Australia thrash Wales 124-6 in record Rugby League World Cup win

Australia beat Wales 124-6 in Sydney, setting records for the biggest score in a Rugby League World Cup match and the largest victory margin in women’s international rugby league.

The Jillaroos scored 21 tries, including six by Jaime Chapman, as they surpassed their previous World Cup record of 92-0 against France in 2022. Their 60-0 half-time lead was the biggest in any men’s or women’s World Cup match. Chapman’s final try, in the last minute, took Australia past Denmark’s men’s international record score of 122, set against Sweden in 2012.

The 118-point margin was a women’s international record. France’s men still hold the overall record for a victory margin, with a 120-0 win over Serbia in 2003.

Wales, making their first World Cup appearance, scored through Paige Travis when they were 100 points behind. Captain Bethan Dainton said the team wanted to “create a legacy back home for young girls coming through”, adding that she was proud that no one had given up despite the results.

The Welsh side had already lost 70-6 to England and 76-0 to Samoa. Their World Cup debut came after playing their first Test in 2021; the match against Australia was their 16th fixture and their first against the Jillaroos.