2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup

The 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup was the fifth staging of the Women's Rugby League World Cup and was held in Australia between 16 November and 2 December 2017. Pool and semi-final matches was held at Southern Cross Group Stadium in Sydney, with the final held at Brisbane Stadium. The final was played as a double-header with the men's final.^[1][2]

2017 (2017) Women's Rugby League World Cup  ()
Number of teams	6
Host country	Australia
Winner	Australia (2nd title)
Runner-up	New Zealand
Matches played	12
Points scored	588 (49 per match)
Tries scored	117 (9.75 per match)
Top scorer	Honey Hireme (52)
Top try scorer	Honey Hireme (13)
Tournaments  < 2013 2021 >

Teams

Team	Nickname	Coach	Captain
Australia	Jillaroos	Brad Donald	Renae Kunst
Canada	Ravens	Mike Castle	Mandy Marchak
Cook Islands	Moana	Ian Bourke
England	Lionesses	Chris Chapman	Andrea Dobson
New Zealand	Kiwi Ferns	Tony Benson	Laura Mariu
Papua New Guinea	Orchids^[3]	Dennis Miall	Cathy Neap

Qualifying

Five teams (Australia, New Zealand, England, Papua New Guinea, and Canada) qualified automatically for the World Cup.

A round-robin tournament featuring the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga was to decide the sixth and final team.^[4] However, the Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga withdrew at short notice due to various logistical issues; therefore, the tournament was scratched, and the Cook Islands qualified automatically.^[5]

Pre-tournament matches

Before the World Cup it was announced that France would host England in two tests in Perpignan, and Papua New Guinea would host Australia in Port Moresby.^[6][7]

21 June 2017

France	16 – 26	England

Stade de la Mer, Perpignan^[8]

24 June 2017

France	08 – 14	England

Stade de la Mer, Perpignan^[9]

23 September 2017

Papua New Guinea	04 – 42	Australia

National Football Stadium, Port Moresby^[10]

6 October 2017

Canada	26 – 20	Corrimal Cougars

King George Park, Richmond, British Columbia^[11]

8 October 2017

Canada	18 – 20	Corrimal Cougars

King George Park, Richmond, British Columbia^[12]

20 October 2017

Far North Queensland	30 – 60	Papua New Guinea

Billy Slater Oval, Callendar Park, Innisfail, Queensland^[13]

4 November 2017

New Zealand	32 – 12	New Zealand Māori Wahine Toa

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton^[14]

10 November 2017

Queensland Nga Hau e Wha Māori	38 – 12	Canada

Owen Park, Southport, Queensland

Squads

Main article: 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup squads

Venues

All the matches were played at Endeavour Field (Southern Cross Group Stadium) in Sydney, with the exception of the final which was played in the larger Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane.

Brisbane	Sydney
Brisbane Stadium	Endeavour Field
Capacity: 52,500	Capacity: 22,000
Brisbane   Sydney

Pool stage

The two pools feature three teams each. The top two teams in each pool will qualify for the semi-finals. Pool play will involve a round robin with an additional inter-pool game for each team so all teams will play three pool games.

Key to colours in pool tables
Advance to the semi-finals

Pool A

Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Australia	3	3	0	0	184	4	+180	6
England	3	1	0	2	52	68	-16	2
Cook Islands	3	1	0	2	26	150	-124	2

Australia v. Cook Islands

16 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

Australia	58 – 4	Cook Islands
Tries: Caitlyn Moran (6', 78') 2 Brittany Breayley (11') 1 Karina Brown (15') 1 Ali Brigginshaw (21') 1 Vanessa Foliaki (25') 1 Talesha Quinn (32') 1 Isabelle Kelly (36') 1 Nakia Davis-Welsh (49') 1 Meg Ward (53') 1 Lavina O'Mealey (57') 1 Goals: Maddie Studdon 4 (38', 50', 55', 79') Caitlyn Moran 3 (16', 22', 26')	1st: 36 – 0 2nd: 22 – 4 Report	Tries: 1 (74') Chantelle Inangaro Schofield

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Antoinette Watts

Australia v. England

19 November 2017 13:45 AEDT (UTC+11)

Australia	38 – 0	England
Tries: Meg Ward (19', 64') 2 Isabell Kelly (7') 1 Nakia Davis-Welsh (12') 1 Chelsea Baker (22') 1 Elianna Walton (29') 1 Kezie Apps (44') 1 Caitlyn Moran (61') 1 Goals: Chelsea Baker 2 (13', 30') Caitlyn Moran 1 ('62)	1st: 28 – 0 2nd: 10 – 0 Report

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Todd Smith

England v. Cook Islands

22 November 2017 13:45 AEDT (UTC+11)

England	16 – 22	Cook Islands
Tries: Emma Slowe (47') 1 Amy Hardcastle (54') 1 Kayleigh Bulman (76') 1 Goals: Claire Garner 2 (48', 56')	1st: 0 – 16 2nd: 16 – 6 Report	Tries: 1 (2') Beniamina Koiatu 1 (30') Katelyn Arona 1 (34') Cecelia Strickland 1 (80') Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate Goals: 3 Chantelle Inangaro Schofield (31', 35', 80')

