Old rivals England and Australia have their sights on writing their own chapters of history in the upcoming Las Vegas women’s internarional.
The March 1 meeting at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, is the first meeting between the sides since the 2017 Rugby League World Cup group stage, where the Jillaroos triumphed 38-0 in Sydney.
The clash effectively serves as the chief support event in Vegas, sandwiched between the two men’s NRL games, and England head coach Stuart Barrow is under no illusions about what it means for the team.
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“This fixture is huge for women’s rugby league and it’s finally putting us on the platform that the girls deserve to be on, on both sides of the world,” Barrow told rugby-league.com.
“There’s no greater feeling than coaching your country and then to coach your country against the world champions on such a huge stage – it’s massive.
“If I can play my small part in creating an atmosphere and an environment where the girls can thrive and perform to their best, it makes me really proud to do that.”
Barrow, who will be assisted by St Helens’ 2021 Women’s Super League and Women’s Challenge Cup double-winning head coach Dec Hardmam, has named two uncapped players in his 20-strong squad in York Valkyrie prop Jas Bell and 18-year-old Wigan Warriors half Jenna Foubister.
However, the decision to leave out long-serving second row Emily Rudge, who was replaced as England captain by Saints team-mate Jodie Cunningham last year, has proven a controversial one.
Australia’s build-up has not exactly run smoothly either and they will go into the game under the interim stewardship of Jess Skinner.
The Women’s Indigenous All Stars coach was elevated from assistant following the departure of Brad Douglas under a cloud – an announcement which was buried at the bottom of the release confirming the Jillaroos’ squad for Vegas.
Nevertheless, Skinner is delighted to be taking the role as part of the latest step in a trailblazing career.
“Both Maori and Indigenous women in our female spaces are underrepresented,” Skinner, who has made no secret of her desire to earn the job on a full-time basis said.
“They’re small minorities in the group and we’re all working hard to make sure we have representation not just across the NRLW but in the international game as well.
“This space gives us a really good preparation to go into the elite space and it’s important for our staff as well as the players.”
