The Agenda Setters Rugby League on Channel 7: Millie Elliott – ‘Our game is getting bigger’ – Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott says women’s rugby league is “getting bigger”, but she wants to see the gap between nations reduced. Elliott made the comments live on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League on Channel 7 tonight.
Her comments come after a dominant start to the Rugby League World Cup for the Jillaroos, who beat Samoa 40-0 and England 78-0. Earlier in the tournament, TV Central also covered Isabelle Kelly on The Agenda Setters Rugby League, after she was named Jillaroos captain.
Millie Elliott on the international women’s game
David Riccio said the panel was loving the growth of the women’s game. He then asked Elliott how nations such as Wales could continue to develop their own talent, and where the game goes internationally.
In response, Elliott pointed to the men’s game as a model:
Millie Elliott: “Look, internationally, you’ve only got to look at the men’s game to see how well the NRL are doing and how many players are represented in other countries, whether that’s our Pacifica Nations or whether it’s in the Super League.”
‘Some incredible athletes’ in other sports
Elliott said players from other codes could help the women’s game grow.
Millie Elliott: “To have those competitions mimicked so that the females can be playing more often and whether it’s coming from other sports and they’re coming over to the NRLW to play as it grows, whether that’s people from England or Wales or France, whatever it is, our game is getting bigger and there are some incredible athletes that are playing other sports, rugby union per se.”
Millie Elliott on blowout scores
However, she admitted lopsided results are not ideal for the game.
Millie Elliott: “Getting rugby league to be more of that dominant presence internationally would be the goal because we don’t want to see these blowout scores. We know it doesn’t look good for the game, but what are we going to do? You have a try, we have a try.”
Millie Elliott: “It’s a credit to the NRL of what they have done in the NRLW to why the Jillaroos are so successful today, but we’d love to see the gap reduced, absolutely.”
The interview aired at 8.15pm AEDT on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League on Channel 7 and 7plus.
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