Australia's World Cup hopefuls audition against PNG

Jada Taylor

Jada Taylor's hat-trick powered Australia to a 66-6 win over Papua New Guinea in Saturday's women's Prime Minister's XIII match in Port Moresby.

Australia scored 12 tries to one at Santos National Football Stadium, setting the fixture's record winning margin.

Josephine Howard's try was PNG's first in three years; it briefly levelled the score at 6-6 after Taylor opened scoring inside five minutes.

Taylor, a club fullback, played on the wing and impressed alongside Kasey Reh, Tahlia O'Brien, Taneka Todhunter and Tayla Preston.

Their performances offered an audition before Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup later this month.

PNG's second-tier players have improved as the Santos Cup national women's competition has grown.

Orchids coach Craig Sandercock, whose Wests Tigers reached their first NRLW finals this year, could assess emerging talent.

PNG had 37 per cent possession, completed 85 per cent of its sets and tired late in both halves despite determined defence.

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