Jillaroos intent on showing no mercy against Wales

Morgan Reinwald |

The Jillaroos have yet to concede a point in posting two crushing World Cup victories.
The Jillaroos have yet to concede a point in posting two crushing World Cup victories.

The Jillaroos’ next mission will put Wales in the crosshairs a week on from their no-mercy thrashing of England in the Rugby League World Cup

The Australian women’s team thrashed Samoa 40-0 in their opener and followed up by crushing England 78-0 at the weekend.

Understandably, bookmakers expect it will be carnage for the Welsh on Sunday after they were belted by both the aforementioned teams.

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The Jillaroos ran riot against England, scoring 15 tries with Taryn Aiken among 11 tryscorers. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

England beat their UK cousins 70-6 before Samoa’s own 76-0 picnic.

The Jillaroos are promising no let up after touching down in Sydney intent on another World Cup whitewash.

Coach Jess Skinner has rotated some of her Australian squad, resting players and giving others a chance to shine before the semi-finals and the opportunity isn’t lost on those getting a chance to wear the green and gold guernsey.

“It’s something you dream of as a kid,” Jesse Southwell said at training on Wednesday.

The Broncos playmaker will start at five-eighth in place of Jocelyn Kelleher.

“This will be my first time in a World Cup, it’s so amazing and definitely a pinch me moment,” Southwell added.

Raiders back Sheridan Gallagher will also slot into the Jillaroos extended squad to face Wales this weekend after being called up for national duty, following an injury to star back Julia Robinson.

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Wales struggled to contain Samoa as they were thumped in their last outing. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Robinson was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a dislocated wrist in the win against England.

While there was no fracture, further scans determined ligament damage that has forced her onto the sidelines.

Forward Keilee Joseph is ready to seize any chance she gets.

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Keilee Joseph scores against Samoa in the Jillaroos’ World Cup opener. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

“(I’m) doing it for my family and doing it in front of my family to make them proud,” Joseph said.

“I started playing when I was 11, and that was on the back of my mum pushing me into playing it.

“Wherever they need me, I’ll be there.”

Jillaroos squad: Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Isabelle Kelly, Jessica Sergis, Abbi Church, Jesse Southwell, Tarryn Aiken, Ellie Johnston, Quincy Dodd, Makenzie Weale, Kezie Apps, Sariah Paki, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Keilee Joseph, Sarah Togatuki, Tiana Penitani Gray, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Higgins, Millie Elliott, Jocelyn Kelleher, Sheridan Gallagher

AAP