Rugby League World Cup: Reigning champions Australia score 14 tries in Cook Islands thrashing

Champions Australia ran in 14 tries as they routed Cook Islands 74-0 to open their women's Rugby League World Cup.

Sam Bremner scored four tries while Evania Pelite - a 2016 Olympic medallist in rugby sevens - bagged a hat-trick on her international debut.

Julia Robinson and Tarryn Aiken got two tries. Caitlan Johnston, Shenae Ciesiolka and Taliah Fuimaono also scored in stormy conditions in York.

Australia previously won the World Cup in 2013 and 2017.

Player of the match Bremner told BBC Sport after the game: "I feel privileged to have played with the best girls in Australia, they did so well. We are so proud to represent our country and we don't take it lightly.

"One good thing about this team is everyone is picky, they all want to do better. We'll definitely go away from this one happy, but not complacent - there is a lot to work on."

New Zealand claim victory over France

New Zealand, beaten by Australia in the previous two finals, earlier got their World Cup off to a strong start with a 46-0 victory over France.

The French were surprisingly on top in the opening 20 minutes, however New Zealand wing Madison Bartlett pierced the defence down the left to open the scoring.

A fortunate second try, as a grubber kick rebounded off the inside of the post to wrong foot a French defender and allow New Zealand full-back Apii Nichols to ground the ball, opened the floodgates.

Amber Hall and Roxy Murdoch-Masila then forced through before the break as the favourites started to motor, leading 20-0 at half-time. New Zealand kept scoring in the second half, Katelyn Vaha'akolo going over twice with Page McGregor, Shanice Parker and Murdoch-Masila, again, also on the scoresheet.

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