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Australia women's national rugby league team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Australia women's national rugby league team, also known as the Australian Jillaroos, or Harvey Norman Jillaroos for sponsorship reasons,[2] represents Australia in women's rugby league. They played their first formal international in 1995 under the administration of the Australian Women's Rugby League. The AWRL affiliated with the Australian Rugby League in the late 1990s, with AWRL reports included in ARL annual reports.[3] Since the advent of the Australian Rugby League Commission in February 2012, the team has been administered by that body and the National Rugby League.

NicknameThe Jillaroos
Head coachJess Skinner
Quick facts Team information, Nickname ...
Australian Jillaroos
Badge of Australian Jillaroos team
Team information
NicknameThe Jillaroos
Governing bodyAustralian Rugby League Commission
RegionAsia-Pacific
Head coachJess Skinner
CaptainKezie Apps
Ali Brigginshaw
Most capsTahnee Norris (32)
Top try-scorerJulia Robinson (22)
Top point-scorerJulia Robinson (88)
IRL ranking 1 Steady (20 August 2026)[1]
Uniforms
First colours
Second colours
Team results
First international
 Australia 14-18 New Zealand 
(Lidcombe Oval, Sydney, 1 July 1995)
Biggest win
 Australia 92–0 France 
(York, England; 6 November 2022)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 6-50 New Zealand 
(England; 18 November 2000)
World Cup
Appearances6 (first time in 2000)
Best resultChampions (2013, 2017, 2021)
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The Australian Jillaroos are current world champions, having won the last three Women's Rugby League World Cup tournaments. Their first World Cup victory came in the fourth tournament, in 2013.[4][5][6][7] The Jillaroos won on home soil in 2017 and again in the postponed 2021 tournament held in November 2022. Appointed in February 2025, the current head coach of the Jillaroos is Jess Skinner.[8]

Matches have been broadcast on free-to-air networks since 2014 (Nines) and 2015 (Test Match).[9][10][11]

The Jillaroos squad is selected by a panel of national selectors. There are specific tournaments and matches that act as selection trials.[12] These include:

Coaches

Full internationals

The current coach of the Australian team is Jess Skinner. After coaching the team on an interim basis in early 2025, Skinner was subsequently confirmed as coach through to the World Cup in October–November 2026.[13][14] Previous coaches have included Paul Dyer, Graham Murray, and Steve Folkes.

More information Name, Span ...
NameSpanMWDLW%Ref.
Graham Willard199520020.00%[15][16]
John Taylor1996–1997510420.00%[17][18]
Mark Donkin19982200100.00%
Wayne Portlock1999–2000710614.29%[19][20][21]
Graham Arndt and
Damien Lindeburg
200110010.00%[22]
Terry Borland2002320166.67%[23]
Dave Leat2003–071050550.00%[24][25]
Karen Stuart2008–09750271.43%[26]
Graham Murray2010–111100100.00%[27]
Paul Dyer2013430175.00%
Steve Folkes2014–16310233.33%[29]
Brad Donald2017–202418170194.44%[30][31]
Jess Skinner2025–4400100.00%[8][13]
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Notes

  • Table last updated 10 Nov 2025.
  • John Taylor was head trainer in 1995. Player recollection confirmed his involvement as head coach in 1996. The 1997 NZRL Annual records Taylor as Australia's head coach during the four-match tour.[17]
  • A report in the 2001 ARL Annual Report records that Graham Arndt and Daniel Lindeburg were joint coaches at a pre-tour training camp.[22] Player recollection confirmed their involvement in Auckland where the one-off Test was played.

Nines

More information Name, Span ...
NameSpanMWDLW%Ref.
Steve Folkes2015–16620033%
Brad Donald2017–1911100191%
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Players

Current squad

The squad for the 2025 Pacific Championships was announced on 6 October 2025.[32] A revised squad, with two changes, was announced on 10 October 2025.[33]

Jersey numbers in the table reflect selections for the Pacific Cup Final versus New Zealand Kiwi Ferns

Players' ages are as at the date that the table was last updated, 9 November 2025 (after the Pacific Cup Final).

