The Jillaroos sent a reminder to English rugby league that it is losing touch with the best in the world with a 78-0 hammering in Perth. The 15-tries-to-none victory confirmed the gulf in athleticism and skill between the two hemispheres, and reminded fans the rugby league universe now orbits the Pacific.

The one-sided result showed last year's 90-4 embarrassment in Las Vegas was no outlier, and England's women's team must urgently refocus in time for next week's showdown with Samoa if they hope to reach the semi-finals.

England had not beaten the Jillaroos in four previous meetings, and they made it hard for themselves with a dismal opening five minutes. They were offside from the kick-off, putting them on the back foot immediately.

Australia fullback Tamika Upton slipped through the England line on her first carry. Seconds later, backrower Tiana Penitani Gray – shifted into the starting lineup – drew two tacklers and passed to winger Jaime Chapman, who walked it over.

It got worse, when England's debutant halfback Jenna Foubister kicked the ensuing kick-off out on the full. Jillaroos' five-eighth Jocelyn Kelleher, who made her own bow for Australia last week, launched it on the last tackle with precision, arcing it over English winger Anna Davies. Chapman read the trajectory and leapt into the sky, coming down with the ball over the line for a sparkling try.

Chapman's afternoon had started perfectly, but a knock on handed England the ball inside 20m. Davies appeared to sneak around the Australian early in the set for a try, but the video referee spotted her knee sliding on to the sideline before the ball was grounded. It was as close as the English would come, and from there the match was played almost exclusively up the other end.

Upton was having it all her own way. Another two linebreaks, including another on a kick return and she had accumulated more than 100 metres before the 20-minute mark. In one remarkable effort, Upton appeared to be held by England fullback Fran Goldthorp, but she shrugged her off and put Kelleher over for Australia's third try. Julia Robinson, shifted into the centres from the wing, crossed for the fourth.

Robinson was forced off when the shoulder of Shaylee Bent collected her in a tackle, and she walked off clutching her arm. That injury – suspected to be a broken wrist – triggered another debut and on came the Roosters' NRLW premiership winner Sariah Paki, a two-time Olympian in rugby sevens.

The difference in strength and athleticism between the sides was stark, and after Olivia Kernick almost barged over, the ball went left to emphasise that skill also favoured the hosts. Halfback Tarryn Aiken engaged the line, freezing the cover defence with a straight decoy run from Paki, and Kelleher powered over the line.

The contest was already over, but Jillaroos captain Isabelle Kelly showed no mercy in crossing to make it 30. Winger Abbi Church, brought into the starting side this week, finished a flowing attack and it was 36-0, more points than minutes at half-time.

Aiken, Kernick and substitute Quincy Dodd crossed early in the second half, to post the half century as the Jillaroos cut through the English defence seemingly at will. With twice the possession, three times the run metres and 13 line breaks to nought and still 20 minutes on the clock, this was a contest between colonial frenemies that was long over.

Fortunately, the best team of the world were in the mood for entertaining. One chip and chase from Kelleher was regathered then handed off to Upton who put over Church. It was the best moment of the match, and proof even a shellacking like this can draw a smile.

Forward Makenzie Weale scored a try on debut after coming off the bench, sprinkling the stacked scoreboard with an ounce of storyline. Penitani Gray, Kelly and Bent added late four pointers to bring the final score to 78-0, giving the English fans in Perth whiplash after their men had earlier defeated France 82-0.

Australia play Wales next Sunday in Sydney, another almost automatic victory for the hosts. The going will get tougher in the semi-finals, however. A likely clash looms against Fiji, who pushed the Kiwi Ferns in the opening round and easily accounted for Papua New Guinea 40-4 in Port Moresby earlier on Saturday.

England face a challenge in their third match against Fetu Samoa, who thrashed Wales 76-0 on Friday. After this defeat they will need a win on Friday to make their way into the semi-finals, where they will likely meet New Zealand. But given the Samoans held the Jillaroos to 40 points last week, the underwhelming English might want to have their bags packed.