Australia coach Brad Donald believes his side are creating a legacy for women’s rugby league after the Jillaroos dominated rivals New Zealand to win an emphatic third World Cup in a row.
The Aussies were at their unstoppable best as they powered to a 20-0 half-time lead which extended to 38-0 before the Kiwi Ferns got on the board to thundering cheers inside Old Trafford. The ten-try, 54-4 win cemented Australia’s place as the immovable object in women’s rugby league, and Donald believes this is a victory that goes way beyond the pitch.
“We have great people here who want to continue the legacy of this jersey and do the best for the women’s game,” he said. “We understand what this jersey means and we have created great pathways for our female players.
“Everyone now understands how magic the women’s game is. This is a ‘pinch me’ moment for the girls, this would not have happened four, five, six years ago.”
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Donald has not lost during his six years in charge of the Jillaroos, who added to their World Cup wins in 2013 and 2017 with a near-perfect display in Manchester. And the head coach feels the biggest wins continue to come off the field, with more young players now wanting to make it in Australia’s professional game.
“It’s about what happens off the field. They have inspired a generation to play in the NRLW and lots of little girls are now watching and wanting to play rugby league. That’s what success means to our girls.”
For the second World Cup final in a row Ali Brigginshaw was named the best player on the pitch as the Kiwis’ chief tormentor, with her creative play deciding the game before half-time. Brigginshaw though felt her side’s defensive effort was even more impressive than the half century of points they scored.
“I’ve never been part of a group who could defend like that,” she said. “We never rested in defence and we are kicking ourselves that they even scored once.”
Isabelle Kelly weighed in with two tries but also felt the heroic defensive effort should grab the headlines on what was a special occasion for the sport.
“We really worked on our defence and showed up for each other, and it was great to see the crowd here supporting the women’s game,” she said. “It’s amazing and a little more special this time as the women’s game is progressing and the competitor is fiercer.
“At the last World Cup our goal was to establish an NRLW to put the women’s game on the map and hopefully this was escalate it even more. To take the trophy home is really exciting.”
For New Zealand boss Ricky Henry the final was a wake-up call for just how well Australia are leading the development of the women’s game.
“We played our worst game out there rather than our best,” he lamented. “There are a few things that need to change, the game has grown so rapidly in Australia and we need to get on that train as well.
“We froze and couldn’t get the job done but I’m proud of what they have done this campaign. We need to identify talent now and start to develop them ahead of the 2025 World Cup.”
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