LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a stunning upset at AAMI Park in Melbourne, the Jillaroos were defeated by New Zealand, marking the end of Australia's dominance in women's rugby league.
The Kiwi Ferns, who had suffered a devastating 50-point loss in the World Cup final just a year before, exacted their revenge despite spending the majority of the match defending their own line.
This unexpected outcome has sent shockwaves through the rugby league community.
The Jillaroos had defeated their rivals by six points just two weeks prior in Townsville, with rookie Tamika Upton playing a key role with two tries.
However, this time around, the New Zealand team rewrote the script.
Jaime Chapman opened the scoring after nine minutes, replicating her impressive performance in the NRLW grand final.
Unfortunately for the Jillaroos, that would be the extent of their success.
Throughout the match, the Australian team struggled with ball control, completing only 38 percent of their sets in the first half.
To make matters worse, Upton was denied a try by the Bunker.
This loss serves as a wake-up call for the Jillaroos, who now face difficult decisions leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
One player who has emerged as a potential game-changer is Jesse Southwell from the Knights.
The young gun has been consistently impressive in the halves, and her performance may force the Jillaroos to reconsider their lineup.
The defeat to New Zealand has raised tough questions for the Australian team, and they will need to answer them in order to regain their position at the top of women's rugby league.