Seventy points to six isn't just a win. It's a statement of intent.
When England met tournament debutants Wales in their opening Group A match of the Women's Rugby League World Cup in Perth, the gulf in major tournament experience quickly became glaring. Yet, the scoreline doesn't tell the entire story of how the game started.
Wales didn't back down early. In fact, they showed grit during the opening exchanges, with Paige Travis even crossing the try line to put points on the board. For a brief moment, the tournament newcomers threatened to disrupt expectations. But tournament rugby is unforgiving. Once England settled their nerves, the floodgates swung wide open.
Connie Boyd and Anna Davies put on a masterclass, each grabbing sensational hat-tricks that ripped the Welsh defense apart. England crossed the try line 13 times over the course of the eighty minutes. Seven of those tries came before the halftime whistle blew, leaving the scoreboard reading 40-6 and effectively ending any hopes of a Welsh comeback.
One of the standout moments of the rout featured Amelia Brown taking full advantage of a fortunate bounce near her own try line following a Welsh kick. She turned defense into attack instantly, sprinting an incredible 109 metres down the pitch to score an unforgettable individual try. Plays like that break a team's spirit, and Wales struggled to recover their defensive shape afterward.
Despite the heavy defeat, Welsh captain Bethan Dainton pointed out that the final numbers didn't entirely mirror the gritty effort her side put in during patches of the contest. Lapses in concentration against an elite side like England will always get punished brutally. You simply cannot give world-class back-rows and half-backs an inch of space.
For England, teenage half-back Isabel Rowe pulled the strings with remarkable composure, earning high praise from veteran captain Jodie Cunningham after the match. Rowe controlled the tempo, kept the team moving forward, and added nine successful goals with her boot.
Job one is officially complete for the Lionesses. But the real tests lie ahead in this World Cup campaign, and sterner defensive walls await them as the tournament progresses.
Keep an eye on how England adapts when they face powerhouse Australia next week. That fixture will truly measure whether the Lionesses are ready to lift the trophy.
