Chelsea star Sam Kerr was left on the bench as Australia thrashed New Zealand 5-0 in a friendly on Friday.
Kerr returned to action for Australia during the previous international break in a 3-0 defeat to England at Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium.
Friday’s friendly with New Zealand had been billed as Kerr’s first game on Australian soil in two years, before she suffered her ACL injury in January 2024.
However, the striker remained on the bench, despite Australia cruising to a dominant victory.
Why was Sam Kerr left on the bench?
Sam Kerr did not come off the bench for Australia after feeling “calf tightness” during the pre-match warmup.
The 32-year-old was expected to play some part in the game, in what was an eagerly awaited return to Australia on home soil.
However, her wait to play in front of her home fans will go on, after her calf complaint led to her sitting out the game.
It will come as a concern for club and country after she also missed Chelsea’s final two games before the international break.
Kerr scored a brace in the 6-0 Champions League win over St. Polten, but then sat out 1-1 draws with Liverpool and Barcelona.
Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor said Kerr’s absence for these games were planned before the draw with Barcelona.
WSL stars impress in Australia win over New Zealand
Although Chelsea’s Sam Kerr sat out the game, a pair of Women’s Super League stars impressed during the 5-0 win over New Zealand.
Chelsea’s Ellie Carpenter and Arsenal’s Kyra Cooney-Cross both got their names onto the scoresheet.
Cooney-Cross scored the pick of the goals from 35 yards out, lobbing the New Zealand goalkeeper.
Her goal put Australia 4-0 up, just one minute after Carpenter capitalised on a mistake from a New Zealand defender to score the home side’s third goal.
Amy Sayer, Hayley Raso and Katrina Gorry all got onto the scoreboard.
The two sides will meet again in Adelaide on Tuesday, Australia’s final game ahead of the Asian Cup, which starts in March.
Australia will hope to have Mary Fowler back in time for the tournament, which they will host from March 1st to March 21st.
Kyra Cooney-Cross only scores BANGERS 🔥
Only seconds after the restart KCC produces an unbelievable long-range finish!
🎥 @ParamountPlusAU #Matildas #AUSvNZL #FeelNewSouthWales pic.twitter.com/mXTWkUmjIz
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 28, 2025
Sam Kerr’s return to football
Kerr has had a staggered return to action since making her first appearance since her ACL injury in September, during a Chelsea victory over Aston Villa.
The Australian has more often than not been used as a substitute for Chelsea so far this season.
Despite her limited game time, she is still Chelsea’s joint-top scorer this season with four goals, alongside Aggie Beever-Jones.
Kerr will hope to play some part for Australia on Tuesday during their second friendly with New Zealand.
