Jillaroos to use Vegas, World Cup as launch pad in ambitious plan

The Harvey Norman Jillaroos have unveiled an ambitious set of goals as they look to capitalise on a unique opportunity to grow women's rugby league in Australia and abroad.

Fresh off Sunday's convincing victory over New Zealand in the Pacific Cup final, the Australian women's side is already planning for a historic Test against England in Las Vegas, an Ashes series and a home World Cup in 2026. 

It's a two-year runway of events the side hopes to catapult them into the upper-echelon of Australian sporting teams and take women's rugby league to the next level both domestically and abroad.

"It's an important time for our sport," Jillaroos coach Brad Donald told NRL.com. "We have Vegas then we're into State of Origin, we saw the quality of that last season, and then into another NRLW season with two extra teams. 

"We'll have a couple more international games at the end of the year and then we're into a World Cup year. We've got to make hay while the sun shines and make sure we grab every opportunity because in 2026 we want to make sure we have a wonderful World Cup here in Australia. 

"We want the Jillaroos to be the shining light of that tournament and people get to know who they are, even more than what they do now. We talked about the Matildas effect and what that World Cup did for football, we want to do exactly the same for rugby league in Australia." 

The Jillaroos spent their final week in camp for the Pacific Championships discussing their plans to take the game to the next level.

Having laid a solid foundation with the NRLW, expanded State of Origin to a three-game series and secured a place on the Vegas schedule, players and staff feel the time is right to aim high. 

With the NRLW expanding to 12 teams next season and a new broadcast deal to be negotiated ahead of the 2028 season, a fully professional competition is high on the list. 

The Jillaroos are also eyeing off a permanent high-performance facility for both the national team and grassroots players, along with the opportunity to take more games to regional areas. 

Long term, there is a plan for more players to follow the footsteps of former Australian skipper Karyn Murphy and become head coaches of NRLW clubs, while one day they hope a women's player will be named an Immortal. 

Jillaroos co-captain Ali Brigginshaw has been at the forefront of the growth of women's rugby league throughout the past decade and said next year's match in Vegas is the perfect springboard for the future.

"What's so great about women's rugby league is it hasn't been seen everywhere," Brigginshaw told NRL.com. "We're still getting new followers every time we play so when we go to Vegas there will be new people that jump on board. 

"We're the fastest growing part of rugby league so if we can see that game happen, we'll see lots of people show up at Vegas. Then I'd like to see our game be taken out to the country, out to Toowoomba and places like that. That will allow us to get more supporters on board because that's where we can grow our game."

The Jillaroos' focus isn't purely domestic, with players and staff committed to growing the game internationally. 

A number of officials were involved in the inaugural talent combine in Vegas earlier this year and they hope to unearth more players at next season's event.

The Jillaroos' clash with England is another vital step in a quest to introduce American women to rugby league and hopefully turn the USA into a powerhouse.

There is a hope that one day Australia will take on America at a sold-out Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

From there, the opportunities are endless in a country with a population of more than 330 million people and a lucrative commercial market. 

"It's a massive opportunity for not just the girls but the whole game," Donald said. "I went to Vegas last season and I saw how much interest there was in the town.

"If you add that element of the females coming to town to play the same sport the Americans witnessed last year, it's going to blow their minds, once they see the skill, the strength, speed and endurance of these athletes.

"It will be a great opportunity for us to see a whole new set of eyeballs watching the game. I know the girls are really excited about it. It was one of their asks last year when they knew we were going to take the game to Las Vegas. They want to be involved in the big events. 

"They want to be seen around Magic Round, they want to be seen in Las Vegas and they want Origin to be seen so we can pick up more supporters and more enthusiasm for the women's game and it's certainly working."