Strange feeling: The Vegas defeat fuelling England's World Cup quest
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Backrower Jasmin Strange has declared her team can change the perception of England women's rugby league as they look to prove they belong on the big stage at the IRL Rugby League World Cup.
The most recent memory for most Australian supporters of the England women's team is the 90-4 drubbing handed out by the Jillaroos in Last Vegas last year.
The result has seen many outsiders write off the nation's World Cup hopes but internally is being used as motivation to turn heads throughout the tournament.
Jillaroos v England – Test Match
The Vegas defeat is viewed as rock-bottom for the England women's program and acted as the genesis for Strange to pledge her international allegiance to the nation.
"I was at the stadium commentating for radio," Strange told NRL.com. "I ran into some of the girls later that night and told the girls to tell the coach that I really want to play for England.
"I understand why they played the team they did over there. There were a lot of girls on that team who created the pathways for girls in England to play rugby league and it was important they were rewarded by getting to play a big game on that stage.
"This year will be different. A lot has changed and hopefully the World Cup is going to be a good campaign."
While the Jillaroos remain the benchmark, much has changed in the women's international sphere since the Las Vegas match.
The eligibility rules have evolved, allowing players to switch between nations if they qualify to play for multiple countries.
New Zealand have already benefited from this, with former Jillaroos Zahara Temara and Shannon Mato to line up for the Kiwi Ferns in Sunday's clash with Fiji.
Jasmin Strange Try
The England side has also changed considerably, with just six players from the Vegas defeat to line up in Saturday's World Cup opener against Wales in Perth.
Strange is one of five Australian-based players in the 17 and is confident the NRLW experience will serve them well.
"The fact we're almost full-time athletes [in the NRLW] is a boost," Strange said. "For the other players to see how we prep and we'll be able to help with what type of plays we run in the NRLW and the defensive systems over here. It's going to be interesting to bounce a few ideas back and forth.
"I'm really confident in the girls. I've watched them play a few of their matches before the World Cup and it's quite a different team than the one they took to Vegas.
"With a few of us NRLW girls in there going up against the NRLW girls, we know them quite well so that will be helpful."
With Australia and New Zealand the pre-tournament favourites, England have a challenging path to the knockout rounds.
After playing Wales at HBF Park on Saturday, Stuart Barrow's side will remain in Perth to prepare for next week's clash with the Jillaroos at the same venue.
They will then close out the group stage against Fetu Samoa in Wollongong in a match that will likely determine which nation progresses to the semi-final.
While her immediate focus is on Wales, Strange is also preparing to play against a number of her Roosters teammates when England take on Australia next weekend.
Roosters v Broncos – Grand Final, 2026
Jess Skinner has named seven Roosters in her squad for Friday's clash with Samoa and Strange is eager to share some inside knowledge with her new teammates.
"I'm excited to play against the Jillaroos," Strange said. "It will feel similar to playing in the NRLW but up a notch.
"I train against most of the Jillaroos every week so it's going to be a good challenge and I'm excited to play them."
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