By George Clarke
Australia’s defence of the Rugby League World Cup is off to an impressive start with co-captain Sam Bremner scoring four tries in a 74-0 thumping of the Cook Islands.
The 31-year-old fullback, who was playing her first Jillaroos Test since 2018 following the birth of her two children, was at her devastating best as the Australians underlined their title credentials in York.
Sam Bremner crosses for the third of her four tries in Australia’s Women’s Rugby League World Cup opener.Credit:Getty
In front of 3091 fans, the Jillaroos were in complete control from start to finish as they ran in 14 tries in their opening group B clash.
Centre Evania Pelite scored a hat-trick, five-eighth Tarryn Aiken and winger Julia Robinson grabbed tryscoring braces and Caitlan Johnston, Taliah Fuimaono and Shenae Ciesiolka crossed once.
Bremner grabbed two in each half and was named player of the match.
In the group’s other game played earlier on Wednesday (local time) in a double-header, the Kiwi Ferns thrashed France 46-0 after a difficult and unconvincing start to the game.
There were no such issues for the Jillaroos, who will play the French on Sunday (Monday AEDT), and backed up their tag as tournament favourites with a dominant showing.
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