Fiji strike first, then Church takes over
Fiji had no business leading the defending champions. They did, though. Luisa Yaranamua kicked a penalty, scored a try and converted it, and Australia found themselves trailing for the first time at this Women’s Rugby League World Cup. The debutants were 8-0 up in Sydney on Sunday.
The Jillaroos needed 25 minutes to answer. Abbi Church scored the first of her four tries, and Tamika Upton added a second four minutes later to level it at 8-8. Jocelyn Kelleher missed both conversions, which kept the margin tight and the nerves alive going into the break.
Church struck again early in the second half, and Jaime Chapman added a try as Kelleher found the target with the boot this time. Church completed her hat-trick after collecting a Tarryn Aiken kick and grounding it. Maria Paseka crossed for Fiji, and Yaranamua converted, but Church had the last word, sidestepping two defenders about 30 metres out before sprinting clear. Final score: Australia 30, Fiji 14.
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A fifth straight final against New Zealand
Australia now meet New Zealand in the final in Brisbane next Sunday, the fifth World Cup decider in a row between the two. The Jillaroos have won the last three, and they have not lost one since the Kiwi Ferns beat them 34-0 in the 2008 final.
They arrived on a hot streak. Australia scored 242 points and conceded just six across their three group games, so the first half against Fiji was a real jolt.
The Kiwi Ferns booked their place on Saturday by beating Samoa 32-0 in the first semi-final in Newcastle.
For Fiji, the tournament still counts as a success. They won group games against Papua New Guinea and France, and they pushed New Zealand to 18-12 in their other pool match, all in their first World Cup.
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