New Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner says a neutral soil Test against the Kiwi Ferns would be an "epic" contest in helping to grow women's rugby league among international audiences, after a ruthless 90-4 win over England in Las Vegas.
On Sunday afternoon, eastern Australian time, the Jillaroos ran in 17 tries in the one-sided contest, going within single digits of their biggest ever win and handing England their heaviest defeat in the historic fixture.
Their opposition's only points came as the clock ran out at Allegiant Stadium, and after dominant performances across the Australian line up - including five tries and two assists from Baradha fullback Tamika Upton.
A brutal collision from the first hit-up of the second half soured the affair, which saw England's Vicky Whitfield rushed to hospital and Australia's Sarah Togatuki ruled out of the match following HIA assessment.
The Jillaroos ran in tries from consecutive sets of six on multiple occasions, not willing to take the foot off after entering the break 38-nil in front.
Speaking post-match, Skinner said it was a "proud" moment and "one to remember", before addressing the question on whether her side could face a competitive opposition in future years.
The match was the Barkindji & Ngapuhi/Ngāti Hine coach's first in charge of the national side.
"New Zealand versus Australia here would be epic as well. And we always love standing up and going toe to toe with the Kiwis," she said.
Across the Kiwi Ferns and Jillaroos' previous 10 meetings since 2017, the average margin sits just above two converted tries.
"It'll be another great match up if we play the (Kiwi) Ferns. We're always keen to play them, but we're also really grateful that England came to the party and want to play us here, because if they didn't, this match might not have happened either," Skinner said.
"There's a great platform for them to grow the game in their country and worry about that as well. Women elevating women."
The NRLW competition, despite debuting a year after the UK's Women's Super League in 2018, stands as the women's game premier arena.
Skinned paid credit to the league and clubs for developing the "faster, stronger and fitter" and "smartest" players in the game.
England coach Stuart Barrow said he would consider the selection of heritage-eligible players from the NRLW.
"It would be really easy for us to just keep accepting the challenges of France and Wales and the northern hemisphere and keep doing what we got done to us today," Barrow said.
"We've learned some lessons about what international rugby league is about…we didn't expect that result today."
Before the weekend's match, Australia and England last played each other close to a decade ago.
Jillaroos captain Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Alps were complimentary of the English side despite the lopsided scoreline.
"There's been a long time in between games. We need to be playing them more regularly. They need to hold their heads high," Brigginshaw said.
"They battled when they had the ball, and we just got on a roll there, and it was hard to stop."
Skinner was just as complimentary of Upton after a starring performance.
The Queensland origin star crossed for five tries, had two try assists, ran for 202 metres with the ball and seven tackle breaks, while only having to make the one tackle in defence.
"I still don't think she's reached her peak. She's an incredible athlete, and we all just smile...the things she does, it's just unbelievable," Skinner said.
Skinner also revealed Upton overcame an ankle injury to take part in the match.
"I think she could play half (back) or full back. I don't think we've seen her potential yet," she said.
"I'm so glad she's in rugby league and no other sport has stolen her.
"When you see what a performance she put on and what she's been battling the last couple of days, it's pretty impressive."
