The Rugby League World Cup campaign of Julia Robinson could be over after the Jillaroos’ star centre injured her left wrist in Australia’s 78-0 thumping of England in Perth.
The hosts ran in 15 tries to zip in a one-sided contest at HBF Park on Saturday night, reviving memories of the 90-4 bloodbath in Las Vegas last year.
Jaime Chapman scored two tries inside six minutes, while Jocelyn Kelleher, Isabelle Kelly and Abbi Church also crossed for two tries apiece.
But it was the sight of Robinson cradling her left wrist in the 20th minute that sent a big worry through the Australian camp.
She immediately knew something was wrong after attempting a tackle, and the Brisbane Broncos star was taken to hospital before the half had even finished.
“She’s getting scans done,” Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner said.
“She was in good spirits, having something to eat before she headed off to the hospital, which is very true to her.”
England captain Jodie Cunningham was also taken to hospital to have an ear injury stitched.
The huge win over England — on the back of a 40-0 victory over Samoa — locked in Australia’s semi-final spot, making their final group stage match against lowly Wales a dead rubber.
World No.3 England need to beat world No.5 Samoa to reach the semis, but the size of the loss against Australia will be a huge concern.
England’s starting line-up contained only four players who took part in the huge loss to Australia 19 months ago.
But fans could have been forgiven for thinking they were back in Sin City as the Jillaroos started the match with a bang.
Winger Chapman was involved in everything early, scoring twice in the opening six minutes.
Her second was a thing of beauty — leaping into the air and catching the high ball with her outstretched hands before touching down.
Chapman dropped a simple high ball a short time later, but she made up for it by producing a try-saving tackle to deny winger Anna Davies in the corner.
It proved to be as close as England would get.
The halftime score read 36-0 in favour of Australia and it was more of the same after the break.
Kelleher produced the biggest highlight when she chip and chased before firing off a quick pass to set up a try for Church.
Jillaroos debutant Makenzie Weale was mobbed by her teammates when she joined the try party in the 51st minute.
England beat Wales 70-6 last week so it’s scary to think what Australia will do to the Welsh when they meet.
A crowd of 13,087 was recorded for Saturday’s double-header in Perth, which also took in the England men’s 82-0 win over France, but most of those fans didn’t stay until the end of the Jillaroos’ match.
“I’m happy with the win,” Skinner said.
“I said at halftime it felt like we were playing our style of footy, which was nice to get to this week.”