More information J#, Player ...
J# Player Age Position(s) Jillaroos NRLW Other Reps
Dbt M T G F Pts 2025 Club CM TM T G F Pts
1Tamika Upton28Fullback20238140056 Broncos24504600184 10 2
2Julia Robinson27Wing, Centre201813220088 Broncos46463200128 10
3Isabelle Kelly29Centre201720190076 Roosters5355240096 16 1 3
4Tiana Penitani Gray29Centre2019840016 Sharks3248180072 1 11 4
5Jakiya Whitfeld24Wing, Centre2023770028 Cowboys1829140056 1
6Ali Brigginshaw35Five-eighth, Lock200929723074 Broncos565613350122 20 6 1
7Jesse Southwell20Halfback20253015030 Knights404071020232 5 1
8Ellie Johnston25Prop, Second-row202531004 Sharks3348150060 3 5
9Olivia Higgins33Hooker202450000 Knights4047140056 3 2
10Jessika Elliston28Prop, Second-row202350000 Titans434860024 10 1
11Kezie Apps34Second-row, Prop20142230012 Tigers214080032 17 2 7 2
12Yasmin Clydsdale31Second-row2022131004 Knights4152140056 11
13Olivia Kernick24Lock, Second-row20221040016 Roosters4747200080 9 3 2 2
14Quincy Dodd25Hooker202451004 Sharks2745130052 5 7 7 4
15Keilee Joseph23Lock, Second-row202292008 Broncos234540016 6 5
16Jessica Sergis28Centre, Wing201914170068 Roosters36462800112 13 3 1
17Rima Butler27Prop202530000 Roosters133380032 2 2
18Sarah Togatuki28Prop, Lock202450000 Tigers274670028 1 11 4 1
19Abbi Church27Fullback, Centre202511004 Eels373780032 3 1 3
20Jocelyn Kelleher25Halfback, Five-eighth—00000 Roosters515171191267 3 3
IJKeeley Davis25Hooker201891004 Roosters335670028 10 5 1
IJMakenzie Weale23Lock, Prop—00000 Cowboys202440016 6 1
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Notes:

  • Two members of the squad have previously played for other nations:
  • Sienna Lofipo was named to play for Australia in the initial announcement on 6 October, but pledged her allegiance to Samoa and the next, day, 7 October 2025 was named in the Samoan squad.[34] Consequently, Lofipo withdrew from the Jillaroos squad.
  • On 10 October, the NRL announced two changes to the squad, with Emma Verran as well as Lofipo withdrawing. They were replaced by Abbi Church and Makenzie Weale.[33]
  • Six of the 21 squad members have played for Queensland, thirteen for New South Wales. The two players yet to play Origin, Butler and Whitfeld qualify for New South Wales.
  • On 31 October, Tamika Upton was ruled out of Round 3 of the Pacific Cup with New Zealand with a calf strain. Abbi Church has been named as her replacement for her Test Debut. Makenzie Weale withdrew from the squad for the remainder of the tournament with a pelvis injury and Newcastle hooker Olivia Higgins was called in as her replacement in the squad.[35]
  • The number of squad members with other representative credits are:
    • Indigenous All Stars 4 (Dodd, Joseph, Kernick, Upton)
    • Māori All Stars 2 (Butler, Kernick)
    • NRL All Stars: 4 (Apps, Brigginshaw, Kelly and Verran)
    • Prime Minister's XIII: 10 (including 2025 players Church, Dodd, and Weale)
    • NSW City 5 (Butler, Dodd, Penitani, Sergis, Togatuki)
    • NSW Country 5 (Apps, Davis, Johnston, Kelleher, Kelly).

