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‘We don’t fear anyone’: Jillaroos rack up record score ahead of crunch NZ match

There was no complacency from the Jillaroos as they racked up their highest ever World Cup score, but things are about to get a lot more difficult.

The Jillaroos now face New Zealand in the biggest match of the World Cup. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC
The Jillaroos now face New Zealand in the biggest match of the World Cup. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC

Jillaroos young gun Tarryn Aiken says the Aussies “don’t fear anyone” after they smashed France 92-0 in the perfect tune up for their next game against arch rivals New Zealand.

Australia ran in 17 tries to nil on Monday morning (AEDT) as they racked up their highest score in a World Cup in an utterly dominant display that surpassed the 88-0 scoreline against Canada in 2017.

The defending champs limited their rivals to just 263 running metres and won the line-break count 17-0 to back up their first-up 74-0 win over the Cook Islands.

Tarryn Aiken has dominated the first two pool games for Australia. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC
Tarryn Aiken has dominated the first two pool games for Australia. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC

Aiken was brilliant as the chief playmaker, with regular halfback Ali Brigginshaw and fellow co-captains Sam Bremner and Kezie Apps rested.

The Broncos five-eighth scored a try and had a hand in plenty more before she was given an early mark with about 20 minutes to go with an eye on the crunch game with the Kiwi Ferns.

“We don’t fear anyone,” Aiken said after she claimed player of the match honours.

“It’s going to be a tough matchup (against New Zealand). We’ve been waiting for it and we’re ready for it.”

Jess Sergis bagged four tries in the rout, including three in the first half, while debutant Jaime Chapman crossed for a hat-trick of her own as her blistering speed proved too much for France.

The Aussies were up 58-0 at halftime but just fell short of the century even though winger Julia Robinson scored three tries of her own in the second half.

Jess Sergis could have finished with six or seven tries. Picture: Ashley Allen/Getty Images
Jess Sergis could have finished with six or seven tries. Picture: Ashley Allen/Getty Images

“It’s amazing. It was unreal,” Chapman said after her first match for Australia.

“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time, so I was very, very nervous.

“I was crying at the start of the game when we were singing the national anthem, so it was a very emotional day for me.”

Australia will now face New Zealand on Friday morning (AEDT) for top spot in the group, with the Kiwi Ferns picking up a comfortable 34-4 win over the Cook Islands in their second match.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/we-dont-fear-anyone-jillaroos-rack-up-record-score-ahead-of-crunch-nz-match/news-story/ff772677d38d216718716712f313935b