Australia set new women's Rugby League World Cup record with 124-6 win over Wales

Australia’s women’s rugby league team, the Jillaroos, delivered a historic performance in their World Cup group match against Wales, winning 124‑6 at Sydney’s Commbank Stadium. The victory featured 21 tries, the most ever recorded in a women’s international match, and a 118‑point margin, the largest in any women’s rugby league game.

The match, played on 1 November 2026, saw Australia dominate from the start, leading 60‑0 at half‑time – a score that eclipsed any previous World Cup half‑time tally, men’s or women’s. Jaime Chapman contributed six of the tries, including the final one in the closing minute, while other scorers included Kernick, Church (two), Southwell (who also kicked 20 goals), Sergis (four), Apps, Paki, Joseph (two), Upton (two) and Nizza.

Background

The Jillaroos entered the tournament as defending champions, seeking a fourth successive World Cup title. Their opponent, Wales, were making their final group‑stage appearance. Prior to this match, the women’s World Cup record for points in a single game was 92‑0, set by Australia against France in 2022. The men’s record for a World Cup match stood at 110‑4 by the Australian Kangaroos against Russia in 2000, and the overall men’s international record was 122‑8 by Denmark over Sweden in 2012. Australia’s 124‑6 win surpassed both the women’s and men’s World Cup scoring records.

Why it matters

The result underscores the widening gap between the top‑tier nations and emerging teams in women’s rugby league. Wales, despite the heavy defeat, displayed moments of celebration, but the scoreline highlighted the competitive disparity. For Australia, the win not only reinforced their dominance ahead of the semi‑finals but also added a new benchmark for future tournaments. The record‑breaking performance may influence discussions on tournament structures and development programmes aimed at narrowing the performance gap.

What happens next

Following the group‑stage victory, Australia advanced to the World Cup semi‑finals, where they will face the winner of the other Pool A match. Wales, having been eliminated, will conclude their World Cup campaign. The tournament organisers have not announced any immediate changes to the competition format, but the result may prompt reviews of support and investment in lower‑ranked nations.