New-look halves pairing Tarryn Aiken and Jocelyn Kelleher led the Jillaroos to a 40-0 victory over Samoa to open the Women's Rugby League World Cup on Friday.

The 2026 NRLW premiership-winning halves duo looked right at home with Kelleher also picking up player of the match in her Test debut at CommBank Stadium.

Three-time Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton added to her highlight reel, delivering three line break and two try assists as well as four tackle breaks while skipper Isabelle Kelly ran for 198 metres.

Despite being held scoreless, Samoa walked away with their heads held high after wrestling back 40 per cent of possession and conceding just two tries in the second half.

Samoa came firing out of the gates but as early fatigue set in, the Jillaroos were quick to capitalise when Tarryn Aiken shifted to the left to create the overlap and Tamika Upton delivered a cut out pass for Jamie Chapman to open the scoreboard.

Australia continued to build pressure with Kelleher and Aiken combining on the right and this time it was Julia Robinson the beneficiary of an Aiken long ball to make it 12-0 18 minutes into the match.

Australia's right edge turned it on again with some slick hands finding Shaylee Bent some space out wide and the second rower raced away for the Jillaroo's third try.

Four minutes later Keeley Nizza darted out of dummy half and put on the footwork to run 30m to the try line. Kelleher converted for a 22-0 lead.

Jocelyn Kelleher enjoyed an outstanding Test debut.

When Amber Hall was penalised for crowding the ruck it was powerhouse lock Olivia Kernick who made her pay after finishing off some slick lead-up play by Kelleher. The debutant five-eighth converted to send her side to the sheds with a 28-point lead.

Samoa wrestle their way back into the contest as both sides traded sets for the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Another error from Hall handed Australia the ball from close range and Kernick took the ball to the line before finding Keilee Joseph in support who crashed her way over the line.

Samoa string together some impressive goal line defence late in the match with 18-year-old debutante Freedom Crichton Ropati making herself known after shooting off the line to lay some impressive shots.

But it was Australia who had the final say with Jess Sergis crashing over in the 67th minute to take the Jillaroos to a 40-0 lead.