Australia's dominance looms over the women's Rugby League World Cup
Australia's national women's rugby league team, the Jillaroos, enters the World Cup as the heavy favorite following a period of unprecedented dominance. The tournament highlights the rapid professionalization and growth of the women's game since 2017.
Why it matters
The growth of women's sports leagues reflects broader cultural shifts in gender equality and professional sports investment.
Australia is the hot favourite to win a third straight World Cup. ( Getty Images: Cameron Spencer )
Link copied Share Share article Almost a decade ago, the women's Rugby League World Cup final was the last day before everything changed.
Australia's cracking 23-16 win over New Zealand in 2017 didn't just deliver the team its first-ever World Cup final victory on home soil; it was the last major match before the women's game was transformed forever.
The following season, the interstate series moved under the NRL banner, the first NRLW season kicked off, and women's rugby league began to take giant strides.
Australia's 2017 World Cup win was the last game before the women's game changed forever. ( Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe )
A few players from that watershed moment are still around for this year's Rugby League World Cup, which begins tomorrow in Parramatta, when Australia plays Samoa.
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