Jillaroos rake Keeley Nizza said the Jillaroos were looking forward to adding to the latest chapter in the Australia v England rivalry when the two sides face off in Perth on Saturday.
No matter the sport, whenever the two countries face off, bragging rights go on the line and that remains no different on Saturday night at HBF Park.
And despite the lopsided scoreline the last time these two sides met in Las Vegas in 2025, Nizza was expecting a competitive match up, despite expectations being high for another Jillaroos victory.
“We definitely know about the rivalry,” Nizza said.
“Last year we versed them in Las Vegas, and there was a big score line, (but) I think England are a very different team to that last (time).
“We know they'll come out with a different intensity.
“So, we are looking forward to it.
“But we always know against England, it's going to be a tough match.
“Definitely don't think there'll be a similar result, hopefully (there is), but we try not to look at the result, I think we just want to improve on our last game.
“That's probably the biggest thing as individuals is to be a lot better, and then as a team, come together and keep improving week to week.
Keeley Nizza Try
“I feel like any time you put this jersey on, whether you're playing or training, there's an expectation that comes with it internally, so I think the expectation's there anyway.
“But there's definitely been a bit more with outside looking in, but I feel like everybody in this position has high expectations of themselves.”
The Jillaroos come into the game off the back of a 40-0 win over Samoa, with the scoreline not a true representative of how tough the match was against the rising women’s rugby league nation. In their opening match, England secured a strong 70-6 win over northern rivals Wales.
Nizza was also looking forward to the Jillaroos being able to showcase some top tier women’s rugby league to Perth audiences.
The last time a number of the current Jillaroos played in the Western Australian capital was in 2020 at the NRLW Nines, with Nizza suiting up for a then star-studded St George Illawarra Dragons side that also featured Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, Tiana Penitani Gray, Kezie Apps and Shaylee Bent.
“Haven't played here since I think it was 2019, we had some Nines over here, and there's some awesome supporters that came out then.
“Hopefully, we get some back again from there and keep building.”
Match: Australia v England
Round 2 -
home Team
Australia
2nd Position
away Team
England
1st Position
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
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