The format for the women is standard fare. Group A and Group B, each with four teams and they play each other once. The top two from each group progress to the semi finals.
The standard is evening out, with any nation able to call on several players from Australia's NRLW competition in a good place.
On to the first round.
Group A:
Australia 40-0 Samoa. It sounds like a one sided game, but it would have been far worse two years ago or even one. It was 28-0 at half time, but the Jillaroos struggled to have any dominance in the second half as Samoa got into a groove.
England 70-6 Wales. This is the first wowmns' world cup appearance for Wales and they are here on a learning curve. It was 40-6 at the break and the onslaught conitnued for the second half too. It was nice that Wales scored, not something they have done in their previous two encounters with England. I hope they can score some more points in their final two matches.
Group B:
PNG 58-4 France. PNG can call on NRLW players, while France has a small, weak domestic set up. Add to that PNG play with more confidence at home, so the result was a foregone conclusion. PNG went to the break 32-0 up and wen on to win comfortably but at least the scoreline was better for France in the second half.
New Zealand 18-10 Fiji. NZ are the second best rated side, playing a Fiji side at its first tournament. It could only have one outcome and ultimately did. However, the game was close throughout, with NZ scoring a late try to seal the victory. Fiji led 12-10 at half time, a late try in that half by NZ giving hope to a Kiwi side being outplayed. NZ will surely play better but they are well off Australia's level.
For video match highlights and post match interviews, simply click here.
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