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Jake Sutherland

Pool B

Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
New Zealand	3	3	0	0	164	4	+160	6
Canada	3	1	0	2	26	146	-120	2
Papua New Guinea	3	0	0	3	16	96	-80	0

New Zealand v. Canada

16 November 2017 13:45 AEDT (UTC+11)

New Zealand	50 – 4	Canada
Tries: Honey Hireme (4', 37') 2 Lilieta Maumau (49', 73') 2 Teuila Fotu-Moala (56', 66') 2 Atawhai Tupaea (16') 1 Krystal Murray (52') 1 Apii Nicholls-Pualau (60') 1 Goals: Kimiora Nati 7 (17', 38', 50', 53', 61', 67', 74')	1st: 16 – 4 2nd: 34– 0 Report	Tries: 1 (12') Megan Pakulis

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Jake Sutherland

Papua New Guinea v. Canada

19 November 2017 18:30 AEDT (UTC+11)

Papua New Guinea	8 – 22	Canada
Tries: Christie Bulhage (11') 1 Martha Karl (44') 1	1st: 4 – 10 2nd: 4 – 12 Report	Tries: 3 (25', 29', 76') Natasha Smith 1 (59') Sabrina McDaid Goals: 2 Irene Patrinos (26', 77') 1 Sabrina McDaid (60')

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Joey Butler

New Zealand v. Papua New Guinea

22 November 2017 18:30 AEDT (UTC+11)

New Zealand	38 – 0	Papua New Guinea
Tries: Amber Kani (48', 76') 2 Luisa Gago (5') 1 Raecene McGregor (10') 1 Hilda Peters (44') 1 Maitua Feterika (51') 1 Atawhai Tupaea (57') 1 Racquel Anderson (63') 1 Annetta Nuuausala (71') 1 Goals: Racquel Anderson 1 (52')	1st: 8 – 0 2nd: 30 – 0 Report

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Tyson Brough

Inter-pool matches

England v. Papua New Guinea

16 November 2017 18:30 AEDT (UTC+11)

England	36 – 8	Papua New Guinea
Tries: Charlotte Booth (39', 73') 2 Shona Hoyle (11') 1 Amy Hardcastle (28') 1 Tara-Jane Stanley (35') 1 Danielle Bound (59') 1 Beth Sutcliffe (79') 1 Goals: Tara-Jane Stanley 4 (13', 60', 74', 80')	1st: 18 – 8 2nd: 18 – 0 Report	Tries: 1 (6') Naomi Kaupa 1 (20') Anne Oiufa

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Tyson Brough

New Zealand v. Cook Islands

19 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

New Zealand	76 – 0	Cook Islands
Tries: Honey Hireme (9', 30', 35', 44', 51', 69') 6 Shontelle Woodman (24', 32') 2 Krystal Murray (27', 76') 2 Raecene McGregor (54', 57') 2 Lilieta Maumau (19') 1 Nita Maynard (62') 1 Goals: Kimiora Nati 10 (20', 28', 31', 34', 36', 46', 56', 63', 71', 77')	1st: 38 – 0 2nd: 38 – 0 Report

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Bianca Zietsman

Australia v. Canada

22 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

Australia	88 – 0	Canada
Tries: Vanessa Foliaki (3', 53', 62') 3 Zahara Temara (10', 26', 33') 3 Elianna Walton (58', 58', 76') 3 Karina Brown (65', 71', 79') 3 Corban McGregor (15', 30') 2 Chelsea Baker (21', 68') 2 Maddie Stutton (23') 1 Ruan Sims (38') 1 Goals: Maddie Studdon 8 (16', 22', 31', 39', 47', 60', 69', 77')	1st: 44 – 0 2nd: 44 – 0 Report

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Joey Butler

Knockout stage

	Semifinals					Finals
	A1	Australia	58
	B2	Canada	6
						A1	Australia	23
						B1	New Zealand	16
	B1	New Zealand	52
	A2	England	4

Semi-finals

26 November 2017 13:45 AEDT (UTC+11)

New Zealand	52 – 4	England
Tries: Honey Hireme (46', 57', 78') 3 Krystal Murray (16', 63') 2 Maitua Feterika (2') 1 Shontelle Woodman (6') 1 Teuila Fotu-Moala (51') 1 Hilda Peters (67') 1 Lilieta Maumau (70') 1 Laura Mariu (80') 1 Goals: Kimiora Nati 4 (17', 52', 64', 71')	1st: 14 – 4 2nd: 38 – 0 Report	Tries: 1 (22') Tara-Jane Stanley

