Stuart Barrow has challenged his semi-final-chasing England women’s team to use the lessons from their humbling by Australia in today’s crunch World Cup clash with Samoa.

England were thumped 78-0 by the hosts last Saturday and must now defeat Samoa in Wollongong this morning (6.45am) to book their place in the semi-finals.

Despite last week’s heavy defeat to the overwhelming tournament favourites, Barrow took encouragement from England’s refusal to give up against an Australia side he regards as one of the most dominant in world sport.

“Of course we were really disappointed and the outcome was greater than we expected or wanted,” said Barrow.

England's Vicky Whitfield and Molly Jones as their side loses to Australia.

placeholder image — England's Vicky Whitfield and Molly Jones as their side loses to Australia.

“But I thought the group still fought in the game all the way up until the final whistle. They were still turning up for each other, we just got blown away by a team who I think is one of the most dominant sports teams in the world right now across all sports.

“We went to Perth and there was four points available and we've got two of them. Now we're coming to Wollongong and there's two points available and if we get those two points we're in the semi-final. That's what we're working on and focusing on.

“Training was really good, I was really impressed with the group and the way they've come together and trained excellently over the last two days.”

Beyond the immediate task, Barrow believes facing the world’s best has shown his young squad the standard they're striving to reach.

“We've got a really young group and the young group will be better for this experience because they know where the game can be and what the game can look like, now they've played the best in the world,” he added.

“Hopefully that gives them aspirations to either come out here and play that or to improve our standard back home generally across the women's game and Super League."

Barrow is expecting a physical contest when England lock horns with Samoa for the very first time.

Having watched Samoa in action, England have spent the week working on how to counter that threat.

“It's going to be a physical game and we've made that very aware to the girls, not that they need the coaching staff to tell them that,” added Barrow.

“They've watched the games themselves so we know we're in for a physical battle and we're not shy of that, we've talked about it all week.

“We've looked at ways to combat that, we're comfortable with what we're facing but we know that challenge is going to be a big challenge on Friday night.”

The move from Perth to Wollongong has also brought a change of atmosphere. After playing their opening two games in Western Australia, England have arrived in surroundings where Barrow says Rugby League has a much more visible presence.

“It's rugby league mad and the girls can feel that as they walk through the town,” he added. “People are stopping them to chat so they're getting that little bit of respect they deserve."