Renee Rockliff and Annie Gibbs part of winning Jillaroos Team

Published On: 3 March 2020

Renee Rockliff and Annie Gibbs were part of The Jillaroos, Australian Women’s Hockey Team that claimed a 4-0 series win over Japan in Canberra.

The four game series between 22-26 February against the Japanese Junior Women’s Team provided some of Australia’s rising stars an opportunity to continue their development.

A close opening game saw the opening half scoreless before Australia’s A Utri took a goal in the third quarter to give Australia the lead ahead of the final quarter. Two quick goals by Japan put them in front with seven minutes to go. Alice Arnott quickly evened the score leading to a penalty shootout. Australia was dominant in the shootout taking the game 3-1.

It was a completely differnt second game with Australia dominant. A 2-1 lead at the half time grew to 3-1 when WA’s Rockliff hit the net in the 41st minute. Australia would run away with the game 5-1 the Jillaroos Head Coach Tim White said the game was tighter than the final scoreline suggested.

A goalless first half continued the series in a closely matched game three before the Jillaroos went on a goal scoring spree on in the second half. Finding the back of the net five times saw them power home to continue their unbeaten run.

The final game seemed to replicate the first with The Jillaroos taking the first goal before Japan added the next two. It was a late equaliser that tied the score at two a piece as the final buzzer sounded again sending it to a penalty shootout. The Jillaroos were too strong in the shootout taking it 2-1 and a clean sweep of the series.

“From the time they came into the training camp and then throughout the series, the players have shown a real hunger to improve,” Jillaroos Head Coach Tim White.

“Collectively in each game we have added certain aspects to make us broader in how we play. You can’t solve everything in match one so what has impressed me is that this group has identified and worked on areas for improvement and really pushed the style of play that we are looking for.”