campaign – we’ve got weeks to build and get better.

“I’m very proud of how she played and controlled us around the field, and she’s only going to get better from here.”

— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)

Why Ali missed out on Jillaroos spot | 01:28

NRLW TEEN RELEASED AFTER AVOIDING JAIL

The St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed the release of teenage NRLW talent Seriah Palepale after she avoided jail for leading police on a 200km/hour chase before crashing into a telegraph pole.

It comes after she was sentenced last week to a 16-month intensive corrections order and handed a two-year driving suspension with 120 hours of community services in Campbelltown Local Court.

Making her NRLW debut in Round 9 against the Warriors, the former Australian Schoolgirls representative was listed to play before the weekend she was charged before being stood down in September.

“The St George Illawarra Dragons have granted Seriah Palepale an immediate release from her NRLW playing contract on compassionate grounds,” a club statement read.

“Palepale requested the release following recent personal circumstances, and the club agreed it was in both parties’ best interests to part ways.

“The Dragons acknowledge the seriousness of the matters that were recently before the court.

“The club will continue to provide Palepale with appropriate support during this period and wish her well moving forward.”

AN NRLW player spent last night behind bars after allegedly taking police on a 200km/h chase that only ended when she crashed into a telegraph pole. St George Illawarra prop Seriah Palepale was listed to play this weekend but has since been stood down after being charged with four criminal offences over the wild chase that allegedly unfolded in South West Sydney on Thursday night. The 19-year-old, who is an L Plater, was listed to face Campbelltown Local Court on Friday on four charges just days after playing her first NRLW game. Pictured: Dragons WebsiteSource: Supplied Source Known



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