LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
England's women's rugby league team faced a heavy defeat at the hands of Australia in Las Vegas, with captain Jodie Cunningham expressing her disappointment at the result.
She acknowledged the weight of the loss, stating that she does not want to do a "disservice to future generations" of women's rugby league players.
The team conceded 17 tries in the match, with Australia's Tamika Upton scoring five tries and players like Julie Robinson and Jess Sergis grabbing hat-tricks.
This defeat highlighted the gap between the full-time environment in the Women's National Rugby League (WNRL) and in England, with the disparity in development evident.
Despite the criticism and abuse the England team faced on social media following the loss, reigning Woman of Steel Georgie Duggar spoke out against the backlash, emphasizing that it was not due to lack of effort.
Cunningham reflected on the loss, describing it as "damaging" and feeling the pressure of representing the "future of every little girl" involved in the sport.
She highlighted the need for increased investment in women's rugby league in England in order to catch up with other nations.
The defeat to Australia served as a wake-up call for England, prompting them to re-evaluate their approach and make improvements.
With the World Cup on the horizon, Cunningham and her team are focused on regrouping and enhancing their performance.
The loss to Australia may have been a setback, but it also revealed areas for growth and emphasized the importance of continued development in women's rugby league in England.
Cunningham's dedication to the sport and her desire to pave the way for future generations of female players drive her determination to bounce back from the defeat and strive towards success in the upcoming World Cup.