Hall of Fame

In August 2024 the NRL announced the induction of six former Jillaroos players into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame. This was the first induction of women since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 2008.[36]

More information Inductee number, Player ...
Inductee
number
PlayerNational TeamState TeamClubsRef
MatchesYears
127Natalie Dwyer261995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2011, 2013NSW & QldWollongong Wildcats, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Souths Logan Magpies[37]
128Katrina Fanning241995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004NSWQueanbeyan, Gungahlin Bulls, Boomanulla[38]
129Tarsha Gale151995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000NSWBulli, South Sydney Rabbitohs[39]
130Veronica White171995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004Qld & NSWIpswich Brothers[40]
131Karyn Murphy281998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013QldIpswich Brothers, Souths Logan Magpies[41]
132Tahnee Norris331998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013NSW & QldRunaway Bay Seagulls, West Centenary, Burleigh Bears[42]
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Note: The lists of clubs in the above table is incomplete.

Competitive record

Head to head records

More information Opponent, FM ...
OpponentFMMRMWDLWin%PFPAShare
 New Zealand19952025321501746.87%52361645.92%
 Great Britain19962002830537.50%10011147.39%
 Fiji199819982200100.00%1200100.00%
New Zealand Māori20032009630350.00%9010446.39%
 Niue200320031100100.00%580100.00%
 Samoa200320253300100.00%1422684.52%
 France200820223300100.00%2240100.00%
Russia200820081100100.00%720100.00%
 England200820254400100.00%1641492.13%
 Pacific Islands200820081100100.00%32684.21%
 Cook Islands201720222200100.00%132493.55%
 Canada201720172200100.00%146696.05%
 Papua New Guinea202220242200100.00%1660100.00%
Totals19952025674202562.69%1,96988768.94%
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Notes:

  • Table last updated 10 November 2025.
  • Share is the portion of "For" points compared to the sum of "For" and "Against" points.

