Jillaroos star Mahalia Murphy has described the upcoming Test against England at Allegiant Stadium as a “statement game” for women’s rugby league as she prepares for a return to Las Vegas.
Murphy has been named in Australia’s 21-player squad for the historic March 1 Test, which will be played alongside a Super League match – Wigan v Warrington – and two NRL fixtures – Raiders v Warriors and Panthers v Sharks.
While it will be the first time the Jillaroos have played in the United States, running out in Las Vegas will be a familiar feeling for Murphy, who represented Australia in the World Rugby Sevens tournament in 2017.
“I’ve been there for the Aussie sevens team, but this time for league now, so it’s a really cool opportunity,” Murphy said.
“I think it's a massive game. It’s a game to make a statement for our own code over there, as well.”
Australia has not played England since the 2017 World Cup and Murphy, who debuted for the Jillaroos in 2015 before switching codes, said the Test was chance for the world champions to confirm their standing as one the game’s best teams.
“We’ve got a great bunch of girls, who we had in the Pac Champs, so it's really exciting that we get to go over to Las Vegas and create history and to be able to represent the country.
“It’s going to be a massive week over there and I'm pretty stoked to be a part of it.”
The Vegas Test will be televised on America’s Fox Sports in the prime-time slot of 7:15pm (Pacific time), exposing the women's code to millions across the country.
Jillaroos prop Shannon Mato is excited about the opportunity to showcase rugby league on an international scale in foreign territory.
“I'm excited, it's another opportunity for us to showcase rugby league, I think that’s the best thing, we want to be the best sport in the world, and that's what we’re going for.”
Murphy and Mato will join an experienced Jillaroos squad for the trip to Vegas after a strong first hit-out for the year at last weekend’s All Stars clash, along with Trish Hina medal winner Keilee Joseph, hooker Quincy Dodd and second-rower Olivia Kernick.
With the shortened schedule of the women's competition, the All Stars clash was the first and only hit-out for 2025 for the selected Jillaroos players travelling to Las Vegas next week.
Murphy starred in the last gasp 20-18 win by the Indigenous All Stars against the Mato-led Māori Ferns, which highlighted the depth of talent through the women’s pathways as young stars such as Lailani Montgomery and Ella Koster shone.
Dodd co-captained the Indigenous All Stars with veteran prop Tallisha Harden, who commended the young crop of talent and the vital role they played in the win.
“It makes me so proud, they’re all leaders within their own right, they've got so much ahead of them. They're going to be here for a long time, they're going to be the custodians of this jersey for the next 10-12 years,” Harden, said.
Match: Jillaroos v England
Round 1 -
home Team
Jillaroos
away Team
England
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
