Jillaroos lived up to their end of the bargain, but fans need to follow

Seeing the Jillaroos in action is a rare privilege — a collection of the best women's rugby league players in the world, in the sport's global showpiece, on home soil.

The three-time defending champions opened their World Cup at Western Sydney Stadium with a flexing 40-0 win over Samoa, in a campaign that should engage and excite Australians and the vast diaspora of the other competing nations.

While that was the case for the earlier men's game between Samoa and France, with 13,174 fans, mostly representing western Sydney's large Samoan community, they left in large numbers at the end of that game.

And there were very few supporters — Samoan or Australian — left by the end of the women's clash, in a disappointing sight for an event of this stature.

This is not a new dilemma for women's sport. When and where to play, whether to have double headers, how best to engage existing fan bases and draw in new ones?

Women's State of Origin has been a good example of elevating the women's game in its own way, standing separately to the men's series, often in smaller venues, but packing them with passionate fans who are there only to watch the women. And drawing big numbers on TV too.

The World Cup presents a different challenge, with Australia currently in a league of its own on the field and another trophy considered by many as a fait accompli.

But the world is starting to catch up, and as the tournament progresses over the next month, it would be a shame for the event to go under the radar.

Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner summed it up simply afterwards.

"Let's get around women in sport, right? All women in sport, and particularly this Rugby League World Cup. We've got a lot of talented women across all of the teams," she said.

"Stay and support that and the growth. Something really cool is happening in this generation of sport with our ladies, and you're going to miss it.

"There's history making moments over this World Cup, no doubt, and want to see our fans, particularly in the green and gold, to be a part of that. But also just in general, come and have a look."

Samoa coach Frank Pritchard suggested the late 8pm kick off didn't help, and the women were keen to play before the men.

"Our fans and our supporters will always stick through it and and stay there," he said.

"I've seen a lot of blue jerseys out there. We had plenty of support, that's for sure."

Jillaroos captain Isabelle Kelly was less concerned with the crowd, than with ensuring the Jillaroos achieve what they set out to at this tournament. And all signs point to a four-peat.

Jillaroos just warming up

It was a straightforward win for the Australians, who were not at their ruthless, rampaging best, but instead showed they are warming to the task, and will likely ignite as the tournament progresses.

Five-eighth Jocelyn Kelleher had an impressive first outing in the green and gold. She was player of the match on debut, continuing the form that saw her guide the Sydney Roosters to the NRLW Premiership.

"Her kicking game was amazing. And she took her opportunities when she had them as well," Skinner said.

"So couldn't get better than that in a World Cup debut for the Jillaroos, become part of a legacy piece, and you get player of the match. So really proud of her."

Olivia Kernick made crucial gains through the middle, Tamika Upton pulled the strings in bursts without being at her fully devastating best, and Jaime Chapman, Julia Robinson, and Jess Sergis surged as needed, with all seven tries scored by different players.

There were scrappy moments though, times where Samoa's defence jolted, and the visitors found ways to cut through the Australians when going direct.

Freedom Crichton Ropati's bone cruncher on Tiana Penitani Gray in the dying minutes was a highlight, epitomising Fetu Samoa's dedication to valiantly protecting their line, even with the result long gone.

Leading 28-0 at half time, the Jillaroos were restricted to just two tries after the break.

Overall, it was an effort that was enough for the Jillaroos to be content, without being complacent, and for Samoa to find light at the end of the tunnel, rather than wallowing in darkness.

"We spoke about pride in the jersey and what it takes to be here, sea of blue, effort on effort, and definitely showed that in the second half," Pritchard said.

"That second half proved to us that competing and staying in the fight is more than just a footy game."

Starting to see it

Athletes often speak of the honour of representing their country and their family on the world stage.

But for many of the Pasifika nations competing at this tournament, filled with players from the diaspora in Australia and New Zealand, it hits a little different.

As with the men, tears streamed down the faces of the Fetu Samoa players during the national anthem.

And they continued afterwards, not of disappointment, but of deep understanding of what it means to be here.

"What our ladies are doing for our young girls at home with sport in general, especially rugby league, is massive," Pritchard said.

"It's something that our girls can gravitate towards."

It was an especially meaningful game for Evania Isa'ako, who has previously represented Australia.

"For me, it was not just coming and playing and putting on this jersey; it was being able to learn [about the culture]," she said.

"So off the field, culturally, everything that we've done. All the work that Frank's put in behind the scenes… outsourced people to come in and teach us, that's the really important stuff behind the scenes that people don't see."

They might not see it yet, but come the end of the tournament, maybe there'll be more eyes watching.