Results

Full internationals

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
1 Jul 1995 New Zealand
14 - 18
2 Test Series Lidcombe Oval—
8 Jul 1995 New Zealand
6 - 14
Hawker Oval, Canberra—[43]
21 Jul 1996 Great Britain
16 – 14
3 Test Series Phillip Oval, Canberra[44][45]
28 Jul 1996 Great Britain
12 – 18
Gilbert Park, Brisbane—
3 Aug 1996 Great Britain
18 – 20
Redfern Oval, Sydney[46][47][48][49]
20 Sep 1997 New Zealand
26 – 34
2 Test Series Petone Recreation Ground, Wellington—[50][51]
24 Sep 1997 New Zealand
16 – 40
Carlaw Park, Auckland—[52]
19 Sep 1998 Fiji
68 – 0
2 Test Series University of South Pacific, Suva—[53][54][55]
26 Sep 1998 Fiji
52 – 0
—[56][57]
23 Sep 1999 New Zealand
10 – 20
3 Test Series Leichhardt Oval—[58]
27 Sep 1999 New Zealand
22 – 20
Penrith Stadium[59][60]
29 Oct 1999 New Zealand
14 – 26
Ericsson Stadium Auckland—[61]
10 Nov 2000 New Zealand
6 – 10
2000 World Cup South Leeds Stadium[62][63]
14 Nov 2000 Great Britain
10 – 14
Rams Stadium, Dewsbury[64][65][66]
18 Nov 2000 New Zealand
6 – 50
Rams Stadium, Dewsbury—[50][67]
21 Nov 2000 Great Britain
0 – 4
The Jungle, Castleford[68][69]
23 Sep 2001 New Zealand
8 – 42
Test Match Carlaw Park, Auckland—[70][71]
14 Jul 2002 Great Britain
16 – 26
3 Test Series Ringrose Park, Wentworthville[72][73]
20 Jul 2002 Great Britain
14 – 10
ANZ Stadium, Brisbane—[74]
27 Jul 2002 Great Britain
14 – 5
Bruce Stadium, Canberra[75][76][77]
8 Aug 2003 New Zealand Māori
20 – 14
Test Match Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane—[78]
28 Sep 2003 New Zealand Māori
28 – 24
2003 World Cup North Harbour Stadium—[79][80]
2 Oct 2003 Niue
58 – 0
—[81]
6 Oct 2003 New Zealand
4 – 44
—[82]
8 Oct 2003 Samoa
40 – 12
—[83]
10 Oct 2003 New Zealand Māori
4 – 12
—[84]
14 Aug 2004 New Zealand
12 – 38
2 Test Series Bendigo Bank Oval, Ipswich—[85][86]
21 Aug 2004 New Zealand
20 – 30
Davies Park, Brisbane[87][88]
31 Oct 2007 New Zealand Māori
20 – 16
2 Test Series Rotorua—[89][90]
3 Nov 2007 New Zealand Māori
4 – 20
Rotorua—[91]
6 Nov 2008 France
60 – 0
2008 World Cup Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast—
8 Nov 2008 Russia
72 – 0
—
10 Nov 2008 England
22 – 4
—
12 Nov 2008 Pacific Islands
32 – 6
—
15 Nov 2008 New Zealand
0 – 34
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[92]
16 Sep 2009 New Zealand Māori
14 – 18
2009 Tour—
23 Sep 2009 New Zealand
18 – 16
Ellerslie Domain, Auckland—[93]
3 Sep 2011 Samoa
42 – 14
Test Match Apia Park, Apia—[94]
15 Oct 2011 New ZealandCancelledTest Match Gold Coast—[95]
5 Jul 2013 England
14 – 6
2013 World Cup The Tetley's Stadium, Dewsbury[96][97]
8 Jul 2013 France
72 – 0
Post Office Road, Featherstone[98]
11 Jul 2013 New Zealand
6 – 14
Fox's Biscuits Stadium, Batley[99]
14 Jul 2013 New Zealand
22 – 12
Headingley, Leeds[100]
9 Nov 2014 New Zealand
8 – 12
Test Match WIN Stadium, Wollongong[101][102][103]
3 May 2015 New Zealand
22 – 14
Anzac Test Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane—[104]
6 May 2016 New Zealand
16 – 26
Anzac Test Hunter Stadium, Newcastle—[105][106][107]
5 May 2017 New Zealand
16 – 4
Anzac Test GIO Stadium, Canberra[108]
16 Nov 2017 Cook Islands
58 – 4
2017 World Cup Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney[109]
19 Nov 2017 England
38 – 0
[110][111][112]
22 Nov 2017 Canada
88 – 0
[113][114]
26 Nov 2017 Canada
58 – 6
[115]
2 Dec 2017 New Zealand
23 – 16
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[116][117][118]
13 Oct 2018 New Zealand
26 – 24
Test Match Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland[119][120]
25 Oct 2019 New Zealand
28 – 8
Test Match WIN Stadium, Wollongong[121][122]
2 Nov 2022 Cook Islands
74 – 0
2021 World Cup York Community Stadium, York[123][124][125]
6 Nov 2022 France
92 – 0
[126][127][128]
10 Nov 2022 New Zealand
10 – 8
[129][130][131]
14 Nov 2022 Papua New Guinea
82 – 0
[132][133][134]
19 Nov 2022 New Zealand
54 – 4
Old Trafford, Manchester[135][136][137]
14 Oct 2023 New Zealand
16 – 10
2023 Pacific Championships Qld Country Bank Stadium, Townsville[138][139]
28 Oct 2023 New Zealand
6 – 12
AAMI Park, Melbourne[140][141][142]
18 Oct 2024 Papua New Guinea
84 – 0
2024 Pacific Championships Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[143][144]
27 Oct 2024 New Zealand
14 – 0
Rugby League Park, Christchurch[145][146]
10 Nov 2024 New Zealand
24 – 4
Commbank Stadium, Sydney[147][148]
1 Mar 2025 England
90 – 4
Test Match (Rugby League Las Vegas) Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas[149][150]
26 Oct 2025 Samoa
60 – 0
2025 Pacific Championships Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[151][152][153]
2 Nov 2025 New Zealand
10 – 4
Eden Park, Auckland[154][155][156]
9 Nov 2025 New Zealand
40 – 8
CommBank Stadium[157][158][159]
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Upcoming fixtures