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Todd Smith

---

26 November 2017 16:00 AEDT (UTC+11)

Australia	58 – 6	Canada
Tries: Ali Brigginshaw (2', 40') 2 Steph Hancock (6', 68') 2 Isabelle Kelly (9', 21') 2 Karina Brown (18', 29') 2 Talesha Quinn (37') 1 Ruan Sims (57') 1 Nakia Davis-Welsh (61') 1 Goals: Caitlyn Moran 7 (3', 7', 23', 38', 40', 58', 70')	1st: 42 – 0 2nd: 16 – 6 Report	Tries: 1 (48') Natasha Smith Goals: 1 Irene Patrinos (49')

Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney Referee: Adam Gee

Final: Australia v New Zealand

Main article: 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup Final

2 December 2017 15:45 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	23 – 16	New Zealand
Tries: Isabelle Kelly (8' 53') 2 Caitlin Moran (36') 1 Elianna Walton (57') 1 Goals: Caitlin Moran 3/4 (9', 37', 58') Field Goals: Caitlin Moran (80') 1	1st: 12 – 10 2nd: 11 – 6 Report	Tries: 2 (12' 20') Honey Hireme 1 (69') Raecene McGregor Goals: 2/3 Kimiora Nati (14', 70')

Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane Referee: Adam Gee

Try scorers

13

•   Honey Hireme

6

•   Karina Brown
•   Isabelle Kelly

5

•   Krystal Murray
•   Elianna Walton

4

•   Vanessa Foliaki
•   Lilieta Maumau
•   Natasha Smith
•   Caitlyn Moran
•   Raecene McGregor

3

•   Chelsea Baker
•   Ali Brigginshaw
•   Nakia Davis-Welsh
•   Teuila Fotu-Moala
•   Zahara Temara
•   Meg Ward
•   Shontelle Woodman

2

•   Charlotte Booth
•   Matiua Feterika
•   Steph Hancock
•   Amy Hardcastle
•   Amber Kani
•   Corban McGregor
•   Hilda Peters
•   Talesha Quinn
•   Ruan Sims
•   Tara-Jane Stanley
•   Atawhai Tupaea

1

•   Racquel Anderson
•   Kezie Apps
•   Katelyn Arona
•   Danielle Bound
•   Brittany Breayley
•   Christie Bulhage
•   Kayleigh Bulman
•   Luisa Gago
•   Shona Hoyle
•   Chantelle Inangaro Schofield
•   Martha Karl
•   Naomi Kaupa
•   Beniamina Koiatu
•   Laura Mariu
•   Nita Maynard
•   Sabrina McDaid
•   Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate
•   Apii Nicholls-Pualau
•   Annetta Nuuausala
•   Anne Oiufa
•   Lavina O'Mealey
•   Megan Pakulis
•   Emma Slowe
•   Cecelia Strickland
•   Maddie Studdon
•   Beth Sutcliffe

Broadcasting

Country	Broadcaster	Matches
Australia	Seven Network^[15]	All 12 matches live
New Zealand	Sky Sport^[16]	All 12 matches live
Papua New Guinea	EMTV^[17]	All 12 matches live

See also

•  Sports portal

• Women's rugby league

References

1. "Sydney to host historic Women's World Cup in 2017". NRL.com. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
2. "Sport: Cooks women upset despite Rugby League World Cup spot". RNZ. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
3. Sukina, Fidelis (15 August 2017). "PNGRFL names Orchids side". Post Courier.
4. "Women's World Cup Qualifier". asiapacificrl.com. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
5. Mascord, Steve (16 October 2016). "The 2017 women's rugby league World Cup farcical 'qualifying tournament'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
6. "England Women squad named for tour to France". RUGBY-LEAGUE.com. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
7. "HARVEY NORMAN JILLAROOS TO JOIN PRIME MINISTER'S XIII FOR HISTORIC PNG MATCH". rlwc2017.com. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
8. "REPORT FRANCE WOMEN 16-26 ENGLAND WOMEN". RUGBY-LEAGUE.com.
9. "Report France Women 8-14 England Women". RUGBY-LEAGUE.com.
10. "Jillaroos overpower PNG Orchids in Port Moresby". asiapacificrl.com. 23 September 2017.
11. Clarkstone, Julian (10 October 2017). "Canada Ravens Win Historic First Match". Canada Rugby League. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
12. Davidson, Neil (14 November 2017). "Canada Ravens learning quickly ahead of Women's Rugby League World Cup debut". Toronto Star. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
13. "PNG Orchids v FNQ Women's Rugby League @ Innisfail 20.10.17". YouTube. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
14. "KIWI FERNS PAST RESULTS". New Zealand Rugby League. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
15. Eoin Connolly (8 April 2016). "Channel Seven wins Rugby League World Cup TV rights". Sportspromedia.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
16. "SKY SPORT SECURES BROADCAST RIGHTS TO WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2017". rlwc2017.com. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
17. "EMTV SECURES BROADCAST RIGHTS TO WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2017". rlwc2017.com. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.

External links

• Official website