ENGLAND hooker Keara Bennett knows her side cannot afford to dwell too much on what happened when they last faced Australia, when the two sides meet again on Saturday.
That last meeting in Las Vegas in March 2025 was a day to forget for England, going down 90-4 to a dominant and strong Jillaroos side.
Bennett, alongside Anna Davies, Georgia Roche, Liv Wood, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jodie Cunningham and Vicky Whitfield, are the only players that remain in the squad from that heavy defeat, and those big changes could prove a benefit for England.
“Vegas was a really valuable experience for us,” said Bennett.
“It gave us a real sense of where we’re at and where we need to be better.
“The Australians are the best in the world, we can’t deny that, but it’s great that we have the chance to go out there and right some of those wrongs. But ultimately we have to focus on ourselves and know that we’ve now got an opportunity to go out there and just do better.
“We’ve got a few more NRLW-based players involved this time and the younger girls, who have not been in that sort of environment before, will go into it a bit more ruthless, because they don’t know what to expect, and that will be good for us all.”
Bennett was the starting hooker in Saturday’s opener against Wales, and shared the role with Georgia Roche, who switched from the halves to allow Jenna Foubister to come off the bench and link up with Isabel Rowe.
But with her Leeds Rhinos teammate and back up number nine, Ruby Bruce also in the squad, Bennett would like the chance to see that club partnership given a chance on the international scene as well.
Bruce made her international debut off the bench against Wales last year and earned a second cap against France earlier this year.
“Ruby and I are two very different players who complement each other,” added Bennett.
“She has a good running game and is a young energetic player who can shift the momentum of a game, so I am hoping we can get the best out of Ruby in this tournament.
“She’s worked hard and I’m really proud of her – she really deserves it. I have taken her under my wing and she’s my little protégé.
“It great that she is out here with me and I’m looking forward to seeing her get another chance in an England shirt.”