Australia has qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be held in October-November 2026.[160][161] All three of the Jillaroo's pool games have been scheduled within a multi-match game day, albeit separate from the Kangaroos.[161][160] The Jillaroos headline double-headers in rounds one and two, and begin a triple-header in round three.[161]

More information Opponent, Game Day ...
OpponentGame DayTimeVenueRef
WeekdayDateFormatLocalAEDTGMTSponsored NameActual Name
 SamoaFriday16 Oct 2026MW8:05 PM8:05 PM9:00 AMCommBank StadiumWestern Sydney Stadium[162]
 EnglandSaturday24 Oct 2026MW5:05 PM8:05 PM9:00 AMHBF ParkPerth Rectangular Stadium[163]
 WalesSunday1 Nov 2026WMM3:45 PM3:45 PM4:45 AMCommBank StadiumWestern Sydney Stadium[164]
Potential Semi-FinalSaturday7 Nov 2026WM5:55 PM5:55 PM6:55 AMMcDonald Jones StadiumNewcastle International Sports Centre[160]
Sunday8 Nov 2026WM5:55 PM5:55 PM6:55 AMAllianz StadiumSydney Football Stadium[160]
Potential FinalSunday15 Nov 2026WM3:15 PM4:15 PM5:15 AMSuncorp StadiumLang Park, Brisbane[160]
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Other matches

Nines

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
31 Jan 2015 New Zealand
4 – 8
2015 Auckland Nines Eden Park, Auckland—
1 Feb 2015
4 – 16
—
8 – 7
[165]
6 Feb 2016
11 – 4
2016 Auckland Nines[166]
7 Feb 2016
0 – 9
[168]
7 – 21
[170]
4 Feb 2017
20 – 4
2017 Auckland Nines[172]
5 Feb 2017
8 – 0
[173]
14 – 4
—
23 Feb 2018 Samoa
26 – 4
2018 Commonwealth Championship Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe—
Fiji
24 – 0
—
24 Feb 2018 Cook Islands
14 – 8
—
Samoa
14 – 8
—
18 Oct 2019 New Zealand
22 – 8
2019 International Nines Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta[176]
19 Oct 2019 England
42 – 4
[177]
 Papua New Guinea
30 – 6
[178]
 New Zealand
15 – 17
[179]
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Records

As of 9 November 2025

Games played: 32

Points scored: 88

Tries scored: 22

Goals kicked: 31

Points scored in a match: 24

Tries scored in a match: 6

Goals kicked in a match: 11

Margins and streaks

Biggest winning margins

More information Margin, Score ...
MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
9292–0 FranceLNER Community Stadium6 Nov 2022
8888–0 CanadaSouthern Cross Group Stadium22 Nov 2017
8690–4 EnglandAllegiant Stadium1 Mar 2025
8484–0 Papua New GuineaSuncorp Stadium18 Oct 2024
8282–0 Papua New GuineaLNER Community Stadium14 Nov 2022
7474–0 Cook IslandsLNER Community Stadium2 Nov 2022
7272–0 FranceLD Nutrition Stadium8 July 2013
7272–0 RussiaSunshine Coast Stadium8 Nov 2008
6868–0 FijiNational Stadium, Suva19 Sep 1998
6060–0 FranceSunshine Coast Stadium6 Nov 2008
6060–0 SamoaSuncorp Stadium26 Oct 2025
5858–0 NiueNorth Harbour Stadium2 Oct 2003
5458–4 Cook IslandsSouthern Cross Group Stadium16 Nov 2017
5258–6 CanadaSouthern Cross Group Stadium26 Nov 2017
5252–0 FijiNational Stadium26 Sep 1998
5054–4 New ZealandOld Trafford19 Nov 2022
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Biggest losing margins

