The Jillaroos stamped their authority on the Women’s Rugby League World Cup, recording an imposing 88-0 victory over the Canada Ravens in their final-round clash at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
The home side piled on nine tries in both halves with hat-tricks to Queensland half Tamara Zahara, her skipper Karina Brown and also to Vanessa Foliaki, Elianna Walton highlighting the win.
A strong performance from halfback Maddie Studdon would be giving coach Brad Donald food for thought leading into the crunch stage of the tournament after a strong performance in the No.7 jersey.
Australia will meet the Ravens once again in the semi-final clash on Sunday following Cook Islands' shock 22-16 upset over England earlier in the day.
Back-rower Foliaki got things started for the Jillaroos early with Studdon providing the pinpoint cut-out pass for the 24-year-old to dive over the line.
The left-side defence of the Ravens continued to have problems seven minutes later when Studdon sent Temara over in a near identical play, before the crafty halfback turned inside for local Cronulla Sharks player Corban McGregor to go over.
A long-range team effort was finished off by Gladstone winger Chelsea Baker for the side's fourth of the afternoon.
Studdon continued her strong first half, finishing off a grubber kick from halves partner and Brothers Ipswich star Ali Brigginshaw in-goal before linking up with Temara for a double three minutes later.
Some lazy defence from the Ravens at the 20-metre restart was swooped upon by McGregor who ran 80m to score under the posts, with another four-pointer to Temara – her third for the day – setting up a huge advantage at the break.
Skipper Ruan Sims was next to go over for her first of the tournament with a charging run, and front-rower partner Walton followed it up after the break to finish off a late Brigginshaw offload to continue the onslaught.
Walton carried five defenders over for the line for her second in the 58th minute as Australia continued to enjoy a weight of possession and field position.
The Canadians – with a predominant rugby union background across the park – were struggling to keep up with the Jillaroos' speed of play, constantly pinned for being inside the 10m late in the game.
Another grubber from Studdon sent Foliaki over for a third, before utility Lavina O'Mealey split through the middle of the field to send Karina Brown over for the side's 14th of the afternoon.
A further two tries to wingers Baker and Brown on either edge set up the side's biggest margin victory in four years – eclipsing a romping 72-0 win over France in the 2013 tournament.
Walton grabbed a third with minutes remaining through another barnstorming effort, before Brown split the Ravens defence on the siren to join the hat-trick club late and ice a comfortable win.
Australian Jillaroos 88 (Tamara Zahara 3, Vanessa Foliaki 3, Elianna Walton 3, Karina Brown 3, Corban McGregor 2, Chelsea Baker 2, Ruan Sims, Maddie Studdon tries; Maddie Studdon 8 goals) defeated Canada Ravens 0 at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Halftime: Jillaroos 44-0
