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A rare Julia: History for Robinson as Jillaroos run riot

Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson etched her name in the history books with a stunning six-try haul in her team's 84-0 triumph over the PNG Orchids at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The previous record for most tries in a Test by a Jillaroo was five by Sam Bremner at the 2013 World Cup - a mark equalled by right winger Jakiya Whitfeld as Brad Donald's team clicked into top gear.

The Jillaroos opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Robinson broke the line and found Tamika Upton in support for a 6-0 lead on the back of Tarryn Aiken's conversion.

A clever grubber by No.7 Delailah Ahose earned the Orchids a line dropout but a mistake by the halfback in the ensuing set saw the opportunity go begging.

Tamika Upton Try

When Jessikah Reeves came up with an error for the Orchids it was powerhouse Jillaroos winger Robinson who made her pay after finishing off slick lead-up by Aiken, Upton and Isabelle Kelly.

Three minutes later Robinson made it a double as the Jillaroos' left edge again clicked into gear before right winger Whitfeld got in on the action in the 25th minute after the Orchids had lost Roswita Kapo to the sin bin.

Another blow for the Orchids in the 28th minute when La-Toniya Norris-Addo was forced off with a knee injury and the Jillaroos again went left to hand Robinson a hat-trick after a superb cut-out pass by Aiken.

Julia Robinson 1st Try

The Jillaroos then produced a long-range try from the halfway line with Jess Sergis delivering the final pass for Whitfeld to race away for her second try. Aiken converted for a 32-0 lead.

On the stroke of half-time Whitfeld completed her hat-trick courtesy of a well timed pass from Tiana Penitani and the Jillaroos went to the break at 36-0.

Two minutes into the second half Robinson made it four before Aiken chipped over the top for Upton to regather and score for the most spectacular try of the night.

Come the 44th minute and Penitani crossed for her first try as a Jillaroo before Kelly took off from a scrum 10 metres out from her own line and sprinted 90 metres to make it 56-0.

The tryscoring battle between the wingers continued when Whitfeld crossed for her fourth try in the 51st minute before Robinson answered straight back two minutes later with her fifth try.

Remarkably Whitfeld then took a long ball from Penitani and powered over for her fifth of the match in the 56th minute before Robinson grabbed her slice of history with her sixth try of the match.

Julia Robinson 3rd Try

With 90 seconds to play Sergis backed up to score after a long run by Yasmin Clydsdale before Kelly crossed in the dying seconds to make it 84-0, bettering the 82-0 scoreline over the Orchids at the 2022 World Cup.

The Jillaroos can secure a place in the Cup final with a win over the Kiwi Ferns in next week's heavyweight showdown in Christchurch.

The Orchids will need to beat the Kiwi Ferns in week three of the tournament if they are to avoid the relegation play-off.

Match Snapshot

  • Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott had 107 run metres by half-time and finished the night with 153 metres,
  • Sarah Togatuki entered the fray in the 20th minute for her Jillaroos debut.
  • PNG bench hooker Roswita Kapo was sin binned in the 24th minute for a professional foul.
  • Orchids skipper Elsie Albert led the way for her team with 14 runs for 93 metres while Essay Banu ran for 85 metres.
  • Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson ran for 228 metres and had 11 tackle breaks to go with her six tries.

Jakiya Whitfeld 2nd Try

  • Jillaroos lock Simaima Taufa played her 15th Test match and wore the white chevron on her jersey in honour of the achievement.
  • The Orchids side featured three players who played NRLW in 2024 - Essay Banu, Sareka Mooka and Elsie Albert.
  • The Orchids lost centre La-Toniya Norris-Addo to a knee injury with seven minutes to play in the first half.
  • Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly has scored 16 tries in 14 Test matches. She ran for 230 metres and broke 10 tackles.
  • Jillaroos halfback Tarryn Aiken came up with four try assists.
  • Orchids hooker Ua Ravu left the field for a HIA in the 63rd minute.

One of the great try savers

Play of the Game

Tamika Upton 2nd Try

What They Said

Jillaroos: Week 1

Orchids: Week 1

Acknowledgement of Country

Canberra Raiders respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.