More information Margin, Score ...
MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
446–50 New ZealandOneBore Stadium18 Nov 2000
404–44 New ZealandNorth Harbour Stadium4 Oct 2003
348–42 New ZealandCarlaw Park22 Sept 2001
340–34 New ZealandSuncorp Stadium15 Nov 2008
2612–38 New ZealandNorth Ipswich Reserve14 Aug 2004
2416–40 New ZealandPetone Recreation Ground20 Sep 1997
164–20 New Zealand MāoriInternational Stadium3 Nov 2007
1016–26 New ZealandMcDonald Jones Stadium6 May 2016
1010–20 New ZealandLeichhardt Oval23 Sep 1999
1016–26 Great BritainRingrose Park, Wentworthville14 July 2002
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Most consecutive wins

More information Matches, First win ...
MatchesFirst winLast winDaysEndedDays
145 May 201714 Oct 20236 years, 162 days28 Oct 20236 years, 176 days
718 Oct 20249 Nov 20251 year, 22 daysCurrent1 year, 328 days
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Most consecutive losses

More information Matches, First loss ...
MatchesFirst lossLast lossDaysEndedDays
729 Oct 199914 Jul 20022 years, 259 days20 Jul 20022 years, 265 days
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Individual awards

Since 2015 a Female Player of the Year award has been included in the Dally M Awards.

More information Year, Player ...
Close
  1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia the interstate match was postponed from June to November, after the presentation of the award in October
  2. The award for the 2021 Season, which was held between 27 February and 10 April 2022, was tied with duel winners announced.
  3. Upton played for Australia in October, after the presentation of the award in late September

Golden Boot

Since 2018 an International Female Player of the Year award has been included in the International Rugby League Golden Boot Award.

More information Year, Player ...
YearPlayerRep TeamsNRLW ClubReferences
2018Isabelle Kelly Jillaroos NSW Sydney Roosters[193]
2019Jessica Sergis Jillaroos NSW St George-Illawarra Dragons[194]
2020Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia[a]
2021
2022Raecene McGregor Kiwi Ferns Sydney Roosters[195]
2023Georgia Hale Kiwi Ferns [b] Gold Coast Titans[196]
2024Tarryn Aiken Jillaroos QLD Sydney Roosters[197]
2025Julia Robinson Jillaroos QLD Brisbane Broncos[198]
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IRL Rankings

More information Rank, Change ...
Official rankings as of August 2026
RankChangeTeamPts %
1 Steady Australia100
2 Steady New Zealand64
3 Steady England40
4 Steady France25
5 Steady Samoa22
6 Steady Papua New Guinea19
7 Increase 6 Canada19
8 Steady Ireland18
9 Decrease 2 Wales17
10 Steady Nigeria16
11 Decrease 2 Cook Islands15
12 Steady Fiji13
13 Increase 2 Tonga12
14 Increase 2 United States12
15 Decrease 4 Greece11
16 Decrease 2 Netherlands10
17 Increase 3 Scotland8
18 Decrease 1 Serbia4
19 Decrease 1 Kenya4
20 Decrease 1 Ghana4
21 Increase 2 Brazil3
22 Increase 2 Jamaica3
23 Decrease 2 Italy2
24 Decrease 2 Philippines2
25 Increase 1 Lebanon2
26 Decrease 1 Uganda1
27 Steady Malta1
28 Steady Turkey1
Complete rankings at
www.internationalrugbyleague.com
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See also

Men

Women's Governance and History

Women's Teams

Women's Competitions

Notes

  1. The interstate match was postponed to November, which was after the presentation of the awards in October
  2. Hale represented the Kiwi Ferns in the 2023 Pacific Championships

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks