England's women experienced a painful repeat in their Rugby League World Cup journey, suffering a 78-0 defeat to Australia on a warm evening in Perth. This loss follows a disheartening 90-4 defeat in Las Vegas in March 2025, and despite hopes of improvement with a dynamic new squad, the match revealed significant gaps in experience and execution.

The game began poorly for England, who made two critical errors during the kick-off, leading to an early onslaught from the seasoned Australian side. Head coach Stuart Barrow expressed disappointment but noted a different atmosphere compared to the previous defeat, highlighting the team's focus on youth development.

Key points from Barrow’s post-match reflections include:

• Emphasis on nurturing young talent, with 11 players aged 23 or under in his 17-player squad.
• The strategic shift following the DiSE programme initiation in 2019, aimed at developing players post-high school.
• A long-term vision for the 2030 World Cup, aiming to build experience for younger players.

In contrast, Australia's squad boasted an average age of nearly 28, with only two players under 25. The seasoned professionals showcased their speed and skill, overwhelming England, who only had three NRLW players and a majority with full-time jobs outside of rugby.

Barrow acknowledged the stark difference in competition levels, stating that when Australia gets momentum, they become nearly unbeatable. Despite the scoreline, he noted that the younger players would gain invaluable experience, contributing to their growth and future potential in the sport.