Rugby League World Cup: Jillaroos smash New Zealand to secure famous win

Ali Brigginshaw heard all the talk in the lead up to the World Cup. Now she has a message for those who questioned her after leading the Jillaroos to glory.

The Aussies celebrate a try.

Ali Brigginshaw led the Jillaroos to a World Cup win at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday night and then promptly declared she wasn’t done yet.

Brigginshaw, at 32, was named player of the match after inspiring an opening half assault from the Australians that set up a 54-4 win over New Zealand.

Within minutes of the full-time siren sounding, she made it clear that she had her sights set on France in three years’ time.

“All the people who said I am too old, I am still here and I am going to France,” Brigginshaw declared.

“I don’t think I want to put a [date] on when I finish playing. I will be the decider of when I stop. I am going to keep going. I set my sights on France so let’s go.

“It has probably been a challenging year going in and out of form. I will admit that. When I have the support of the coaching staff and the girls, no matter what anyone says the girls believe in me.”

The Jillaroos after winning the World Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Brigginshaw’s age had become the butt of good-hearted jibes from her teammates during the week when Australian players were asked about whether this would be the final fling for some of them.

She played more like spring chicken than mother hen at Old Trafford, showing the range of passing and kicking that has made her the pre-eminent player in the women’s game for the past decade.

It was Brigginshaw’s kick that sat up perfectly for Julia Robinson in the first half. Her inside ball sent Emma Tonagato away early in the second stanza.

Even when she wasn’t getting the try assist, she was in the thick of it - she put Kezie Apps through a hole in the lead up to Jessica Sergis’s second try later in the second half.

With the game well and truly beyond doubt, others stepped up. Sergis and centre partner Isabella Kelly both scored doubles. Tarryn Aitken had three try assists of her own as the Jillaroos ran riot.

Evania Pelite celebrates with teammates after another Australian try. Picture: Getty Images

The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for the one New Zealand try, scored by Madison Bartlett in the 64th minute.

Normal service quickly resumed as Kennedy Cherrington changed onto a pass from Lauren Brown and crashed over, celebrating by mimicking the renowned goal celebration of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Aitken and Cherrington were at it again three minutes later - Aitken’s chip kick was grabbed by Kelly and she sent Cherrington away. There was still time for Evania Pelite to swat aside New Zealand defenders and grab herself a try.

Ali Brigginshaw has her sights set on France in three years’ time. Picture: Getty Images

It was the most emphatic of victories. Just over a week ago, the Jillaroos scraped past New Zealand by two points. There was nothing close about this result as the onslaught began in the fifth minute and didn’t stop.

Brigginshaw was a member of the Jillaroos side that won the World Cup a decade ago and they have now won three in a row, matching New Zealand’s trifecta of victories.

“The trophy has grown a little bit,” Brigginshaw said when asked about her memories of lifting the trophy 10 years ago.

“I think it makes you resilient going through those times. We play women’s sport and it seems to be quite challenging regularly. We have no idea what next year looks like.”

Originally published as Rugby League World Cup: Jillaroos smash New Zealand to secure famous win