NRL Las Vegas 2025: Jillaroos beat England 90-4 with Tamika Upton scoring five tried
The Jillaroos have broken record after record at Allegiant Stadium, but a shocking head clash took the shine off a dominant display.
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A sickening headclash marred a shocking women’s Test match as the Jillaroos thumped England 90-4 in Las Vegas on Sunday.
The Lionesses were no match for Australia’s world champions in what was ultimately a black mark for the women’s game attempting to catch eyes in the United States.
The Jillaroos ran in a stunning 17 tries at Allegiant Stadium, with Dally M superstar Tamika Upton bagging five alone.
If the scoreline wasn’t bad enough for England, it was made even worse after bench forward Vicky Whitfield was hospitalised following a heavy collision.
Returning the ball, Whitfield collided with Australia’s Sarah Togatuki and didn’t get off the ground.
She was attended to on-field for about 10 minutes before being stretchered from the field.
“Vicky’s gone to hospital for scans, she was conscious when she left,” England coach Stuart Barrow said.
“That game was a shock for our girls. We haven’t experienced that intensity.
“We will reflect on it. I didn’t expect that today.”
The Jillaroos scored at more than a point-a-minute and went in at halftime leading 38-0.
The scoreline could have been worse, but goalkicker Tarryn Aiken only converted three of the eight first-half tries.
It was the only blip for the Jillaroos and Golden Boot winner Aiken, who controlled the game beautifully from halfback, putting in kicks that led to tries for Upton and prop Shannon Mato.
“I’m really proud to coach the girls,” Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner said.
“It will be one to remember.
“We’re grateful England wanted to play us otherwise the match may not have happened.”
Ironically, the biggest cheer of the night came with 26 seconds left in the game when England halfback Georgia Roach scored.
There was a strong contingent of English fans in the crowd thanks to the earlier Super League contest between Wigan and Warrington.
Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson made history by becoming the first women’s player to score a try at Allegiant Stadium.
The Broncos flyer was the beneficiary of some brilliant lead-up play from Brisbane teammate and fullback Upton, as she went in untouched in the left corner.
Robinson and Jess Sergis bagged hat-tricks.
Upton was dangerous through the middle, causing havoc for the retreating Lionesses’ defence as she scored a first half hat-trick of tries.
The women’s match followed a trend of blowouts after Wigan ran through Warrington and Canberra convincingly accounted for New Zealand.
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